NEWLY-PROMOTED Redditch showed tremendous battling qualities to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw in their Midlands Three opener at home to promotion favourites Cannock on Saturday.
The Kingfishers made a bright start to the game but against the run of play they fell a goal down.
Redditch maintained plenty of possession though and soon drew level when Joel Haslam managed to deflect the ball home to cap a fine team move.
Cannock then started to mobilise and quickly responded by netting two quickfire goals to lead 3-1 at half-time.
Shortly into the second half captain Jacob Beard reduced the arrears for Redditch before the game became very feisty as multiple players received yellow cards, with Cannock being reduced to nine men at one point.
A bit of good luck meant skipper Beard was able to tap in his second goal of the game to make it 3-3 and Redditch continued to dominate the game, but a winning goal proved elusive.
Redditch 2nds arrived at Worcester 4ths with only nine players due to late arrivals but the visitors still emerged 7-2 victors.
Trying a new formation proved to be the key to their success and they were able to walk away with a fine win through goals from James Browning (2), John Manison (2), Lee Beedon (2) and Harrison Young.
Mark Gosnell bagged a brace to help Redditch 3rds recover from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Worcester 5ths.
Other results: Ladies 1sts lost 4-1 to Stourport 4ths; Badgers lost 3-1 to Stourport.