DEFEAT to Paget Rangers has all-but ended Droitwich Spa’s hopes of clinching promotion according to Saltmen joint-boss Wayne Oliver.
Yesterday, Spa travelled to in-form Rangers for a must-win clash but slipped up in their promotion charge as goals from Craig Evans and Rioul Kousseba-Bakala secured the win for the home side.
Spa remain third in the Midland League Division Two table, six points behind fellow promotion chasers Chelmsley Town having played one game more.
“We are playing for third and fourth place now after the defeat to Paget,” Oliver said.
“It’s not mathematically impossible for us to secure promotion but we’re having to rely now on results around us.
“Tuesday was a season defining match and the focus now is to finish above Paget as they’re on a real good run of form.
“If we lose on Saturday and they win, they’ll be one point behind so we need to make sure we finish above them.”
Spa’s next game sees them welcome Chelmsley to the King George Playing Fields on Saturday for the fourth encounter between the two sides.
Oliver’s side have beaten Chelmsley twice this season, 2-1 and 3-1 in the Les James Challenge Cup and Presidents Cup respectively, while losing the league encounter 2-1 at the start of March.
Ahead of the clash, Spa will be without the suspended Bradley Burgess while Jack Brighton (ribs) remains doubtful and Oliver is hoping to secure all three points in the club’s final home game of the season.
“We’ve played them three times already this season but it will be the first time Chelmsley have visited our ground,” he said.
“We’ll be bringing our passing game on Saturday and looking to end the season on a high.
“If we win, we’ll close the gap on Chelmsley but it will still be a tough ask to climb up to the promotion spots.
“It would be nice to see a huge crowd turnout for our final home game so we can send them away with a smile.
“The fans have been immense as they’ve turned out in their numbers in all weathers, home and away.
“The supporters have been brilliant and we could not have asked for much more.”
Spa’s final fixtures of the season:
April 26 – Fairfield Villa – MFL2
April 28 – Sutton United – MFL2
April 30 – Worcester Raiders – WJC Final
May 2 – Alvis Sporting Club – MFL2
May 7 – Rostance Edwards – MFL2
May 9 – Alvis Sporting Cluib – Presidents Cup Final
