WE CANNOT afford to make any more mistakes if we want to secure promotion, that is the cry of Droitwich Spa joint-boss Wayne Oliver ahead of their trip to Sutton United this weekend.
The Midland League Division Two leaders travel to Hollyfield Road on Saturday hoping to bounce back from their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Redditch Borough.
Borough then did the Saltmen a favour yesterday (Tuesday) as they secured a 5-2 victory at promotion hopefuls Paget Rangers who on Saturday had beaten second placed Alvis Sporting Club 2-0.
Boldmere-based Rangers sit 15 points behind Spa and have four games in hand.
Oliver will be without midfielder Jack Allerton (away) for the trip to Sutton Coldfield but is boosted by the return of defender and skipper Mike Seeley.
And the Spa boss has urged his side they must not make any more slip-ups.
“I went to watch Redditch on Tuesday and they have put themselves right in the mix,” he said.
“Looking at the fixtures, Redditch have an easier run in and they are certainly capable of a top three finish or even top two.
“Every game is a must-win for us now and if the players show anything less than promotion winning credentials, the door opens for other sides behind us to overtake us.
“One slip-up opens the door for teams like Redditch, Fairfield and Coton Green so we cannot afford to be complacent this weekend.”
Spa’s 11-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end as goals in each half from Garrath Hodgetts and Liam Fullerton ensured Borough came away with the spoils at the King George Playing Fields.
And joint-boss Oliver told the Standard he had no complaints with the defeat.
“Redditch were the better side on the day and they deserved to win,” he added.
“We were not at the races and I am hoping it was just a bad day at the office.
“We had Seeley and Max [Crisp] missing but that should not have made a difference as we have plenty of options.
“It’s time to see what response we will get from the players this weekend.”
