REDDITCH head into Saturday’s home game against rampant leaders Market Drayton buoyed by their return to the top two thanks to a 3-2 victory at fellow promotion hopefuls Bromsgrove.
In what is an incredibly tight West Midlands Division One, the Kingfishers are one of three teams on 19 points from nine games and sit just two points above Bromsgrove who slipped to sixth as a result of their defeat.
Redditch will almost certainly need a better performance than their previous outing if they are to take points off unbeaten Market Drayton, but the Kingfishers can take huge heart from the grit and determination shown in seeing off Bromsgrove.
Redditch again fell behind when captain Adrian Young’s mistake left his side vulnerable to a speedy counter-attack which ended with Bromsgrove finding the net.
Redditch thought a response was going to be almost instant as Pete Dawson broke through the Bromsgrove defence with just the keeper to beat but he slipped the ball to his left and his onrushing team-mates were unable to get on the end of it.
However, the visitors were level before half-time when a routine short corner was deflected home by man of the match Andy Billingham for his second goal of the season.
At times in the second half, Redditch could not make use of the possession they enjoyed as Bromsgrove worked hard to pressurise every ball and the game became fiercely competitive.
Redditch were determined though and it was Dawson who gave the Kingfishers the lead with his sixth goal of the season.
Bromsgrove instantly hit back to level and the game was heading for a draw when, with less than five minutes to go, Redditch pressed forward and were rewarded when Dan Waite’s shot was initially saved by the goalkeeper before he pounced on the rebound and slotted home.
A few tense minutes followed but Redditch held on to secure a valuable victory.
