Well, where do I start??
I woke up to breaking news on Sky Sports that we would be missing our colossal defender JP today through illness, on top of our captain being unavailable… the sky pundits gave us little chance today after this devastating blow.
Turning up at Redditch, I can only describe that pitch as a swamp. Easily the worst we’ve played on this season. It did make me laugh that their chairman was asking us not to do any shuttle warmups on the pitch, to try not to wreck it more ??
Onto the game, Hampton started on the back foot, and as expected we were slip-sliding all over the place and the heavy boots made it difficult to get the ball clear. Redditch broke the deadlock early and it was a worrying sign. The lads did respond and started to get to grips with the pitch and rolled their sleeves up, with Fin breaking clear but unfortunately shooting into the side netting. Then came a moment of magic, Redditch on the attack, got good connection on the cross which fooled everyone, landing flush on their attackers head with the goal at his mercy, but Harrison pulled off a world-class save to keep it at 1-0. Unbelievable Jeff!!
Rushy was then unleashed, with the instructions to gamble on everything using his pace. Soon enough we were 1-1, trademark Rushy bolting down the wing, with his first effort saved he followed up to slot home. Battles all over the pitch, the lads trudged through the mud and came in at half time evens stevens.
The second half started as the first half ended, but it was first blood to Redditch, with an absolute screamer. Now, we shouldn’t have allowed him to run the length of the pitch with the ball, but when he hit it, it went top corner and all I could do was applaud the finish.
Rushy wasn’t done though and gambled on a Harrison kick, drove to the byline and passed it across for Fin to smash home from a yard out, 2-2!
With both teams pressing, tackles flying in everywhere, this was some game. 4 minutes to go, Redditch scrambled a goal, heartbreak.
Did Hampton give up? Did they heck, first Harry caught one that was destined for the top corner, only for the keeper to get a fingernail to it and tip onto the post. Then Rushy also caught one and I swear it hit the same spot on the post that Harry just hit!! How’s your luck?
Everyone in the box for a flurry of corners and throw ins, but we just couldn’t get the equaliser that we deserved, and the game finished 3-2.
In great spirits, both coaching teams congratulated both sets of players on a fantastic game, along with the boys being clapped off the pitch by the opposition parents. That tells you enough, we were served up a treat by the two teams today.
Rushy’s contribution to the game deserves a mention, because he got a goal and an assist, but everyone contributed today to a wonderful game, battling hard and really having a go.
Josh M got the vote for man of the match, because he was simply outstanding at left back. Calm and composed for the entire game, another boy who has improved across the season so far and thoroughly deserved his sweets!
Very proud of all the lads today, it’s a shame there had to be a losing team, but that’s football.
Have a fantastic Christmas, I look forward to starting again with the lads in January!
Up the Reds ??
