Match: League Match 8 – Chelmsley Town 3 vs 1 Redditch United

Date: Sunday 18th November 2007

Report: (By Darran Ward)

IT’S OFFICIAL – our beautiful game is not fair! From the first whistle to the last, the superb reds out-thought, out-played, out-passed and out-battled a strong physical home team who offered little in reply except the now regular ball over the top. How the boys could come away without a point from this game and with a score line so skewed against them is unbelievable.

The temperature gauge showed 3 degrees, heavy sleety rain had set in since mid morning and a biting wind blew straight across the pitch creating some of the worst conditions the boys have had to play in. At this point, your enduring sports reporter must add that within minutes of the kick off it became impossible to write with numb fingers, so notes here are from memory only! The first 10 minutes, or until the home team mustered an attack of their own and braved moving into the valiant Reds own half, was consistent Redditch pressure on the home goal, Max hitting the upright and seeing chances saved and going narrowly wide. Sam also had shots from the edge of the box saved or cleared by what seemed the whole team in blue defending in numbers in their goal mouth! The fact that Redditch were able to exert such pressure was down to the fact that to a man the boys played for the team and each other, irrespective of the conditions. Tackles were being made in every quarter but so pleasing to the eye was the confidence and time players created for themselves, winning the first ball and taking a touch, often eluding beautifully, a diving Chelmsley tackle before moving the ball neatly to a team mate. This created carefully crafted, controlled flowing football. The midfield trio of Ben N, Jack and Sam working tirelessly and in unison to snuff out the home team before pushing delightful balls out wide to Charlie and Brad, both getting plenty of ball and working the full backs with their pace and guile. On occasion when Town did chase one of their long balls down, the back line stood strong, creating an impenetrable defence, time after time. The Reds had arrived at the match down to bare bones, Rossy suffering a high temperature and kept at home on medication and Nick called away. Step in Huddy to take Ross’s usual position in between the sticks, marshalling his back line and although only called into action a couple of times, brave in his demeanour. Matt also paired the central defensive berths with Rob, leaving George and Ben Mc to cover the flanks.

Town had attacked down their left into the last 1/3rd, but the offensive had been broken up, the ball however found its way to the edge of the box and was slid through for a blue attacker to close. It looked certain that Huddy had smothered the effort as he collided with the attacker, but the ball squirmed through to the net giving the home team an unlikely 1 goal lead and leaving Huddy with a stud mark on his knee and treatment which was to lead to him retiring from the match. Dan had kept an eye on events and stepped in as sub goalie without blinking an eyelid. Redditch continued in their stride and worked the ball over the whole width of the pitch, and as pointed out by the manager “on the ground” with neat passing, carving out further chances. Sam was looking for every opportunity to get Max in down the middle and a slide rule ball out of midfield was met by Max with his back to his defender, a deft flick saw the ball fly over his shoulder and over the lumbering defender and as he was turned dived in with a foul inside the box leading to a penalty. Tim immediately called Max to take it himself after seeing him hitting the back of the net during half time penalty shoot out at the senior Reds game at The Valley the day before. The ball was despatched from the spot with the result in no doubt and it ballooned the back of the net out, top right. After the miss earlier in the season against Maypole, Max’s elation was clear to see as the whole team celebrated.

The half played out in a similar vein, Reds possession, with Dan called into action on one occasion with a neat save at the far post but overall a 1vs1 score line not a true reflection of the half by a long way.

Half Time Score: Chelmsley Town 1 vs 1 Redditch Utd

The second half began with the boys winning the midfield battle as per the first 25 minutes. It would be very difficult to criticise, with the team performing to such a high level and perhaps it is splitting hairs to do so but if there were any areas to improve upon it would be to clear the ball better from the defensive 1/3rd and cut out midfield “prods” of the ball as it seemed that only 2 mistakes in the whole match in this fashion led to Town’s goals from open play, not from creative home team play mind! Indeed, the major difference for the 2nd half was that there were more long balls played into the Red’s defence. For the Red’s though, their fourth game in the new formation, they go from strength to strength as individuals as part of their team. As pointed out at the post match talk, it is very important to keep sight of the fact that although the results may not always go their way, at the moment, if they continue to play football in this way and their match play becomes more expansive, as it will do over time, the results will follow. It is surely extremely harsh though to come away without a point from such a dominating performance. Hopefully, the boys will see and understand from their own team display that currently the result is secondary and they should take great comfort from the quality of football played. To see such flowing football and endeavour is extremely pleasing to see from a parent’s perspective on the touchline and I am sure is echoed by the management team.

Town managed to force some corners which saw Rob clear from right in front of goal with strong headers, each time being first to the ball and making sure with determination. George, Matt, Rob and Ben Mc were closing down everything and the midfield and strikers were creating chances with all having efforts on goal but with the ball sticking in the mud and Town defending “en-masse” all efforts were being thwarted. Another long ball was chased into the Reds box where defender and attacker met shoulder to shoulder, the ref awarding a penalty that never was, with even home fans agreeing that it was not a foul. However, the ball was duly placed and despatched leaving the game to finish incredibly 3vs1 to Chelmsley Town who must be congratulated on the result, particularly in the conditions. The performance was all Redditch’s! Lads, keep playing like this and keep believing in your abilities, it may not be the next game, it may not be this season, but you will get your rewards.

Full Time Score: Chelmsley Town 3 vs 1 Redditch Utd

Reds Goals/Scorers: 1st half: Max - penalty, top right, following precision pass from Sam, Max turned his marker and was slide tackle fouled in the box.

Man of the Match: Matt – first time this season at centre half and played with confidence and commitment.

Formation:  4 - 3 - 3

Colours:  Red/White Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks

Substitutes:  DAN