Redditch Hockey Club

Redditch Mens Seconds suffered a second defeat on the bounce, this time away at third placed Shrewsbury, but put up a stern fight.

Redditch had four regular players missing, but solid performances in midfield from promising youngsters Dean Farmer, James Makin and Dave Pilkington ensured they carried a potent attacking threat, while Dan Jakeman put in a sterling display, proving a rock at the centre of the park.

After a slow start on a difficult pitch, Redditch fell behind inside five minutes, but replied with a superb goal, the ball played around nicely from a 16-yard hit and with five simple passes Shrewsbury were torn apart allowing Ben Hyde to grab a goal on his debut.

And Redditch had reversed the score line by half time, Dave Baker firing home from a penalty corner to send the Reds 2-1 ahead at the break.

However the second half proved more difficult, and an experienced Shrewsbury side were able to score three goals to win the game 4-2.

But with Redditch still top of the table on goal difference at the Christmas break, captain Adrian Young could not be happier with his men.

“I am proud of that the team has managed to achieve so far this season,” said the skipper.

“Being top at Christmas is way beyond expectations and I hope the lads can keep up the enthusiasm we have shown so far and hopefully we can be in the same position come the end of the season.”

Redditch Mens Threes secured a brilliant 6-4 away win at top of the table Droitwich in a bizarre game.

Alex Ward opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes with a well-taken goal before Droitwich equalised.

But Redditch moved back in front less than a minute later, Tom Newton picking the ball up in midfield before running with it all the way into the D, taking on several defenders in the process before scoring.

Droitwich equalised again before half time but Redditch moved ahead again after half time through Jason Abbots whose follow through with his stick caught a Droitwich defender on the head causing a lengthy delay in proceedings whilst medical attention was sought.

Droitwich re-grouped and scored two goals in quick succession to move ahead for the first time in the game.

But Matt Grubb levelled for Redditch and from there on in Droitwich, already a man down through the earlier injury, began to lose their heads and went another man down after seeing a player yellowed.

Then, their goalkeeper was given a red-card after tacking a Redditch player outside his area, leaving Droitwich with eight players, one of them having to take up the vacant goalkeeper position with little in the way of protection.

The advantage was firmly in Redditch’s grasp and they inevitably moved ahead moments later with Terry Dean hitting home from a penalty corner.

And it was Abbots who finished the game off in the final five minutes to give Redditch a vital win in the race for promotion.