Redditch Hockey Club

It was a mixed weekend of fortunes for Redditch Hockey Clubs men’s sides on Saturday, as the Mens Firsts continued their unbeaten start with a tight win away at Newtown, but the Mens Seconds were finally beaten at home to Streetly.

The Firsts won 4-3, but fell behind in the first half before goals from Andy Brooks and David Smith saw Redditch move ahead.

The lead was extended to two goals with another Smith effort before Newtown recovered to equalise at 3-3.

However Redditch were awarded a penalty flick and Brooks duly stepped up to give Redditch a lead they were not to relinquish this time around.

Redditch Mens Seconds saw their lead at the top of the table reduced to three points as Streetly became the first side to deny the Kingfishers a win this season.

Things started off well enough, Alan Povey putting Redditch ahead inside three minutes after good work from Ray Jakeman.

Streetly almost made an instant response, breaking well with Redditch goalkeeper Adrian Young called into action to clear the danger away.

Signs of a physical game to come were exhibited in the fifth minute though when Bryan Melliard was brought down, suffering an elbow in the face in the process.

The visitors were a definite threat going forward and put a shot wide in the sixth minute before Young was called into action again a minute later.

But Streetly were able to equalise after a penalty corner in the seventh minute.

Undeterred, Redditch continued to push forward with Kyle Haresign looking a threat, putting a cross right across the face of goal in the 12^th minute.

The pressure paid off, and Redditch won a penalty corner in the 20^th minute from which Lee Beedon scored to give the Kingfishers the lead once more.

Once again, the visitors made an instant response and were level again two minutes later following a scramble in the D.

Redditch were back in front in the 28^th minute, finally taking their chance after three penalty corners with Melliard moving round the defence to fire home.

Tempers were beginning to flare by now and Streetly went a man down after he was yellowed for unsporting conduct.

Despite this, the visitors continued pressing forward and James Makin was on hand to break down an attack after a decent tackle.

The story didn’t change after half time, with Streetly continuing to look dangerous, Young making a save in the 40^th minute to keep Redditch ahead.

Streetly were back on level terms seven minutes later though, after their attackers ran through the Redditch defence before flicking the ball over Young.

Somewhat unbelievably, Redditch went back ahead a minute later with Melliard again on target from a penalty corner.

As usual, Streetly were instantly back on the attack and Young was again in action to put a shot wide.

Under more pressure from a penalty corner, Paul Baker did well to block a shot that seemed destined for goal in the 56^th minute.

Povey then had a clear chance to put Redditch further in front, Tim Gibbs taking a free hit quickly before unleashing Povey who went one-on-one with the goalkeeper only to shoot narrowly wide.

Meanwhile back up the other end a combination of Baker and Melliard stopped Streetly from advancing further when on a decent break.

But the visitors were level again in the 63^rd minute, with a shot from a narrow angle going through both Melliard and Young’s legs before hitting the backboard.

Povey had another opportunity with four minutes remaining, but hit the post after being put through by Gibbs.

It was Streetly that finished stronger though, and Young made a vital challenge with three minutes remaining with the Streetly attacker otherwise clear on goal.

Another Streetly shot was put wide moments later before Redditch made a break through Haresign passing to Beedon who saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper.

Then with a minute remaining Streetly had three penalty corners in a row, and made the final one stick after playing the ball around well to go ahead for the first time.

And with little time remaining, Redditch had no chance to respond and now contemplate another difficult game, this time away at fellow high-flyers Shrewsbury on Saturday.

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