Redditch Hockey Club reports round-up - The Redditch Standard

Redditch Hockey Club reports round-up

Redditch Editorial 3rd Dec, 2014 Updated: 18th Oct, 2016   0

SOME indiscipline meant Redditch had to play almost half of the game with ten men and they were made to pay as local rivals Bromsgrove secured a 6-1 victory in the West Midlands Premier Division on Saturday.

The hosts had only themselves to blame for finding themselves in such a predicament and their only consolation was a goal from Pete Dawson whose push shot beat the keeper low to his left.

With two games left before Christmas – the first of which is Saturday’s trip to Wednesbury – Redditch find themselves tenth out of 12 in the league after four straight defeats and in big need of a revival.

THE SCORELINE did not do Redditch 2nds justice as they were beaten 3-0 at Ludlow in West Midlands Division Two – a result which saw the hosts leapfrog Redditch into fifth place.




The visitors travelled without penalty ace Fowkes who was absent due to umpiring duties with the ladies’ first team so Baker returned to lead the team in this mid-table clash.

Ludlow took the lead when their midfield dangerman was allowed to run at the Redditch defence and beat several players before entering the D and slotting the ball calmly past helpless keeper Joe Cardy.


Redditch pushed harder as the energetic Walton in midfield and returning Balcombe up front gave their all but, try as Redditch might, they were unable to convert possession into pressure and chances.

Ludlow continued to attack and were awarded a dubious penalty corner which, following a poor first shot, remained in the D and the attacker scrambled it home to make it 2-0 at half time.

There were more chances for Redditch in the second half but Pilkington was thwarted by the Ludlow keeper after he had broken free in the D and Jones was unable to find a route past the keeper even though he had a few bites of the cherry to try and slot the ball home.

Ludlow continued to press and Apperley and Checkley kept them at bay for a long time but another penalty corner late on allowed Ludlow to fire the ball past the unsighted Cardy.

The scoreline was harsh on Redditch who can take positives from the game in respect of good team spirit, communication and effort and they will aim for a better outcome when they visit Wednesbury on December 13.

THERE was also defeat for Redditch 3rds who were beaten 4-1 by Bromsgrove at Trinity High School in West Midlands Division One.

Visitors Redditch started slowly and some early pressure by Bromsgrove was eventually rewarded as they took a 1-0 lead, but Redditch began to grow into the game and started to create more and more chances, culminating midway through the first half with Connor Adams levelling the score with an opportunistic goal.

However, Bromsgrove responded on the stroke of half time to regain the lead.

Redditch started the second half strongly but were unable to convert this pressure into another goal and, with Redditch looking to get forward, they were eventually caught out at the back as Bromsgrove extended their lead.

There were plenty of short corners for Redditch but Bromsgrove defended well and managed to score again late on to put the outcome beyond doubt.

Fourth placed Redditch host second placed Stafford on Saturday.

DEPLETED Redditch Ladies relinquished top spot in Worcestershire League Division One as their winless run was extended to four matches with a hard fought 1-1 draw at Pershore.

Although the visitors were a player down, the game carried on and Redditch worked hard to make up for the lack of 11th player.

However, despite strong midfield play by Emma Preston, Jo Cook and youngster Lucie Mottet, Pershore opened the scoring through Emma Gardner to lead 1-0 at half time.

The second half saw a more determined Redditch performance and Jo Williams scored a deserved equaliser.

The hosts hit back and came close to a winner but were denied by Emme Foster and this was a valuable point for battling Redditch, who are second in the table behind leaders Harborne 3rds on goal difference heading into Saturday’s visit to Barford Tigers.

SEAN McCaughey was the captain for Redditch Badgers’ home game against Olton & West Warwicks, who won an exciting game 5-2.

The visitors took a 2-0 lead into the break but Redditch battled back and Jake Porter scored the hosts’ first goal within five minutes of the restart, assisted by Jack Drysdale, and just two minutes later midfielder Harrison Knight struck the ball into the Olton D and Harry Williams equalised.

However, despite plenty of endeavour from Redditch, Olton struck three more times to seal victory.

The Badgers face Solihull Blossomfield this weekend.

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