REDDITCH require a huge favour in Saturday’s season finale in order to win promotion from West Midlands Division One after suffering a costly 5-1 defeat at fellow hopefuls Market Drayton.
The Kingfishers slipped to fourth as a result and will need to win at home to third-placed Ludlow this weekend (1.30pm) as well as hoping second-placed Stourport 2nds are beaten at home by relegated West Bromwich in order to stand a chance of finishing second.
Even then, Redditch will need a goal difference swing of seven in their favour across the two games in order to climb into second place. Leaders Market Drayton, despite only being three points above Redditch, are out of sight as their goal difference is 23 better than the Kingfishers’. The Shropshire side know a point at Bournville 2nds will clinch promotion and a victory the title.
Saturday’s match was a disaster from start to finish for Redditch as motorway closures meant the visitors arrived in Shropshire later than scheduled and were only able to ‘enjoy’ a feeble warm-up and quick team talk.
Redditch took to the field and it was obvious from the start the hosts were seeking revenge for the 3-0 defeat they had suffered at Redditch before Christmas.
The hosts’ direct style of play pressurised the Redditch defence from the outset and they soon went ahead from a penalty corner.
The visitors battled hard to get themselves into the game and, after goalkeeper Joe Cardy pulled off a string of fine saves, Redditch only trailed 1-0 at half-time.
At the start of the second half, Redditch were in the ascendancy and were rewarded with an equaliser from a well-taken reverse stick strike from Pete Dawson.
Momentum was building and Redditch were on top and unlucky when Jacob Beard’s short corner drag flick whistled past Andy Billingham on the left-hand post and Dan Waite was unfortunate to see a first-time effort at goal go just wide.
Unfortunately for Redditch though, Market Drayton got a second goal against the run of play as again they went route one and managed to win a fortuitous penalty corner which gave them the lead.
This took the wind out of the young Redditch team’s sails and, as frustrations grew, Redditch began to chase the game and throw bodies forward which played into the hosts’ hands.
Market Drayton scored three goals in quick succession and, even though the final score was harsh on Redditch, this was little consolation as they returned home knowing realistically their promotion hopes are all but over.
