JOINT-BOSS Wayne Oliver praised Droitwich Spa’s complete performance as they maintained top spot in Midland League Division Two with a 1-0 victory at bogey side Coton Green.
Table-topping Spa had not won at New Mill Lane in the past three seasons but Louis Bridges’ first half strike was enough to secure all three points for the visitors.
After beating January’s team of the month for Division Two, Oliver told the Standard he could not have asked for a better performance at a crucial stage of the campaign.
“It was the best away performance of the season without shadow of a doubt,” he said.
“We was disciplined, organised and dug in because we had a few chances before we scored.
“We restricted Coton Green to long range efforts and saw the game out so we was pleased to come away with the three points.
“Coton is always a difficult place to go to, whether it be first or last game of the season, so to win was great but in the longer scheme of things its one less game we have to worry about.”
Spa, who are on a five-game unbeaten run in the league, will hope to keep their promotion hopes alive tomorrow (Saturday) when they welcome third-from-bottom Smithswood Firs to the King George Playing Fields (3pm KO).
Smithswood beat the Saltmen 1-0 on Boxing Day last year as Sam Hulme’s 77th-minute striker gave the home side a deserved victory in the eye’s of Oliver.
“They should have won by a bigger margin on that day,” he added.
“From a motivational point I should not have to say a lot to the players but of course it’s going to be a difficult game.”
Midfielder Graham Pardoe returns to the Spa squad on Saturday but strikers Luke Molloy and Aston Gunter remain sidelined through injury while Adam Granger misses out due to personal commitments.
