DROITWICH Spa joint-manager Wayne Oliver insists a good start is paramount should the Saltmen wish to enjoy another successful Midland League Division Two campaign.
Spa recorded their highest ever league finish last season, claiming third place as well as two pieces of silverware in the Worcestershire FA Saturday Junior Cup and the Presidents Cup.
Emulating those heroics will be tough for Oliver’s and Mark Owen’s Saltmen as they begin their league campaign with a home fixture against a resurgent Coton Green on August 13.
Spa then have two local derbies to complete the month as they travel to Feckenham on August 16 before welcoming Fairfield Villa to the King George Playing Fields on August 29.
Oliver said: “The whole season is going to be tough and it’s going to be hard to emulate what we achieved last season but if we wish to succeed again, it’s paramount we hit the ground running.
“Coton Green are an ambitious club and have gone through a lot of changes so they’ll be a real tough test for us.
“We drew 0-0 at Feckenham last season so that will be a tough game while Fairfield have reshaped and restructured so they’re an unknown entity but we expect a tough battle.
“Paget Rangers and Alvis Sporting Club are certainly going to be the favourites for the league this season but with Continental Star dropping two divisions from the Midland League Premier, we cannot let them go un-noticed.”
Spa claimed their second win of pre-season on Saturday as they ran out comfortable 6-0 winners over Malvern Town Reserves thanks to a brace from James Lemon and one each from Nick Seabourne, Andrew Crowther, Bradley Burgess and Mike Seeley.
Wednesday night’s scheduled friendly against Darlaston Town was cancelled meaning Spa return to pre-season action on Saturday afternoon at Midland League Division One outfit Pershore Town.
“We reshuffled our squad against Malvern and gave everybody some much-needed game time,” Oliver added.
“Results don’t mean anything but we performed really well and our legs started to fade around the 75 minute mark.
“We created a lot of chances which is a positive sign but we also missed some too which we will look to improve on.
“This weekend we will just be looking to push the lads further and maybe last 80 to 85 minutes, that’s our aim.”
Meanwhile, Spa have been drawn away to Bloxwich Town (formerly Rostance Edwards) in the opening round of the Les James Challenge Cup on August 27.
