MANAGER Liam McDonald has hailed the growing maturity within the Redditch United ranks after watching his side claim two important victories in the Southern League Premier Division.
The Reds produced dominant displays to win 2-1 at Hitchin Town on Saturday and 1-0 at home to Slough Town on Monday – results which have left them in the play-off places as they prepare for what McDonald has hailed a “massive” home against Dorchester Town on Saturday.
With midfielder Jamey Osborne again turning in outstanding displays in both matches – having a hand in Saturday’s goals for Danny Dubidat and George Carline before delivering a delicious 62nd minute corner from which Will Richards nodded home Monday’s winner – the Reds have looked an assured outfit and the boss is pleased with his side’s endeavours.
“The lads look comfortable in what they are doing in respect of game management and defending a lead with confidence,” said McDonald, whose side face a daunting test at currently second placed Leamington on Tuesday.
“We played some excellent football on Saturday at Hitchin which is never an easy place to get a result and then there was more of the same on Monday, particularly in the first half.
“We have created plenty of chances and if we can improve our conversion rate, which I think we can, then we could make life a lot more easier for ourselves at times.
“That said, the boys have responded well to the two defeats we had recently with a very good point against Weymouth which could have easily been a victory and then two good wins on top of that.
“It’s a massive game for us on Saturday now against Dorchester because a win in that one could open up a bit of a gap over the chasing sides and would set us up nicely for Leamington on Tuesday.
“The lads are really excited about that game, there’s been a bit of talk about it, and that enthusiasm is great but we’ve got a big task on our hands with Dorchester first.
“I’ve already said what a tough period of fixtures we are involved in currently and in the next few weeks and if we come through it with flying colours we would be very handily placed as we haven’t played many of the sides involved in the battle at the bottom, whereas many of our competitors have.”
McDonald, who revealed midfielder Simeon Maye was a month away from a return from a broken foot and versatile Jamie Ashmore was facing a couple of months on the sidelines with his knee ligaments injury, is hoping to add a midfielder to his squad over the next week.
He added: “I’ve got every faith in the squad I’ve got and some of the young lads who have come in and played their part like Cameron Young have done really well, but the injuries have left us a bit light and we could do with some help in midfield so hopefully we’ll get the deal done.”
