DROITWICH Spa joint-boss Wayne Oliver has urged his players to build on their good start to the new Midland League Division Two season.
After being held to an opening day 1-1 draw to ambitious Coton Green at the King George Playing Fields on Saturday, the Saltmen recorded their first three points of the new campaign with a comprehensive 7-2 victory over local rivals Feckenham on Tuesday night.
Braces from James Lemon, Nick Seabourne and Luke Molly and a strike from James Halsall secured the win for Oliver’s side who have got off to a similar start to the previous campaign, picking up four points from their opening two league encounters.
Spa now face a week off before facing Bloxwich Town in the first round of the Les James Challenge Cup on Saturday, August 27 before taking on local rivals Fairfield Villa at the KGPF on Bank Holiday Monday (August 29).
With two tough fixtures in the space of three days on their return to action, Oliver is calling on his players to maintain their positive start.
“We’ve had a decent start to the season and hopefully we can build upon our good start going into our the next two games,” he said.
“Against Coton Green we had enough chances to win the game but couldn’t take them and they scored with their one chance in the second half.
“I wasn’t disappointed with the result, just with the performance as we never really hit what we should have been hitting.
“That said, on Tuesday we was absolutely blistering in the first half and smashed our way to a 5-0 lead at half-time.
“Second half we took the gas off a little but we’re not too downhearted with conceding two goals.
“We won’t a have a full strength side until September and we’ve got square pegs going into round holes.”
NEW SIGNING
Meanwhile, 19-year-old left back Jamie Smith has joined the Saltmen from National League North outfit Worcester City on a dual registration.
Smith made 22 appearances for the Blue and Whites over the last three seasons and after being told by boss Carl Heeley to look elsewhere for first team football, Oliver and fellow joint-manager Mark Owen jumped at the chance to sign the talented left-sided player.
The gifted youngster made an instant impact for Spa, getting the assist from a pin-point corner in the opening game against Coton Green as well as showing off his range of passing and positional play.
“Jamie’s a very versatile player and actually, we were not looking to bring anyone in for his main position which is left back,” Oliver added.
“However, with players away and the squad very low on numbers, he’ll provide us with plenty options. It’s a very good addition to our ranks.”
Spa will also begin the defence of their Worcestershire FA Saturday Junior Cup on Saturday, September 24 against Villa.
This is the second successive year the two sides have faced each other in the opening round of the county cup.
