Redditch Mens Firsts remained top of the MRHA West Midlands Division One after a deceptively comprehensive 12-3 win over bitter local rivals Bromsgrove, with Anthony Brookes hitting a stunning double hat trick.
The score line would suggest an easy win, but in truth it was anything but after an extremely nervy first half that saw the Kingfishers concede three quick goals having surged to a four goal lead inside the first 17 minutes.
Brookes pounced to give the Kingfishers the lead in the fifth minute after Steve Cook had seen his shot saved by the Bromsgrove goalkeeper.
Richard Sellors doubled the lead in the 11th minute after Brookes and Dave Smith combined well in midfield.
Cook made it three in the 15th minute after skipper Andy Brooks had dribbled to the D before passing to the unmarked Cook.
Two minutes later, the large gathering of Redditch supporters on the sidelines could have been forgiven for thinking the game was over after Brookes grabbed his second of the game after good work from Brooks.
However Bromsgrove showed great determination and ended the half very much the strongest.
They showed signs of retaliation after forcing until then quiet Redditch goalkeeper Scott Paul into making a decent save from a short corner.
The visitors then cut through the Kingfishers defence in the 26th minute and beat Paul to pull one goal back.
Two minutes later and Bromsgrove were firmly back in the game after Paul made an error allowing Bromsgrove through.
Nerves were really heightened two minutes later after the resilient visitors pulled a third goal back.
Half time couldn’t come soon enough for the league leaders, with real signs that all was not going well with tempers beginning to flare.
But as has happened so often in the past, coach Wayne Beard gave his boys a dressing down at the interval and the home side suddenly started playing like promotion contenders again.
Sellors grabbed his second of the game three minutes after the restart, and Brookes should have had his hat trick in the 46th minute after some superb skill around the edge of the D, only to flick his shot inches over the crossbar.
But five minutes later, Brookes completed his first hat trick after his shot was deflected in off a Bromsgrove defender.
He wasn’t finished yet though.
A great run from Jason Ellis-Woodley down the wing beat the Bromsgrove defenders before passing to Brookes on the edge of the D who unleashed a powerful shot into the back of the net to put Redditch 7-3 ahead in the 53rd minute.
With Bromsgrove heads dropping, Redditch moved up another gear, and scored five goals in five minutes to end the game in style.
An aerial cross from Ben Husbands found Dave Smith who then passed on to Brookes on the edge of the D, unleashing another fierce shot to grab his fifth of the game.
Woodley then got his first of the game following a decent run with a strong shot past the Bromsgrove keeper from the edge of the D.
Brookes then completed his double hat trick after great build up play from himself and Dave Smith.
Skipper Andy Brookes then joined in the fun after being found on the edge of the D by Wayne Beard.
And Woodley grabbed rampant Redditch’s 12th goal with virtually the last touch of the game.
Redditch will now hope to keep up the form shown in the second half as they travel to league basement club Ludlow, where nothing other than a strong win will be expected.
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