Redditch Hockey Club

Redditch Hockey Club finally secured a first home win of the season, and in doing so lifted themselves out of the bottom two of the MRHA West Midlands Premier after a nervy confrontation with basement boys Kidderminster.

The game was hard fought, and the final scoreline of 3-2 was a surprise considering Kidderminsters woeful form that saw them relegated without a point many weeks ago.

The match was certainly tougher than the reverse fixture in November, in which Redditch ran out 7-0 winners, but few would have predicted such a struggle this time around after Richard Sellors went close for Redditch with less than 30 seconds on the clock.

Almost immediately it became clear that Kidderminster were going to get all 10 outfield players firmly behind the ball, and even though Redditch were winning several short corners and dominating play, they were struggling to break down the visitors resilient defence.

Redditch thought they had taken the lead in the tenth minute, but the umpire disallowed Steve Cook’s shot from a free hit, and another chance went wasted in the 26^th minute when Chris Thomas’s defence splitting pass was just too fast for the out stretched Cook, who would have been clear on goal.

But the game came to life in the final minutes of the half.

Despite their dominance, Redditch fell behind, Kidderminster taking the lead in the 33^rd minute with a goal from a short corner.

The goal was a huge shock, and Redditch goalkeeper Scott Paul had been a spectator up until then as Redditch piled forward.

But Kidderminster’s lead was to last barely a minute-Redditch responding immediately, with Dave Smith on hand to fire home from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

It was Kidderminster though, who should have been in front at half time, and Redditch had keeper Scott Paul to thank after a fine save on the line.

Coach Wayne Beard was visibly angry at the break, and with good reason. The Reds were missing the confidence displayed last time out at Stone, and had been wasteful in front of goal, indeed they should have been several goals clear by half time.

And Redditch appeared to take notice, Steve Dawes and Anthony Brookes going close in the opening minutes of the second half.

Yet seven minutes into the half, it was Kidderminster who went in front again, after Redditch failed to clear a short corner.

Again, Redditch replied within a few minutes, the cool headed Dave Smith firing home from close range once more.

The Kingfishers continued to pile on the pressure, and Pete Dawson had an opportunity to put the Reds in front for the first time, but shot wide.

Anthony Brookes went even closer moments later, his shot going into the side-netting.

There was almost a sense of inevitability that Redditch were going to score, and it was no surprise when skipper Andy Brooks fired home into the roof of the net from a short corner, to give Redditch the lead for the first time.

It was a lead that was very nearly built upon by Anthony Brookes whose aerial shot was stopped mid-air by a Kidderminster defender, with the goalkeeper nowhere to be seen.

And for once it was Redditch who finished the game the strongest, Anthony Brookes in the thick of the action again, only to see his shot saved by the keeper.

Redditch now face a trip to mid-table Walsall on Saturday, and know that a win there and a poor result for Wednesbury could see them safe from relegation.