Promotion dreams boosted by key win - The Redditch Standard

Promotion dreams boosted by key win

Redditch Editorial 17th Jan, 2019   0

REDDITCH put daylight between themselves and the promotion-chasing pack thanks to a vital 3-2 victory over fellow high-flyers Ludlow on Saturday.

The two sides met last month in the knockout England Hockey Tier 3 Championships and in that game Ludlow were victorious to move into the next round of the competition, but Redditch got their revenge in this key West Midlands One fixture.

However, much like the rest of this season so far, Redditch were slow to get going. In the first half, Ludlow were first to every ball and Redditch were careless in possession.

At half-time the Kingfishers were 2-0 down having created very few chances and without having even won a penalty corner.




The second half was vastly improved though as the visitors worked hard for each other and they got on the scoresheet thanks to some individual brilliance from Pete Dawson who skilfully made his way into the D before unleashing a reverse stick strike past the goalkeeper.

Andy Billingham put in a good performance at centre back, distributing the ball well, but it was goalkeeper Joe Cardy who was named man of the match by his team-mates after a string of saves, including one from a penalty stroke which kept his team in contention.


The equaliser came midway through the second half as good build-up play from Harry Williams found Daniel Waite on the baseline and he squared the ball to top scorer Jacob Beard to scramble home from close range.

It was Beard who scored the winner too, this time a good team goal – with the build-up starting with Billingham in defence who played the ball into veteran Chris Thomas in the centre of the field.

He spread the ball wide to youngster Luke Baker who made great progress on the right, fending off the Ludlow defenders to find Beard in the D who fired a fierce shot home – his 12th goal of the season.

Second-placed Redditch now sit three points above both Ludlow and Stourport 2nds at the halfway point of the season. The Kingfishers, who trail leaders Market Drayton by three points, visit mid-table Stafford on Saturday.

Redditch captain Adrian Young said: “The result has added significance as in recent years Ludlow have had the better of Redditch. This win was the first victory for Redditch away at Ludlow since November 2009.”

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