Redditch Hockey Club

Redditch Ladies First team’s good recent form came to an end on Saturday after going down 3-0 at Old Silhillians in the Worcs LHL Division 1.

Fresh from a 2-1 win against Harborne the previous weekend, despite having only nine players on the field, hopes were high against a team that were several points behind the Reds in the league.

But Redditch were unable to carry their momentum into the game, and in truth never really challenged Old Silhillians, who were good value for their victory.

The home side started the stronger with some good early pressure, though Redditch fought back in the 12^th minute when Jo Cook and Sam Donnelly combined well in midfield, allowing Cook into the D only to shoot narrowly wide.

Old Silhillians took the lead in the 18^th minute after Redditch’s defence failed to deal with a short corner, and three minutes later the lead was doubled in similar fashion. Redditch continued to look vulnerable from set pieces, and Old Silhillians rattled the post with a shot from a short corner in the 28^th minute.

The Kingfishers went on rare attack of their own a minute later, Olivia Laight and Cook combining well in midfield.

But Old Sills were also threatening from open play and would have been clear on goal had it not been for a superb tackle from Cook, who was at the centre of most of Redditch’s play.

Shortly after half time, Old Sills went 3-0 up, again scoring from a short corner.

The third goal seemed to be enough for the home side, who gradually began to sit back and allow Redditch to come further forward.

Kirtsy Stafford’s surging run and work with Cook forced a sideline ball in the 48^th minute, and the cross from Lindsay Morris narrowly trickled wide of the far post.

Cook then crossed dangerously into the D three minutes later, only to be left frustrated after no player come close to getting on the end of it.

The Old Silhillians goalkeeper was finally forced into making a save in the 53^rd minute after a decent shot from the dangerous Stafford.

Redditch continued to pressurise, and Laight had a golden opportunity to claim the Reds consolation goal with five minutes left to play, only to see her shot go agonisingly wide.

And that just about summed up Redditch’s afternoon-hard working but ultimately fruitless.

Please note there are no photos from this match, as Old Sills had some under-16’s on the field of play.