Football
Plenty of festive action in store

AN EXCITING match is in prospect at the Valley Stadium on Boxing Day (3pm) when in-form Redditch United bid to continue their climb up the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division with victory against a talented Stourbridge side.

The Glassboys, who recently defeated Plymouth Argyle on their way to reaching the second round of the FA Cup, will arguably provide the biggest test in what has been a fine run for Graham Hyde's resurgent team - who have won five of their last six matches to climb to 12th place.

After Saturday's 1-0 victory at Bedford Town - the Reds' third successive clean sheet - Hyde said: "It's all about the players, they have been magnificent, and the results in five of the last six games show this.

"Our desire and spirit on the pitch is clear to see and the Boxing Day derby match promises to be an occasion not to be missed."

Redditch, who then visit Evesham United and Leamington on December 31 and January 2 respectively (both 3pm), were good value for their weekend victory.

The visitors were the better side in the first half and deservedly took the lead on the half hour mark when Lee Osborne converted with aplomb at the far post after a fine cross from the right by Tom Berwick.

Some excellent defending and smart goalkeeping from Dean Coleman after the break ensured the lead was protected and Hyde's now settled side can target more positive results over the festive period.

RESURGENT Studley head into Boxing Day's (3pm) visit of local rivals Alvechurch in buoyant mood after Saturday's dramatic 3-1 victory at Dunkirk made it 23 points out of the last 36 available in the Midland Alliance.

In contrast, the men from Lye Meadow endured a week of frustration as the visits of both Kirby Muxloe and Boldmere St Michaels on Saturday and Tuesday respectively were postponed.

Saturday's match was postponed due to a frozen Lye Meadow surface and then Tuesday's encounter fell victim to a waterlogged pitch.

The visit of Kirby Muxloe has been rearranged to take place on Tuesday, January 17 at 7.45pm, whilst Boldmere will now arrive on Tuesday, January 10 at 7.45pm.

Before that, however, an important match against fellow strugglers Highgate United takes place at Lye Meadow on December 29 at 7.45pm.

The Bees were full value for their success at Dunkirk despite finishing the match with just nine men.

After a bright start which saw numerous chances squandered Studley were made to pay in the 26th minute when Jarrod Westcarr took advantage of slack defending to put the hosts ahead.

However, Lee Adams' side, for whom goalkeeper Richard Taylor and midfielder Kieran Robotham made impressive debuts, hit back after the break.

Lei Brown grabbed the equaliser in the 57th minute with a neat finish but his match ended five minutes later when he and the hosts' Tarr were sent off following an off the ball incident.

Shortly afterwards striker Jamie Bailey was red-carded for the alleged use of an elbow, but Studley responded superbly to their numerical disadvantage and striker Paul Dowsett twice finished clinically in the final quarter of an hour to clinch maximum points for the Bees who are now up to 16th.