Match: League Match 9 – Cadbury Athletic 0 vs 1 Redditch United

Date: Sunday 25th November 2007

Report: (By Tim Delaney)

With the outstanding performances of recent weeks but without the justified results it was a trip to Cadbury, for the 2nd time this season, in the search for a morale boosting 3 points to reward the lads for their recent efforts. The lads started briskly & good work down the line form Max & Charlie earned the reds 2 throw ins, the 2nd of which found Brad in the box but his shot was saved. On 4mins a long throw from Rob was flicked on by Sam into the box where Max headed goal wards but again the Cadbury keeper saved then cleared quickly up field, but after his man of the match performance the previous week, Matt was on hand to clear the danger. Cadbury mounted a decent attack on 5mins when a long shot was parried by Ross and Rob cleared the loose ball. Max was as busy as ever & on 7mins great work down the left saw him force a corner which Charlie whipped in to the box dangerously but Jacks powerful shot was just over the bar. Another long throw into the box from Rob found Max unmarked but he turned & shot just over. The game was a real end to end affair with the reds just about shading it in terms of possession but Cadbury again came close on 12mins when a decent effort was well saved by Ross with Dan doing his bit clearing the loose ball away from danger. Max again tried his luck on 15mins when another decent shot was saved by the Cadbury keeper, Sam was first to the loose ball & played it neatly back in to the box for Jack but his shot was again saved by the keeper. On 17mins Charlie was cruelly dumped to the floor just inside the Cadbury half, Sam whipped the free kick into the danger area where Max & Jack stretched every sinew to try to prod the ball home from close range but the pace of the ball off the wet surface took the ball wide for a goal kick. The reds got their reward for their hard work just 4mins before half time when Sam was fouled on the half way line, he picked himself up & delivered another pacy free kick into the box to Max but as he was about to unleash his shot the Cadbury defender poked the ball off his toe & out for another corner. Charlie whipped the ball in again dangerously & Max applied a deft header from 6 yards out to put the reds 0 vs 1 up at the break.

Half Time Score: Cadbury Athletic 0 vs 1 Redditch Utd

The reds started the 2nd half in a determined fashion, intent on keeping hold of their precious lead & nicking another goal to extend it if at all possible & with the defence of Ben Mc, Matt, Rob & Huddy holding their line tremendously Cadbury were caught offside twice in quick succession. Matt was in excellent form clearing the resultant free kicks high up field to get the reds back on the attack & within mins of the restart Max, Jack & Charlie had decent chances just off target or well saved by the keeper. On 29mins a great shout for a reds penalty was waved away by the female referee after Sam & Rob combined well too work the ball into the box for Jack where he was caught by a defenders outstretched leg for what looked a clear penalty?? Cadbury certainly hadn't given up hope of getting that all important equaliser & only tremendous tackling back from Rob kept the slender advantage intact. On 32mins Nick replaced Ben Mc at right back after another solid, no nonsense performance & within a minute Nick was involved in another good reds move as Dan played a great ball over the top for Jack to run on to but again the pace of the ball meant the keeper was able to come out & clear before Jack could reach it. Cadbury forced a corner of their own on 34mins but Sam headed away in customary powerful fashion from the edge of the 6 yard box to clear. Max was next to be dumped to the floor & looked to be in some pain after hurting his neck but after brief treatment he gathered himself & was back in action, Brad tried his luck with the free kick attempting to catch the keeper off guard at his near post but his effort was saved. On 39mins Ben N replaced Dan in midfield to give the latter a deserved rest after his non stop running in midfield. Ross had a busy couple of mins when he was forced to make a decent save initially from a strong shot then moments later he raced to the edge of his area to clear a long through ball & set Max away on the counter, the Cadbury keeper himself rushed out to block & the ball flicked up in the air off Max & fell to Jack but his shot was blocked as it looked to be on its way goal wards with the keeper stranded. Ben N was certainly up for the fight & great strength & determination earned the reds respite in the shape of a corner. The ball was curled in to the edge of the box where Sam flicked his header on to Brad but his looping shot was well held by the keeper. With 5mins remaining Charlie was replaced by George on the left after great wing play throughout the match. As with Ben N, George was eager to get involved & was clearly intent on maintaining the reds slender advantage with some tough tackling & neat passing. On 47mins Cadbury attacked again but the long ball through was expertly shielded out by the impressive Matt for a goal kick. The final action of the game saw Cadbury force a late corner after more solid defending from Nick and co but Sam again headed powerfully clear from the edge of his box to set George away down the left but as he strode confidently forward the final whistle blew to seal a narrow but hard fought & well deserved victory & precious 3 points for the lads.

Full Time Score: Cadbury Athletic 0 vs 1 Redditch Utd

Reds Goals/Scorers: 1st half: Max - deft flicked header 6 yards out from Charlie's inswinging corner.

Man of the Match: Brad – for his hard work both in new midfield role and helping out defensively when needed.

Formation:  4 - 3 - 3

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

Substitutes:  NICK, GEORGE, BEN N