REDDITCH Ladies faced a tough start to the Worcestershire League Division One season as they fielded a mixture of new and experienced players in their home game against Harborne 3rds, but the hosts showed plenty of fighting spirit to earn a 1-1 draw.
Led well by Jodie Williams, Redditch played positively and led 1-0 at half time thanks to an impressive goal by Vicky Allen.
After a strong team talk, Redditch continued to shine, but the visitors were able to grab a second half equaliser.
Redditch Ladies host Bournville on Saturday.
REDDITCH completed their pre-season campaign in fine fashion as they defeated Hampton-in-Arden 7-1 on Saturday.
The Kingfishers, who begin their West Midlands Division One season with a trip to Barlaston on Saturday, began the first half full of confidence and were the dominant side as goals from Callum Pace, Daniel Waite, Jacob Beard and Harry Capewell (2) gave them a 5-0 lead.
Many of these were superb team goals and will give skipper Pete Dawson great confidence as his side gel together well.
Redditch continued to boss possession in the second half and another goal was added to the tally by Johnny Styzaker, who then followed it up with another well worked goal to take his personal tally for the game to two.
A lapse in concentration in defence allowed Hampton to bag a consolation goal, but it could not dampen the enthusiasm generated by a fourth successive friendly win for Redditch, who also won the Summer League.
REDDITCH 3rds will also head into their West Midlands Division One campaign – which begins with a trip to Droitwich on Saturday – on the back of a friendly success after defeating Hampton-in-Arden 5-2.
The Kingfishers fielded a very young side, as many of the Badgers stepped up to gain experience of playing men’s hockey.
Hampton took the lead as Redditch took their time to settle but it was soon 1-1 when a short corner struck by Josh Baker was deflected in by Neil Cardy, who had only previously played two games of hockey prior to this.
Redditch kept the pressure on and bagged a further two goals – one for the youngest player in the team Josh Baker – and the other from the most experienced player and skipper Wayne Beard as the Kingfishers took a 3-1 lead into half time.
Redditch began the second half as they finished the first with a great deflection by Ethan Reeves at the back post extending their lead, only for Hampton to stay in touch with their second goal soon afterwards.
However, Redditch had the final say as Harry Williams grabbed a goal to complete the scoring.
