REDDITCH Hockey Club endured a week of mixed results across their various teams.
The men’s second team were beaten 6-2 by Bournville 3’s although the scoreline was slightly harsh on Redditch who played with the right attitude and plenty of effort.
Youngster Riley Oxenbury controlled the midfield battle before a well-worked short corner routine saw Richard Sellors score a deflected goal into the top corner
And Josh Checkley added Redditch’s second goal in the final few minutes when he tapped in at the back post.
The men’s third team played out a 2-2 draw with West Bromwich 3’s at Aston Recreation Ground.
Redditch were on top until West Brom were awarded a penalty corner from which they scored the game’s first goal.
However, Redditch drew level when Marshall Glen ran from the halfway line and beat five players before sliding the ball home to score a magnificent solo goal.
In an end-to-end contest, Redditch goalkeeper Aryn Welsh made some crucial saves before West Brom reclaimed the lead with another well-worked goal in off the post.
Redditch pressed for an equaliser and were rewarded when Leo Jones scored after excellent work from Glen who beat numerous players before passing for the former to slot home.
Elsewhere, Redditch men’s development 4’s eased to a 4-0 win against Sutton Coldfield 8’s to claim their first victory of the season.
Antony Brookes marked his return to hockey, after several years away from the sport, with an impressive first-half hat-trick.
A tap in for captain Russ Baldwin from a short corner completed the scoring in a game which saw Redditch hand debuts to Jacob Dobson and Charlie Sprang.
Redditch Badgers secured a narrow 2-1 win against Kings Heath Badgers having survived an early onslaught as Ava Goodman snuffed out several attacks.
However, the pressure eventually told when King Heath exploited a gap in the Redditch defence to open the scoring 20 minutes into the game.
A slight change in formation aided Redditch’s cause in the second half as Harry Brookes scored an equaliser after Chloe Brookes’ pass was picked up by Elise Simpson on the right who drove into the circle and found Ethan Cook who in turn set up H Brookes to score.
And Redditch completed the turnaround when H Brookes grabbed his second goal of the game after Christian Durbin’s long pass caught the Kings Heath defence off guard.
Redditch held firm in a nervy final 10 minutes to come away with a crucial victory.
Elsewhere, Redditch men’s first team were beaten 4-0 by Stafford whilst the women’s first team picked up a point after a 2-2 draw at Coventry and North Warwickshire.
