REDDITCH are still looking for their first win of 2015 after suffering a 6-2 defeat at Bromsgrove in the West Midlands Premier Division on Saturday.
With two games remaining – the first of which is the visit of Wednesbury on Saturday – Redditch are three points above second bottom Stafford, although they do have a superior goal difference of ten.
The Kingfishers took a much-changed side to Bromsgrove due to having lots of first team regulars unavailable, but the team surprised both the opposition and themselves by taking the lead through captain Dan Waite, who scored on his 37th birthday.
Bromsgrove soon found their feet and scored three goals from short corners to lead 3-1 at half time.
In the second half Redditch battled hard and matched Bromsgrove for long periods, scoring a second goal through the birthday boy Waite after some good play by Wayne Beard.
However, fitness and concentration soon faltered and Redditch conceded two late goals to give the hosts a flattering margin of victory.
REDDITCH 2nds went down 4-1 at home to Ludlow in West Midlands Division Two.
The hosts started well, with a few new faces in the line-up, but unfortunately – as has been the case in many games this season – Redditch were unable to convert their possession into goals and, although they dominated, it was Ludlow who led 2-0 at the break, with their second goal an unfortunate penalty corner deflection which took the ball past young keeper Joe Cardy.
In the second half a strong run from Ward through the heart of the Ludlow back line ended with Brad Bush firing home a Redditch goal and the hosts took confidence from this, although they lacked a clinical edge in the attacking quarter of the pitch.
Ludlow struck twice on the counter-attack to seal a victory which in terms of the scoreline was harsh on Redditch, who finish their season at home to Wednesbury on March 28.
A WEAKENED Redditch 3rds, without skipper Wayne Beard, had a tough game at home to local rivals Bromsgrove, who emerged 6-0 winners in West Midlands Division One.
Redditch went behind early in the game and at half time the score was 3-0 to Bromsgrove, even though both teams had equal opportunities in front of goal.
The beginning of the second half saw Redditch push forwards more and they kept Bromsgrove subdued for the majority of the second half but, with the team focusing on attack, it left gaps in defence, which were exploited to the full by Bromsgrove, who scored another three goals.
Redditch’s penultimate game of the season is a trip to champions Stafford on Saturday.
REDDITCH Badgers visited Olton on Saturday and were captained by Ben Tominski.
The visitors were expecting a tough game and Olton did not disappoint as from the start they passed the ball around quickly and managed to break through the defence for a shot on goal.
Redditch got themselves together but Olton wrong-footed the defence and beat the keeper to open the scoring.
Redditch managed to work some passes upfield and have chances of their own to level the score, but Olton’s defence held firm and they were soon back up the other end of the pitch and had scored two more goals before half time.
A change in positions within the team for the second half proved to be a good decision for Redditch, who came out the stronger side at the start of the second half and, after some well worked passing, Ben Cattell reduced the deficit.
Olton reacted and picked up their game and for the next 20 minutes it was an end to end game as both teams worked hard, however it was Olton who scored again to seal a 4-1 victory.
The Redditch juniors will take a lot of positives from the second half and look forward to hosting Solihull Blossomfield on Saturday in their last home game of the season.
