Match: League Match 14 – Marston Green 0 vs 1 Redditch Utd

Date: Sunday 17th February 2008

Report: (By Kevin McGarry)

Common sense prevailed as a delayed game finally took place, having looked in jeopardy due to a “frozen” pitch. The Reds were rightly in a confident mood following 5 consecutive victories including a 2-0 success over today’s hosts just 2 games ago. Dan and George began as substitutes as the now familiar 4-3-3 line up took to the field.

Following cagey early exchanges a mazy run by Max brought the first notable action, which gained a corner that was comfortably cleared. Huddy returned a long high ball, which the keeper fumbled but gathered at the second attempt. From Marston’s first significant attack Ross calmly claimed a decent cross. After a foul on Sam, Matt’s good free kick to the box was cleared for another Reds corner. Again Huddy collected the clearance from Brad’s dead ball kick and looped a clever effort just over the crossbar. From the best move of the match Sam cleared down the line to Brad who picked out Charlie up front. He excellently turned the defender but the shot was saved by the home keeper. After yet another Reds corner Ben N was next to shoot from distance. Nick and Matt were marshalling the centre of defence well and Ben Mc and Huddy ensured no progress was being made down the flanks. As 20 minutes approached the game was becoming scrappy with a midfield battle and few chances being created. The midfield of Ben N, Sam and Jack worked incredibly hard winning possession and driving the team forward. Marston came more into the half and Ross made a couple of routine but assured saves. Nick intercepted a dangerous through ball in midfield and broke forward only to be cynically hacked down. Justice was served from the resultant Matt free kick when Jack strongly broke through 2 challenges in the penalty area before the ball broke to Brad. His cross was unfortunately turned into his own net by an unlucky Marston Green defender to open the scoring. This was the final action of the half as the whistle blew just seconds after the restart.

Half Time Score:  Marston Green 0 vs 1 Redditch Utd

Dan replaced the dogged Ben N for the resumption but it was the home team who began brighter, putting some pressure on the tireless Reds backline. When Redditch did break out they still looked dangerous and Charlie was caught inches offside when clean through. Playing downhill the hosts continued to press and only a last ditch Huddy tackle prevented a good chance being created. The resultant corner almost brought an equaliser as a good header flashed just wide. George replaced Max who had ran unstintingly down the left and played some intelligent through balls. The game was now end to end but with few clear cut chances for either side. From a Charlie through ball, George almost made an immediate impact, bravely reaching the ball just before the onrushing keeper and looping his snapshot just wide of the goal. As Redditch did before the break, playing downhill Marston were now gaining a number of corners with Huddy, Matt and Ben all conceding such to protect the narrow lead. Twice Sam was strong at the near post to clear imminent danger. With 10 minutes remaining Max returned in place of Brad but bravely charged down a Marston shot, injuring himself in the process and bringing Brad back into play. Jack and Sam in particular were flying into tackles in the middle of the park, breaking up play to Redditch advantage. The home team were largely restricted to shots from distance, but Ross’ handling was very assured and he never looked like being beaten. Ben Mc twice came to the rescue with well-timed clearances as the final minutes ebbed away. The home pressure was relieved when a quick fire break saw Charlie break down the left but his cross was well picked out by the home keeper. With barely a minute remaining Marston fashioned their best effort of the game when a good cross was flicked agonisingly wide by an incoming striker. That concluded the action in a match which was not always pretty but well fought out by 2 sides trying to play good football. The result cements Reds position in 2nd in the table, keeping their excellent recent run of wins whilst conceding very few goals intact.

Full Time Score:  Marston Green 0 vs 1 Redditch Utd

Reds Goals/Scorers: 1st half: Brad - great tenacity from Jack to beat off challenges and supply Brad who’s great cross was

  deflected into the net.

Man of the Match: Ben McGarry – Worked hard throughout making some vital clearances within the very solid back 5 to

  achieve yet another clean sheet.

ROSS

BEN Mc

HUDDY

NICK

MATT

BEN N

JACK

SAM

CHARLIE

MAX

BRAD