Redditch Mens Firsts continue to lead the way in the Bodykraft MRHA West Midlands Division One after an unconvincing 2-1 win away at Stafford.
After being in free-scoring mode for most of their opening seven games, the Kingfishers found Stafford to be a different proposition and would have been shocked to be goal less at half time.
When Stafford went ahead after half time it was even more of a surprise.
But to Redditch’s credit they fought back, and had skipper Andy Brooks to thank with two goals that eventually secured a hard-earned victory that could prove crucial at the end of the season.
The Kingfishers would have been glad to see the back of Stafford, but had to face the same team the next day in the England Hockey Mens Vase third round.
The away performance may have been underwhelming, but in cup-action, Redditch were back to their lethal best, and were able to give some new faces run-outs with little concern.
Rob Markham and James Makin, both performing well in the Redditch Seconds were both called up, and it was Makin in particular who made a name for himself, while Dan Jakeman was also given another run-out.
Initially it was Stafford piling on the pressure, and goalkeeper Scott Paul was called upon to make a save early on.
But in a sign of things to come, Makin made a break down the right, delivering a great ball across the face of goal, needing only the slightest of contact from a Redditch stick to put he Kingfishers ahead.
Makin was also involved in the next move, passing well to Dave Smith who rolled out and shot at goal, with the visiting keeper forced into making a save.
Redditch grabbed the lead in the 13th minute, with a nice move from a short corner, Smith crossing the ball to Jason Ellis-Woodley who layed it on for Ben Husband at the far post to tuck away his first goal for Redditch.
The visiting defence was then opened up again two minutes later, Ellis-Woodley, Makin and Steve Cook combining well in midfield.
Andy Brooks then had a chance from a short corner, but his goal bound shot was stopped on the line by a combination of goalkeeper and defender.
Antony Brookes went even closer in the 21st minute, hitting the crossbar from the edge of the D.
The missed chances came back to haunt Redditch moments later, Stafford equalising after working the ball around following a free hit.
Four minutes later and Redditch went back in front, Andy Thomas winning the ball in defence before passing to Brooks who ran with the ball through midfield before passing to Brookes, taking the ball round the keeper before scoring from a narrow angle.
It was a controlled first half performance, but the Kingfishers took a stranglehold in the second half.
Ellis Woodley got the ball rolling with a shot to put Redditch 3-1 ahead in the 43rd minute, completing a nice move between Brooks and Smith.
There was a real concern moment later when after a Stafford attack, Dan Jakeman cleared a ball right onto a Stafford players knee, Jakeman showing a sporting side by helping his opponent off the pitch to receive treatment.
Play resumed after a short delay, and Husband fresh from his first goal fancied another, but his mis-hit shot in the 13th minute seemed to be heading wide until Smith turned the ball in at the post.
Makin was again involved a minute later, this time crossing to Smith, moving the ball onto Ellis-Woodley to grab his second and Redditch’s fifth of the game.
Pete Dawson then scored two goals in less than a minute to put Redditch 7-1 ahead, with Makin involved in Dawson’s first effort as well.
When Stafford got one back after a well worked move in the 60th minute it was nothing more than a consolation, a point confirmed when with four minutes remaining, Brookes fired in the Kingfishers eighth after Brooks had seen his initial shot saved by the goalkeeper.
Redditch now face a tie at home to Kent side Old Bordenians on the 14th February with a place in the quarter finals at stake.
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