Match: Midland Junior Premier League Match 6 – Stourport Swifts 5 vs 2 Redditch Utd

Date: Saturday 25th October 2008

Report: (By Tim Delaney)

After a tremendous performance the previous week against Inkberrow, which saw the lads deservedly earn their first point of the season, the confidence was high going into this match away at high flying Stourport Swifts who had the meanest defence in the league having conceded just 4 goals in their previous 5 matches.

The weather was typically Autumnal with a distinct chill in the air and to this end the pre-match warm up was changed to ensure the lads were fully warm before entering the pitch and it paid dividends as the lads were on their game from the moment the whistle went harrying and closing down their hosts and giving them no time at all to settle on the ball. Matt was upfront with Brad and both players were pressing the home defence deep into their own half causing them to make mistakes. With the tough tackling midfield quartet of George D, Nick, Charlie and Dan supporting the front 2 the majority of the opening 10mins were played in the Stourport half. When the home team did manage to get the ball off the Reds and break forward the resolute back line of Robbie, Sam, Huddy and Max halted them in their tracks with confident, mature and well timed tackles and clearances, with the ever alert Ant in goal playing almost as a sweeper behind them racing off his line to collect any through balls, the lads looked more organised and solid than ever. With Shaley away on holiday and Ben N and Matt struggling with knee injuries the Reds were down to the bare bones and on 10mins Matt had to be replaced by Ben N as he was clearly in some pain with his knee. Ben N carried on from where Matt had left off winning plenty of ball and playing neat passing football, infact the football being played and the movement off the ball from the Reds was superb and to the neutral observer it would have been hard to distinguish which team was at the top of the league and which was near the bottom and on 13mins the lads got their just rewards when a neat passing move down the left involving Charlie and George D saw the ball played through to Brad who whipped a great cross into the box which Nick despatched neatly into the corner to put the lads 1 vs 0 up and into the lead for the first time this season. The team were clearly lifted by this and were back on the attack from the restart but Stourport won the ball and attacked at pace down their left, yet again though the Reds back line were ready and Max cut out the danger sensibly clearing the ball into touch for a throw in. Stourport were pushing hard now to get back into the game and their tails were up but great headed clearances by Sam at the heart of the defence broke up their attacks. Dan had another good chance after more good work from the midfield quartet but under pressure from a defender he pulled his shot narrowly wide of the post. Unfortunately for the lads and against the run of play, Stourport equalised on 27mins after a long range deflected shot wrong footed Ant in the Reds goal leaving him no chance.

Half Time Score:  Stourport Swifts 1 vs 1 Redditch Utd

The half time break was not ideal as it only served to interrupt the flow of quality football the Reds were playing in clearly their best TEAM display of the season thus far but the one thing it did allow for was the management and coaching team to commend the lads for their first half display and simply to encourage them all to continue in exactly the same way. This the lads did from the restart, again quickly closing down the Stourport players and pressurising the ball forcing the home team's technical area into frantic behaviour and often chastising comments towards their own players – a sure sign that the Reds were on top. Continued, quality passages of play followed with the ball being moved from defence to attack with swiftness and accuracy and Ben N was linking well with Brad to create decent opportunities but the Stourport defenders managed to deny any clear goal scoring opportunity. Stourport managed to put together a neat move of their own and drove down the left wing at pace, the winger cut inside and smashed a powerful shot goalwards but Ant was in tremendous form and made a great save flying to his right to turn the ball round the post for a corner which was dealt with easily by the Reds back line. Max won the ball and drove into the oppositions half with a typically pacey run before playing in Brad but again the home defence cleared their lines. On 44mins and again somewhat unfairly on the lads, Stourport took the lead after a quick break resulted in a low ball across the box which was tapped in from close range leaving Ant exposed and with no chance. The lads could easily have let their heads drop after this undeserved set back but as we have seen in many games in seasons past, they regrouped and drew breath almost unitedly and drove forward again to get back into this match. Ant was replaced by Ross on 50mins after a great performance and Ross's cry of 'come on Redditch' as entering the field of play typified the attitude of all the players both on the pitch and on the bench. On 48mins great work from Brad saw him cut inside his man and drive into the 18 yard box where he was clearly caught from behind and brought to the floor, the loose ball ran to Nick who dispatched it neatly into the net but the goal was disallowed as the ref had already blown for the penalty. Max stepped up and after an unsettling delay caused by the ref he smashed the ball straight down the middle to get the lads back level which was no more than they deserved. Ben Mc came on at right back for Robbie who was clearly tired after all his hard work as were the majority of the team. Ben Mc was immediately called into action as the Stourport players sensed the weary legs of the Redditch lads and he calmly moved the ball out of his feet and played it down the line and away from danger. The final 10mins of the match were played almost constantly in the Reds half as the home side piled on the pressure and despite the outstanding efforts of Ben Mc and Max at full back tackling like their lives depended on it coupled with the aerial dominance of Sam winning header after header and Huddy's quick thinking and controlled play it was only a matter of time before Stourport with fresher legs ended the contest with 3 late goals in quick succession. The final whistle was a blessed relief for the Redditch lads as they didn't deserve those late goals but as they came off the pitch with their heads held high and chests puffed out, the transition from Sunday league players to players of a much higher level was evident for all to see and a very proud management and coaching staff greeted and shook the hands of every single one of them!!

Full Time Score:  Stourport Swifts 5 vs 2 Redditch Utd

Reds Goalscorers:  Nick, Max

Man of the Match: Ant & Ben N – tremendous performance from both players, Ant rock solid in goal, quick off his line to pounce on any through balls and Ben N excellent passing and moving to support attacks.

ANT

MAX

ROBBIE

SAM

HUDDY

DAN

GEORGE

NICK

CHARLIE

MATT

BRAD