Match: Midland Junior Premier League Match 9 – Redditch Utd 0 vs 3 Willenhall

Date: Saturday 29th November 2008

Report: (By Tim Delaney)

On a bitterly cold & foggy winters morning, the visitors to the Land Rover Social Club were Willenhall. From the kick off the Reds looked to continue their good work after an impressive 2nd half performance the previous week away at Wednesfield & they immediately forced a succession of throw ins down the left. Good defensive play from Sam & Robbie, aided by Charlie, prevented the visitors taking the lead in a bright opening by both teams. It was not long though before Willenhall did get their noses in front after a shot from the edge of the area wasn't closed down & the ball looped over Ant to make it 0 vs 1. The reds regained their composure & began to play some neat passing football with Nick & Huddy linking well but the ball through was just too long. On 11mins Redditch were awarded a free kick just outside the area which Matt curled into the box but the visiting defence cleared. Dan was foraging hard down the right & great tackling back saw him win the ball on the edge of his own box then turn his man & set Brad away down the right but again the Willenhall defence held firm & cleared the danger. More good work in the midfield between Nick & Huddy saw the home side create another decent chance but they were thwarted illegally & yet another free kick was awarded. This time Sam took the kick & pumped the ball into the box but the Willenhall defence reacted quickest & cleared. Another flowing move from the reds saw Charlie play a neat ball to Brad in midfield who then turned & tried to play a pin point cross field ball to Nick but it was just cut out & cleared by a Willenhall midfielder. On 21mins Matt strode forward with the ball from midfield before firing in a low shot which the keeper smothered. The Redditch back line of Ben Mc, Max, Sam & Robbie were playing well as a unit with Sam heading clear everything that came his way. Unfortunately for the reds though Willenhall extended their lead somewhat fortuitously & slightly against the run of play on 23mins when a corner was whipped in with pace & wasn't dealt with properly by the home defence & an alert Willenhall player prodded home from 2 yards out. Sam made another great tackle and clearance just before half time & the lads looked like they would see it through to the whistle just the 2 goals down but right on the stroke of half time they were caught napping & a clinical finish saw the visitors go into the break 0 vs 3 up.

Half Time Score:  Redditch Utd 0 vs 3 Willenhall

Ross replaced Ant in goal, with George replacing Dan who had worked hard down the right flank. From the restart Willenhall saw an early effort fly just wide of Ross's right hand post. Good work from George saw him pick a great pass to set Brad away but as he drove forward a well timed tackle halted his progress. The reds were awarded yet another free kick on 37mins, Robbie put the ball down & took it quickly but unfortunately too quick for the rest of his team mates & the advantage had gone. Willenhall had a good spell of pressure creating some decent half chances but Max with his pace & perfectly timed tackles backed up by Ross whose handling & catching were top drawer cleared the danger every time. The Redditch lads were certainly not going to give up on this game & were showing the same committed attitude we have come to expect from them this season, digging deep & driving hard. George again was instrumental in another good move, as was Brad, when neat interplay between the two saw another good chance created. Ben N replaced Charlie after yet another good performance down the left. Great work from Ben Mc at right back saw him sell his marker a dummy then pass the ball accurately down the wing for George to run onto but yet again the Willenhall defence somehow managed to get a foot in & clear the danger. On 46mins Willenhall earned themselves another corner after a well timed slide tackle by Sam in his own box. The ball was curled in but again Sam met it powerfully to head clear, George picked up the loose ball & he deftly played in Max who had broken quickly from defence but his run was halted in midfield. On 47mins one of the best moves of the game saw Sam play a neat back pass to Ross who passed accurately out to Robbie on the left, the ball was then moved forward to Brad who neatly played in Huddy before again possession was lost – the move deserving of better reward. With time running out Ben N played probably the pass of the game when he received the ball in midfield with his back to goal, he controlled it with his first touch then turned & drove forward before curling a great ball in behind the Willenhall defence for Brad to run on to but yet again the Willenhall defence stood firm & the move ended. Just before the final whistle Ross was again called into action as another high, looping ball was calmly collected with safe hands. The final whistle brought to an end an enjoyable & keenly contested match played between two teams who obviously share a similar determination & commitment to play the game how it should be played by getting the ball down & playing football – a credit to both sets of players. Again the superb attitude of the Redditch lads has to be admired & applauded as for the 2nd match in a row they did not concede in the 2nd half. This shows tremendous character, great determination & immense pride, credit to each & every one of them!!

Full Time Score:  Redditch Utd 0 vs 3 Willenhall

Reds Goalscorer: 

Man of the Match: Sam - solid performance at the heart of the reds defence, headed everything.

ANT

BEN MC

ROBBIE

MAX

SAM

NICK

CHARLIE

DAN

BRAD