Redditch look to extend unbeaten run - The Redditch Standard

Redditch look to extend unbeaten run

Redditch Editorial 19th Nov, 2015 Updated: 18th Oct, 2016   0

REDDITCH United are back on home soil on Saturday looking to extend their unbeaten league run to eight matches when they host Biggleswade Town.

Liam McDonald’s in-form side are now up to second in the Southern League Premier Division – four points behind leaders Poole Town – after securing a hard fought 0-0 draw at fellow promotion hopefuls Hungerford Town in testing conditions on Monday.

Manager McDonald was satisfied with his side’s efforts – particularly a superb fifth successive league clean sheet – as they again took something from the latest in a gruelling run of fixtures which has also yielded victories at high-flying Leamington and Chippenham Town.

McDonald, who has put in seven-day approaches for two “very good” players in a bid to provide his squad with more options, admitted a point at Hungerford was a fair reflection of the game and now wants his side to return to winning ways when they take on their Bedfordshire visitors.




“A point apiece was the right outcome between two good sides who are hard to beat,” he said.

“The weather was awful and made life difficult for both teams, who were well organised, so I cannot be unhappy with a point.


“The game did open up more in the second half and we had a few decent openings, as did Hungerford but, given the paper-thin squad we travelled with and the recent run of fixtures we’ve had, it wasn’t easy.

“We do have some key players missing and that’s why I’m looking to just strengthen us a bit. On Monday we were probably a Kyle Haynes or a Jamey Osborne short of getting the win, just that added bit of quality really.

“However, defensively, and I mean defending from the front as a team, we were excellent again and I cannot fault the boys in this respect.

“Every match you know what you’re going to get from Calum Flanagan and Will Richards and it’s the same with Jim Mutton now. He is a no-nonsense defender but also looking cultured now and capable of bringing the ball out of defence, which is really helping us keep possession and linking the play with the midfield.

“Jim is only 20, but it’s no surprise we’ve had people watching him. It’s great that he’s a Redditch lad doing so well for the team and if he keeps going like this he has a very bright future in the game.”

Against Biggleswade, McDonald will be able to call on the services of the versatile Jordan Cullinane-Liburd (suspended) and Troy Baker (tonsillitis) after both missed Monday’s game, although Robbie Bunn, Simeon Maye and Osborne are all likely to be a couple of weeks away from a first team return as they seek to return to full fitness.

Therefore, McDonald, who revealed impressive young right back Cameron Young will remain in the starting line-up this weekend, has acknowledged a couple of new additions will prove handy as his side look to maintain their fine form.

He added: “We were pretty threadbare on Monday. I do like working with a tight-knit squad but we could do with a bit of help so I’ve got seven days in for two very good players who, if I can get in, will help the squad and push the other players on.

“They are both fit enough and good enough to play straight away, so hopefully there will be some positive news on this front soon.”

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