Deja-vu, but a better opposition makes for more optimism.
Our first away trip took us to Old Hales, a team who were playing in Division 7 last year. A few changes of personnel and a change of formation was required and perhaps that showed as we were behind early once more and 2-0 down by half-time, although some encouragement could be taken from the fact that both goals were well-made and not the consequences of our own mistakes.
Despite drawing encouragement from some strong attacking moments throughout the match, any thoughts of a second half comeback were quashed five minutes after the restart when Old Hales were awarded a penalty stroke after Redditch defender Steve Gray wore a shot from a short corner on the arm when trying to clear the ball. The stroke was converted, finding the narrowest of gaps between the Redditch keeper’s stick and the post. A flurry of green cards followed, including Redditch’s AS for failing to retreat the required five yards, but it wasn’t until both teams returned to their full 11 that Old Hales found a fourth.
Another discouraging scoreline but an encouraging performance and signs of improvement from the previous week, Goalkeeper AW was voted player of the match for several good saves and vital interceptions, especially in the second half.
