JOINT-BOSS Wayne Oliver stressed Droitwich Spa must quickly put to bed their FA Vase celebrations for this weekend’s Presidents Cup first round clash against Knowle.
The Saltmen, playing in the Vase for the very first time in their history on Saturday, booked their place in the second qualifying round with a 3-1 after extra-time victory over higher-ranked Pegasus Juniors who ply their trade in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division.
Victory now sets up a tie at Shropshire side Shifnal Town, also of the West Midlands Premier, on Saturday, September 23.
But before then Oliver’s and Mark Owen’s men welcome Knowle to Walshes Meadow on Saturday, having already beaten them 1-0 in Midland League Division Two a fortnight ago.
They then travel to AFC Wulfrunians on Tuesday night for a Polymac Packaging League Cup encounter.
“If we don’t attack our next games properly we could be out of the all the cups we have entered in,” said Oliver.
“Knowle will be a tough test as they are a hard team to break down and I expect nothing less than that from them.
“Despite how good it was to get through in the Vase, it is important to put that hype to bed now and focus on Saturday.”
Ben Price gave Pegasus a 55th-minute lead on Saturday and with time running out, Spa played their get out of jail free card in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Matthew Hunt headed home Max Crisp’s corner.
Goals from James Lemon and Bradley Burgess in extra-time then secure Spa’s place in the next round.
“When Matty scored with the last kick of the game we just went ballistic,” Oliver said.
“There seemed to be only one winner from that point on and we were very pleased to have progressed.”
