REDDITCH men’s first team produced a spirited performance but were edged out 2-1 by title-chasing visitors Aldridge & Walsall in the West Midlands Premier Division on Saturday.
Coming into the game on the back of their 2-1 victory against Wednesbury, Redditch, although not expected to win, were keen to give a good account of themselves.
A determined start to the game by Redditch meant the visitors soon realised it would not be plain sailing and the pace of the home team on the break and their refusal to let the visitors settle on the ball gave Redditch more than their fair share of the first half possession and indeed the hosts were unlucky not to take a lead into half time having created the better chances.
The Black Country side started much brighter in the second half and soon took the lead after some good build-up play.
Redditch’s discipline let them down and at one point they were reduced to nine men with two players sin-binned and A&W looked to have the game wrapped up when they scored their second goal.
However, the spirit of the home team never faltered and they were soon back in the contest when Steve Cook drilled in a shot from a penalty corner.
A&W began to sit back and Redditch pressed until the final whistle and Jacob Beard almost slotted home an equaliser, but the visitors held on to seal a narrow victory.
Redditch return to action after the winter break with a home game against West Bromwich on January 17.
Redditch 2nds were beaten 3-1 at Wednesbury in West Midlands Division Two, whilst all other Redditch sides had either begun their winter break or saw their games postponed.
