Oliver: Droitwich can compete with the big guns - The Droitwich Standard

Oliver: Droitwich can compete with the big guns

Droitwich Editorial 9th Aug, 2016 Updated: 17th Oct, 2016   0

DROITWICH Spa joint-boss Wayne Oliver is hoping his side will once again be a force to be reckoned with as the new Midland League Division Two season gets underway this weekend.

Spa begin the 2016/17 season at the King George Playing Fields on Saturday with a tasty clash against a resurgent Coton Green outfit and go into the season opener on the back of a 1-1 draw at higher-ranked Littleton.

Max Crisp had given Spa the lead in the first half before their Midland League Division One opponents salvaged a draw five minutes from the end last night (Monday).

Despite being held to a draw, Oliver told the Standard he was delighted to see his players put on a strong show and wants Spa to compete with the likes of Coton Green, Paget Rangers and last season’s unbeaten league champions Alvis Sporting Club, all of whom he thinks will be fighting for the top three spaces.




“The performance against Littleton was probably the best I have seen all pre-season,” he said.

“Myself and Mark Owen were pleased to organise the friendly against Littleton and we were pleased with the attitudes the players showed.


“It was a good exercise for both teams and hopefully we can take the good performance into the opening game of the new season.

“The squad is shaping up well as we haven’t made too many changes and we’ll be looking to compete against all the sides in the division.

“It’s a tough start against Coton Green but nothing is guaranteed, you have to earn the right to win and we need to be consistent all season.

“Nobody is going to give us anything now as sides have clocked on to how we play so we’ve had to set up differently to mix things up.”

Ahead of Saturday’s clash, Oliver will be without Matthew Hunt, Andrew Crowther and Luke Molloy but Aston Gunter could be in line for his competitive debut after the youngster officially joined from Bromyard Town.

The 20-year-old winger spent two seasons at Bromyard, playing a huge part in the promotion winning side to the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division before being relegated at the end of last season.

Gunter had been on trial with Spa throughout pre-season but after impressing in games, Oliver and Owen jumped at the chance to sign him.

Meanwhile, Joe Mayo-Braiden has departed the King George Playing Fields and moved to fellow Division Two rivals Fairfield Villa.

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