REDDITCH Hockey Club’s men’s first team continued their rich vein of form with an emphatic 5-1 victory over visitors Stafford in the West Midlands Premier Division on Saturday.
Goals were spread throughout the team, who are playing with new-found confidence in their ability to score freely on the break.
Callum Pace, Pete Dawson, Steve Cook, Richard Sellors and Dan Waite all got on the scoresheet and a show of complete dominance over the 70 minutes was only marred somewhat by a lapse in concentration which allowed the visitors a consolation goal.
On Saturday fifth placed Redditch visit Ludlow hoping to continue their run of wins.
REDDITCH 2nds went down to a 3-1 loss at leaders Droitwich in West Midlands Division Two.
The visitors started the match on the back foot and had to defend against some aggressive Droitwich attacks, with Joe ‘Hound’ Cardy being called into action a number of times – the pick of these being a point-blank reverse stick strike which Cardy chested away with confidence and ease.
Redditch fought hard to get back into the game, with Shimmy making his debut and linking up well with the experienced Fitzpatrick down the Redditch left to force pressure back on to Droitwich.
Walton in the centre of the Redditch midfield seemed here, there and everywhere, constantly making a nuisance of himself with effect against the strong and fluent Droitwich midfield.
The visitors were left aggrieved by what they deemed to be some unusual umpiring decisions and once of these led to a penalty corner which Droitwich switched around crisply to score from before half time.
In the second half Droitwich continued pressing and a well placed pass between the stranded Cardy and Fowkes split the defence and allowed Droitwich to move 2-0 up.
Redditch did not give up and a drilled pass from Baker at the back to Fitzpatrick in the opposition’s D presented Fitzpatrick with oceans of space and he kept his cool to drill a superb shot past the Droitwich keeper.
The Kingfishers continued to press and looked likely to equalise but against the run of play the hosts made it 3-1.
A particular highlight in this game was the form of Redditch keeper Cardy, who pulled off two superb saves in the second half.
Redditch will hope to have some of their key players back for Saturday’s (3pm) home fixture against Old Wulfrunians.
A SECOND defeat of the season came the way of Redditch 3rds who lost 3-1 at Streetly in West Midlands Division One.
The visitors started the game slowly and a mix-up in the Redditch defence allowed the hosts to open the scoring, but Redditch then got into their rhythm and Terry Dean scored with a powerful shot past the Streetly goalkeeper.
In the second half Redditch came out the stronger team and took the game to Streetly but then, after another defensive slip-up, it was Josh Checkley who got the final touch on a strong Streetly shot and the ball deflected past the Redditch keeper.
Another goal really put a flattering scoreline on the game for the hosts and mid-table Redditch will hope for better luck on Saturday when they host Old Wulfrunians.
THERE was no action for the Redditch Ladies teams but Redditch Badgers, captained by Sam Mansell, did take to the field to host Stourport.
After an end-to-end start to the game Redditch were awarded a penalty corner in the fifth minute and Harry Williams took the shot, which was blocked by the keeper, but Williams followed up on the rebound and fired the ball home for his first goal of the season.
Stourport drew level two minutes later but just ten minutes afterwards Jack Drysdale found himself with the ball in the D and neatly slotted it past the keeper into the bottom corner of the goal.
The second half was well fought by both teams and both defences worked hard to ensure no more goals were scored, which meant Redditch could celebrate a 2-1 victory.
The Badgers visit Worcester on Saturday (3pm).
