THE GOALS have dried up for Redditch United, who have gone three league matches without scoring having netted 26 times in their previous seven games.
They say football is a funny old game and it is fair to say you would have got long odds on Liam McDonald’s side failing to find the net in three successive Southern League Premier Division games.
In fairness to the Reds, they were unfortunate to follow last Wednesday’s creditable goalless draw at fellow high-flyers Corby Town with another 0-0 draw at home to lowly Burnham on Saturday as the visitors survived a barrage of attacks to leave the Valley Stadium with a point.
However, Monday’s home game against Hungerford Town was a disappointment as the Reds – without creative midfielders Calvin Dinsley and Ashley Sammons – were beaten 2-0 as the visitors struck twice in the first half to move level on points with Redditch, who have slipped outside the play-off places to sixth.
McDonald is not a man to panic, but he will be keen to see his side hit the goal trail again as soon as possible, preferably in Saturday’s trip to Biggleswade Town which is followed by a home game against Dorchester Town on Monday.
The manager gave a full debut to Dinsley on Saturday and the former Stourport Swifts man turned in a man of the match display but neither he or his team-mates could find the back of the net.
Alex Lynch was in inspired form between the sticks for Burnham and the closest the hosts came to scoring was in the ninth minute when Dinsley struck the post.
Sammons was twice denied by Lynch and George Carline also threatened, but Burnham could have snatched a shock lead on the hour mark when Anthony Mendy’s strike at an open goal following an error from home keeper Sam Hornby was deflected inches wide.
Burnham had midfielder Kurtney Brooks sent off ten minutes from time after he collected two yellow cards in quick succession but, despite substitute Dior Angus twice going close either side of the dismissal, there was no way through for the Reds.
Whilst United were unlucky on Saturday, it has to be said they were below-par on Monday and Hungerford deserved their victory.
Hungerford opened the scoring with their first foray into the Redditch area on 11 minutes when Matt Collins’ corner was headed on by James Rusby and Mark Draycott was unchallenged as he volleyed home at the far post.
There was almost an instant response from the Reds but Simeon Maye’s strike went just wide after a fine approach play by Jermaine Hylton.
Lee Smith’s stunning 25-yard volley into the top left-hand corner made it 2-0 nine minutes before the break and, although Liam Spink and skipper Leavi Oshungbure went close either side of the break, it was another frustrating blank for the hosts.
