The Saltmen got 2023 off to the best possible start at Kingys with a fantastic 3-0 victory over in-form OJM Black Country in front of 360 spectators.

Going in to the game, six points and one place either side of play-off qualification separated the two sides, and an open and attacking game was expected by many.

As a spectacle, and on a difficult surface, the contest certainly didn't live up to the above description as a cagey and close 90 minutes short on goal attempts was played out, however Spa won't mind, as they registered a first win of the season over a side above.

Both defences were on top throughout, and whilst OJM edged the first period on possession, Matt Oliver was only required to make a handful of routine stops.
Spa's attacking threat was also for the most part quashed by a well organised OJM defence, with only a James Lemon effort coming close to the target before Haydn Morris broke the deadlock on 34 minutes.

A deep cross from the right evaded Lemon and his marker, but Morris stooped to head home in front of his marker at the back post.
Casey Collins had the best chance of the half for the visitors when his effort from the edge of the area flashed narrowly wide of Oliver's goal, and before the break, a powerful strike from Alex Dugmore at close range gave the Saltmen a 2-0 lead.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Casey Collins again missed the target for OJM when well positioned, being the visitors best chance, as both Spa and OJM defended their lines well.
There was little to comment on until 12 minutes from time when the recently introduced Spa sub Ollie Thompson was brought down in the area, and the returning Connor Collins expertly converted the penalty giving Gill in the OJM goal no chance.
Collins had missed 2-months through injury, but netted his 8th of the season, and the striker almost got a 9th,however his header went just over the bar.

OJM could have scored a consolation late on when a thumping shot from 25-yards took a couple of deflections before cannoning back off the cross-bar, but Droitwich held on comfortably for an excellent victory against a side who had won 10 of their last 12 games, to close the gap to the play-offs with games in hand.

Andy Crowther's men face another difficult test on Saturday when the Saltmen travel to Tamworth to face 7th placed Coton Green (ko 3pm).
Spa are just 1 point ahead of the fellow newly promoted side going in to the game, who also registered an excellent win at in-form Nuneaton Griff this afternoon, and won 0-2 at Kingys earlier in the season.