JOINT-BOSS Wayne Oliver is hoping Droitwich Spa can get one over their old foes Bloxwich Town in the first round of the Les James Challenge Cup this weekend.
The Saltmen travel to the Black Country side on Saturday to kick-off the 2017/18 campaign in exactly similar fashion to the season just gone.
Spa were beaten 2-1 by Bloxwich last August and this time around Oliver says he wants to put the record straight.
“We always have some good battles with them,” he said.
“They are a very good side but struggled with getting a consistent side out last year.
“Obviously we are looking to improve on how we fared against them last season but we know it is going to be a tough game.
“August is a funny month because players are away on holiday, getting married and involved in the cricket so we will see what happens.
“We will give it our best shot and go from there.”
Spa go into their cup tie on the back of a 12-0 victory over Inkberrow at the King George Playing Fields.
Nick Seabourne and Macauley Finch both bagged hat-tricks while Bradley Burgess (2), Haydn Morris (2), Max Crisp and Joe Mayo-Braiden also netted.
“The scoreline did not do Inkberrow justice as they played quite well,” said Oliver.
“It was good to see plenty of attacking football and lots of goals but that is what pre-season is all about.
“I am not reading too much into results because that’s not what pre-season is about.
“It’s unfortunate we are in cup action and everyone else is in league action this weekend but we just have to play with the cards we have been dealt.”
Spa then kick-off their Midland League Division Two campaign the following Wednesday when they entertain Pelsall Villa, who got relegated from Division One last term, at Stourport’s Walshes Meadow.
And with season tickets flying out the window, Oliver is expecting for good turn-outs throughout the campaign.
“We don’t expect the crowds to be as big as what we had at the King George’s because they were phenomenal,” he said.
“But I think we are going to be in for some decent turn-outs to cheer the lads on.
“We have not set a target for this season because we will give it our best shot but to finish inside the top four will be a huge achievement given the quality of sides in the division this year.”
