Match: League Match 10 – Redditch Utd 3 vs 2 Wychall Wanderers

Date: Sunday 16th December 2007

Report: (By Darran Ward)

Earlier on this Sunday morning during the Sky TV program whilst looking back at Saturday’s Premiership games, Mick McCarthy said, “decisions made whilst in possession of the ball separate the great players from the good.” If this is to be used as a yardstick then, this bunch of lads who play in the Reds team can surely look forward to a bright future. As displayed many times in today’s match was this attribute with many superb decisions taken with the ball at an individuals feet. After the last few weeks’ inclement weather and 2 postponed matches it was great to get back into the action and it was clear that all the team were looking forward to the opportunity too of kicking a ball in a competitive match. It would be an interesting game as 3 players on each team played for the same unbeaten, this season, junior school football team and so it was to prove. In the first few minutes following kick off Charlie, Sam and Brad combined in the midfield to win the ball and a super ball from Brad was played out to Jack on the right, spreading the play across the whole pitch and only a lunging interception at the last minute cutting the ball out from reaching its intended target. Further pressure on the away team’s box allowed Sam a chance from distance which looked a goal all the way, beating the keeper but dipping just over the bar. Matt was providing a string of long throws from the right touchline and from one such he found Sam to turn his marker and play a slide rule pass into the box for Max to run onto, unfortunately the ball bobbled in the one on one with the keeper and Max missed his shot allowing the keeper to save. Jack earned himself a “spotters badge” after more midfield endeavour saw him break free in the inside right channel and he saw the overlapping run of Brad and picked him out with a sublime pass. Brad continued his run to the by line and hit a 1st time cross to the near post which was deflected in to put the Reds 1vs0 up. This spurred the Wanderers into action and they probably had their best spell of the whole game for the last 5 minutes or so of the half. Any midfield balls won were pushed further up field than previously leaving Matt and Nick in several battles with their attacking counterparts but never once were they found wanting and cleared up each time. Ben Mcgarry and Huddy were also equal to any attacks down the channels and as a backline looked pretty impenetrable. Ben N appears to grow in stature and confidence with every game and he too was putting plenty of tackles in and looking for the pass to open the Wanderers defence up. Just before half time the away team evened the scores up with rather an iniquitous goal, the Reds broke up another attack, but lamely prodded the ball into the attacking midfield area where it was hopefully stabbed forward towards Ross, who until this point had not really been called into action, an attacker gambled and followed it in and shot at goal, Rossy got a hand to it but couldn’t control and the forward flicked the ball home, 1vs1.

Half Time Score: Redditch Utd 1 vs 1 Wychall Wanderers

The second half got under way with plenty of midfield skirmishes and the home team looking to get the ball out and into playmaking opportunities with Ben N and Charlie combining well on the left and Brad and Jack linking well on the right, orchestrated by the lively Sam in midfield. Max was working well box to box. A few minutes in and the goal of the game was chalked up. The back line combined well to break up the Wanderers and Ben N was on hand to react fastest to the loose ball, he played a ball straight up the middle of the park, along the ground to the tightly marked Max in the centre circle, his 1st touch was a deft flick to divert the ball out to the left of his marker, allowing him the time and space to turn and run past to see Charlie bombing on to who he played the ball into his stride, Charlie took the ball towards the edge of the box before cleverly lobbing the keeper, 2vs1 to the Reds. George replaced the irrepressible Ben N soon after, Ben’s midfield tackling and running had seen him cover every blade of grass and therefore take a well deserved rest. George soon made his presence felt with some crunching tackles and was unfortunate not to get on the score sheet perhaps when a move between him and Max just failed to come off. Nick was as committed as ever and throughout the match we saw the usual high standard of fare, reading the game, intercepting well and setting new attacks up, indeed as were all the back line. In what was really “rare” goal mouth action at Ross’s end, the away team forced a corner, the ball whipped in but the second was not won and a shot squirmed through to the goal and forced Ross into save low at the bottom of the post. Jack after playing some wonderfully creative passes and working tirelessly up and down the right was replaced by Dan as the team went 4,4,2 in order to preserve their lead, with tired legs creeping in and so much of the game being fought out gamely in the midfield the last thing that was needed was to allow Wanderers back into the game. Following a foul, Matt had opportunity to whip a ball into the box from distance, which he did, finding Max who saw his shot go narrowly wide. Sam played one of his perfectly weighted diagonal balls towards Charlie who won the throw, to receive the ball back again and cross from the wide left, the ball found its way through a defender and the keeper and an onrushing Max to creep into the back of the net to put the Reds 3vs1 ahead. Although Charlie had taken the plaudits from the team for the goal, from the touchline it was difficult to see who had actually scored, it was also clear that Max felt he had a hand in the goal also. Tim left it up to the players to sort out. It appeared that the keeper was about to get to the ball, before Max managed to toe-poke it out of his grasp. The game became more stretched over the last few minutes and with 5 to go the Reds let their concentration slip and allowed the away team back into the game, 3vs2, and ensure that the remainder of the game would be slightly tenser. However, the score line remained the same until the final whistle. “A draw would have been a fair reflection on the game” was heard following the whistle and on reflection maybe so, but on the balance of the game, a good proportion was seen fought out in the middle third and credit should go to both teams for such a keen display, but it was the Reds who offered more in front of goal and ultimately make better use of the ball when in possession.

Full Time Score: Redditch Utd 3 vs 2 Wychall Wanderers

Reds Goals/Scorers: 1st half: Brad – sublime cross from right deflected past keeper at near post.

  2nd half: Charlie – great run and finish following super passes from Ben and Max.

Max – Cross from Charlie on left, nicked out of the keepers way.

Man of the Match: Ben – dogged display, strong tackling and passing, growing in stature with every game.

ROSS

BEN Mc

HUDDY

NICK

MATT

BEN N

BRAD

SAM

MAX

CHARLIE

JACK