Redditch Hockey Club

Redditch Ladies Firsts were beaten 4-1 at home to Old Silhillians, but the score line was a tad harsh on the Kingfishers who were a matched their opponents for much of the game.

Redditch were quick out the blocks, Emma Preston and Anna Stafford creating chances inside the first five minutes.

But at the other end Danni Nevitt was twice called upon to break down attacks from the visitors.

The first opportunity of note came in the ninth minute, the Silhillians goalkeeper diving at Stafford’s feet after Sam Donlon played her into a one-on-one situation.

Angie Taylor then found Preston in the fifteenth minute, who ran the ball round several players before crossing from the edge of the D, with the goalkeeper just managing to gather the situation.

The visitors were building in confidence though, and Nevitt under pressure from two attackers did well to clear the ball away from danger after Old Silhillians made a break.

The deadlock was broken in the 23^rd minute though, the visitors taking the lead after Redditch failed to clear a scramble in the D.

Redditch regrouped though, and were back on level terms five minutes later, Stafford running the ball through midfield before padding to Donlon whose shot went under the keeper to equalise.

And buoyed on by their equaliser it was the Kingfishers who finished the half stronger, winning two short corners that could have seen the home side take the lead going in at the break.

But Redditch fell behind again shortly after half time, a shot from the visitors deflected in by Nevitt on the line in the 39^th minute.

It was a lead Old Silhillians wouldn’t relinquish, and they moved further ahead three minutes later after slicing through the home defence.

Redditch were still in with a shout, the introduction of Leah Healey providing another option on the wing, while Donlon had a chance gathered up by the goalkeeper in the 47^th minute after an incisive move by the Redditch midfield.

Five minutes later though and Old Silhillians as good as finished the game off by scything through the Redditch defence to move 4-1 ahead.

To their credit Redditch were still working hard, Preston, Stafford and Becky Southwell combining well in midfield on several occasions, and it was the Kingfishers who finished the game stronger with the visitors only too happy to sit back and defend their lead.

But despite several efforts in the last few minutes, Redditch were unable to make any inroads into Old Silhillians’ lead, and drop to sixth in the Worcestershire League Division 1.