BOSS Gary Barrell has warned his Redditch United Ladies side to expect a stern test – weather permitting – when fellow West Midlands League Division One South promotion hopefuls Coventry Sphinx visit the Trico Stadium on Sunday (2pm).
The Reds were held to a 2-2 draw by lowly hosts Solihull Sporting on Sunday and saw their lead cut to two points by second-placed Gornal.
Also firmly still in the title race are fourth-placed Sphinx – 11 points behind United with three games in hand – so the importance of Sunday’s fixture is clear for all to see.
Barrell, who expected to make a deadline day addition to the squad yesterday (Thursday), said: “It is sure to be a great fixture between two teams which look to play attractive football and who are both building on solid foundations for this year and beyond.
“Sphinx know that wins against us in our upcoming two games against them and wins in their games in hand will put them in a very strong position, so it’s all to play for.
“We will have to be much better in our remaining games than we were on Sunday if we are to have any serious ambitions of challenging for promotion.”
On a bobbly pitch, life was difficult for Redditch against Solihull, although the visitors went close when Ellie Gerhold struck the post and Alice Rogers was denied by a superb save when one-on-one with the keeper.
Redditch were rewarded for their efforts early in the second half when Anna Nicod’s inch-perfect pass set up Gerhold who coolly put the visitors ahead.
However, the home side rallied and levelled when the Reds failed to clear their lines and the resulting cross was finished well by the Solihull forward.
A second Solihull goal arrived not long afterwards when a long ball was bravely dealt with by keeper Kirsty Grigg, who was challenged robustly by a home attacker in the process.
Surprisingly, this was not deemed a foul and the forward rolled the ball into an empty net to put the hosts ahead, but United equalised when Gerhold was left alone in the box thanks to clever movement and she slid the ball past the keeper.
However, Gerhold then missed a fine chance to hand her side all three points when she saw her late penalty saved.
Meanwhile, the Reds have been drawn to visit Birmingham & West Midlands of the FA Women’s Premier League Midlands in the semi-finals of the Birmingham FA Women’s County Cup.
Barrell said: “This will be a tough fixture against a side plying their trade two leagues above the Reds.”
The two finalists for the last five years will meet in the other semi after West Bromwich Albion were drawn to host Coventry United. Both matches will be played on March 18.
