Redditch Hockey Club

It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for Redditch Hockey Club’s 1st XI. A heavy 6-1 defeat at Stratford on Saturday was avenged with a 4-4 draw at Wednesbury on Sunday, but a single point from two games that were deemed to be winnable is not what Redditch needed in the battle against relegation.
 

Pete Dawson continued his scoring ways grabbing the only goal in Saturdays defeat. The Kingfishers made things hard early on, quickly going 2-0 down.

Dawson’s pacy run into the D and resulting shot brought Redditch back into the game, but only for a glimmering moment as Stratford went back up the other end and restored their two goal cushion almost immediately.
 

But Redditch emerged strong after half time, and while not creating many chances were looking comfortable at the back. But with the tie looking set to end in a 3-1 win for Stratford, the Redditch back line suddenly conceded three goals in the final five minutes.
 

The Reds put the demoralising defeat behind them on Sunday though, securing a hard fought 4-4 draw against fellow strugglers Wednesbury, with Steve Cook increasing his season tally to 11 goals, with two, while skipper Andy Brooks and Richard Sellors also grabbed a goal each.
 

Redditch now lie third from bottom in the West Midlands Premier, level on points with second from bottom Wednesbury.

Finchfield are next up for Redditch, a team that were beaten 5-4 in this seasons reverse fixture, and a similar result would be exactly the boost required to kick start the Kingfishers’ faltering season.