Match: League Match 12 – Redditch Utd 2 vs 0 Marston Green

Date: Sunday 3rd February 2008

Report: (By Darran Ward)

The 1st five minutes of todays match saw both teams trying to come to terms with the exceptionally strong wind blowing straight down the pitch. The Reds had taken the option to play into the gale in the 1st half on a pitch that met with approval from the visiting team coaches, voicing their appreciation before the match, different to a season or two ago when their were some disapproving mutterings raised! The choice of the starting 11 is made harder each week as quite noticeably the lads are individually giving every ounce of effort to the team making it difficult for the managers to choose between them which can only bode well as the team progresses. On this occasion though it was made slightly easier as Max was carrying a slight muscle pull and asked to start on the bench before kick off, alongside Dan. As the teams began to settle to the conditions it was Marston who mustered the 1st half chance, producing a cross that flashed across the front of Ross’s goal. However, the back line of Chopper, Matt, Nick and Huddy were pretty resolute and any balls carried through by the wind were cleared first time in a no nonsense approach, again required with attackers snapping at your heels and a swirly wind making the ball difficult to control. One of these balls down the right was carefully cleared by Huddy to Jack in midfield who turned to find Sam with a ball played neatly through the defence, Sam’s shot was watched all the way by the keeper who saved well. Within a minute or two the Reds ascendancy would pay dividends as a wide attack down the left by Marston was broken up by a combination of Chopper and Brad, the latter playing an intelligent ball out of the defensive berth to Sam in the right of central midfield, he strode forward eating up 25 yards before the opposition had chance to adjust and leaving him with just a defender and Charlie, playing as central striker today, ahead of him, then with the sweetest of left feet, he hit a 30 yard pass straight down the pitch directly towards the goal but with enough curl to swing it in behind the defender and put it on a plate for Charlie to drive into the box and chip the onrushing keeper and make it 1vs0 to the Reds. Superb defensive cover, wonderful movement, a high quality midfield pass and great finish! With Jack, Sam and Ben bossing the midfield supported by the front three there were very few opportunities being created by the visiting team although the play was being mainly confined to the middle third. A free kick to Marston just inside the Reds half and with the wind behind meant everyone being on their toes and as the ball was rifled in at the near post at high pace it looked as though a goal might follow. However, with superbly strong hands Ross leapt into the air and gathered it first time drawing applause from the home team fans and surely stinging his hands in the process! In the last action of the 1st half , Matt had opportunity to place on of his free kicks into the area following a foul, the 2nd ball being met by Chopper, who was getting forward from right back on many occasions, he ran forward and unleashed a powerful shot which just bobbled as he hit it causing it to swerve just wide to the right of the top corner of goal.

Half Time Score: Redditch United 1 vs 0 Marston Green

The 2nd half saw Max replace the hard working Brad and straight away he was terrorising the defence with his pace. Dan replaced George soon after also after he had run himself into the ground. It was becoming more apparent that the Reds had overcome the conditions well as they played intelligent balls along the ground with neat and precise passing, avoided long balls over the top that the wind would carry out of play and worked the line particularly well with throw ins. One of these throw ins deep into the Marston half on the left broke to Jack in midfield 5 yards outside the box who tried his luck with a shot from distance, with the ball heading to the far post their keeper appeared motionless, waiting for it to drop into his arms and as the fans were just about to turn away thinking the chance was gone, up popped Dan who had watched it all the way and nipped in front of the goalie and sidefooted it into an empty net, sending the home fans crazy and increasing the margin to 2 vs 0. Ben N was putting in plenty of tackles and covering back as Marston broke forward and was always involved with the link ups in forward play. Likewise Nick seemed to be forever breaking up play on the halfway line before slotting into his central defenders role with Matt. In a slightly bizarre moment the Reds were awarded a free kick in the midfield area which as Sam placed a Marston player ran in front and nicked the ball off his toes drawing strange comments from the travelling fans when the ref rightly blew up for the kick to be re-taken as Sam had not had chance to kick it in the 1st place! In a fine performance, mastering the wind and the opposition the lads had all played their part for the TEAM. If there is only one criticism it is that as Marston pushed harder for a reply of some kind we made it slightly easier for them by committing too many players forward searching for more goals ourselves, but the boys will and are learning these things as they build on their experiences. A special mention should be made for Rossy as he commanded his area superbly, cleaned up behind the back line, gathered any aerial threats safely and kept another clean sheet and doing so earned himself man of the match.

I know we are not looking at the league tables as this season is all about adapting to 11 aside football, but . . . . this result lifts the boys to 2nd in the table, albeit =2nd with three other teams! Credit to the lads, Jim and Tim as the results of ALL their hard work is there to be seen on the pitch. The last two home games have ended with a 2v0 win to the Reds and have come after hard work and endeavour on the pitch, fighting it out to gain the upper hand, the sort of games that are a joy to watch. 10v0 when you are 7 years old is a great feeling I’m sure but coming off the pitch after a hard fought result like today’s breeds confidence and team spirit. Well done.

Full Time Score:  Redditch United 2 vs 0 Marston Green

Reds Goals/Scorers: 1st half: Charlie - chipping keeper following midfield magic from Sam.

2nd half: Dan – “never give up” chase on ball and cheekily beating keeper.

Man of the Match: Ross – solid and safe in between the sticks, just what you want!

ROSS

BEN Mc

HUDDY

NICK

MATT

BEN N

JACK

SAM

CHARLIE

GEORGE

BRAD