SOME excellent goals were scored as Redditch made a superb start to the West Midlands Premier Division season with a 6-2 victory at West Bromwich on Saturday.
Captain Dan Waite fired a first half hat-trick to put the visitors 3-0 up at half time, but some poor decision-making let West Brom back into the game early in the second half and they reduced their arrears to 3-2.
Redditch did not crack though and immediately restored a two-goal cushion with a goal from Pete Dawson.
The rout was completed with a fourth goal for Waite and another from Steve Cook, leaving the Kingfishers in fine spirits heading into Saturday’s game at home to Solihull Blossomfield.
THE OUTCOME was reversed in the 2nd team game between the sides as West Brom claimed a 3-0 away win in West Midlands Division Two.
The hosts made a bright start and Dave Baker’s short corner strike was cleared off the line before Steve Jones’ flick hit the post.
However, Redditch were unable to turn this pressure into a lead and West Brom fought back strongly to take a 1-0 lead into the break.
Redditch struggled to regain the first half momentum in the second period and, although they pressed forward, they were not clinical enough in the final quarter of the pitch to turn possession outside of the D into scoring opportunities and goals.
West Brom continued to attack fluently and at pace as their young players executed the basics well and put more pressure on the Redditch back line, who battled hard to try and keep them at bay.
Young Joe Cardy made his league debut in goal and even his heroics with some fantastic saves were not enough as West Brom scored two further goals in the second half – the last being a well drilled short corner routine.
Redditch travel to Evesham on Saturday hoping to put in a better team performance in search of their first win of the new campaign.
THERE was better news for Redditch 3rds who started their West Midlands Division One season with a 2-0 home victory over Market Drayton.
The first half saw both teams playing end-to-end hockey, with Redditch both attacking and defending well to keep out Market Drayton.
The second half started the way the first had ended with both teams having some good chances but it was Redditch who took the lead ten minutes from time through a well worked short corner routine which saw Barry Fitzpatrick fire past the impressive Market Drayton goalkeeper.
After a dangerous Market Drayton attack, which the Redditch defence did well to thwart, Redditch made sure of deserved maximum points when Adam Haslam put the finishing touches to an impressive counter-attack.
Redditch 3rds visit Kings Heath Pickwick on Saturday.
REDDITCH Ladies sit second in the Worcestershire League Division One table – behind leaders Harborne 3rds on goal difference only – thanks to a 7-1 home victory over Barford Tigers who, like Redditch, went into the match defending a 100 per cent record after two games.
Five incredible goals were scored in the first half – three hammered home by enthusiastic forward Ruth Waite, one slipped past the keeper by youngster Nathalie Frisch and a fantastic short corner from Anna Stafford.
During the second half Redditch dropped their guard and conceded a great goal from the Tigers, but the hosts quickly retaliated as an outstanding one-two between Lindsay Morris and Stafford resulted in a beautifully worked goal before Emma Preston’s wonderfully struck short corner put the icing on the cake.
Saturday brings a fine chance for Redditch to continue their winning ways as they visit a Harborne 4ths side without a point to their name.
Redditch Ladies 2nds lost 3-0 at Kings Heath Pickwick 2nds and their next Worcestershire League Division Three game is a visit to Barford Tigers 2nds on Saturday.
JAKE Porter was captain of Redditch Badgers for Saturday’s trip to Worcester and it was the skipper who opened the scoring in an evenly contested first half in the 31st minute after a furious scramble around the Worcester goal.
The second half started well for the visitors as goalkeeper Jacob Knight and defenders Amy Jones, Caitlin Hillier and Josh Baker kept Worcester at bay, whilst the Redditch midfield worked hard to keep up the pressure and a quick break midway through the second half ended with Jack Drysdale coolly slipping the ball past the Worcester keeper.
The hosts pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining but Redditch were not to be denied and held on for a 2-1 victory.
Saturday (10.30am) sees the Badgers host Bromsgrove.
