Redditch Hockey Club

Redditch Ladies Firsts secured a dramatic 1-1 draw against top of the table Harbourne on Saturday, with a last gasp goal ensuring they earned a deserved point.

Harbourne very nearly went ahead in the eighth minute, with Kirsty Stafford doing well to stop the shot on the line to keep Redditch in the game.

The visitors were wasteful in front of goal, shooting wide in the sixteenth minute, and hitting the post in the 22^nd.

But Harbourne weren’t controlling play, and Redditch were moving forward too. Emma Preston created an opportunity in the 17^th minute with a good run down the right wing before passing to Sam Donlon who was tackled after entering the D.

And another opportunity was offered up in the 24^th minute, when Redditch created chaos in the Harbourne D after a short corner, but when the ball was eventually cleared a sense that this was not to be Redditch’s day began to hover over the field of play.

This was further heightened nine minutes after the half time interval when Harbourne cut through the Kingfishers defence to take the lead.

But Redditch heads did not drop, and Preston had a chance to put Redditch on equal terms within two minutes of Harbourne going ahead, only to shoot narrowly wide after a short corner.

Anna Perrot went even closer two minutes later, only to see her shot saved by the keeper.

Harbourne were still dangerous though, and Stafford, a rock at the back all game was again on hand to break down an attack in the 52^nd minute.

It could have been game over a minute later though, Harbourne seeing a shot saved by Redditch keeper Rachael Turner, but then scoring with the follow-up, but the umpires had spotted a foul, and the goal was disallowed.

For the first time in the match, the visitors were beginning to control the play, and the ever-dependable Stafford was called upon again in the 59^th minute, stopping a shot from the Harbourne attack, with Turner showing her reflexes from the follow-up.

Turner was called into action again four minutes later, stopping a powerful shot that seemed destined for the goal.

Then, with just a minute remaining on the clock, Redditch made a break and Donlon was able to nudge the ball into the goal.

Harbourne retaliated, and twice had an opportunity to win the game in the dying seconds, only to shoot wide on both occasions, giving Redditch a hard-earned draw.

Redditch Ladies Seconds also gained a point away at Worcester with a 3-3 draw.

Worcester went a goal up inside eight minutes, and doubled their lead in the 21^st minute.

However Becky Butler got Redditch back into the match in the 26^th minute, and with half time looming, Karen Buckthorpe scored to equalise.

And in the 46^th minute Redditch took the lead, Buckthorpe again the scorer.

But with just two minutes left on the clock, Worcester breached the Redditch defence to equalise and deny the Kingfishers three points.