HOCKEY
REDDITCH Men’s Firsts made it two wins out of two in the Midlands League Division One after a 4-1 victory away to Barlaston.
After an early block from a sliding Adrian Young to deny Barlaston, Redditch upped their game and the pressure finally resulted in a goal when James Makin fired into the bottom corner off his reverse stick.
Redditch made it 2-0 with a top-corner finish from Chris Thomas.
The only disappointment in the first half for Redditch came when captain Andy Billingham fired the ball into the opposition’s D and accidentally hit his teammate Matt Walton in the hand, breaking a broken bone in his index finger.
Though Barlaston rallied as the second half got under way, Redditch added a third goal from a reverse sick strike from Jacob Beard from an acute angle.
Though an unlucky own goal from Young put Barlaston on the scoresheet, Billingham sealed the Redditch win with goal number four.
Anna Stafford scored twice to help Redditch Ladies seal an impressive 5-3 win against Pershore in the Worcestershire League Division One.
Redditch led 2-0 when Leanne Styzaker scored via the deflection of the goal keeper’s pads, shortly followed by a superb effort from captain Jodie Williams, who after carrying the ball past two of the opposition defenders, finish with taking an impressive shot.
Pershore replied with a goal but Redditch had a 3-2 half-time lead when Anna Dawson fired home from the middle of the D and gained some height, resulting in a brilliant goal over the keeper’s pads.
It was nip and tuck in the second half as Redditch keeper Amy Youster had to defend the opposition’s shots well before Ruth Waite, via a powerful push from centre D into bottom right corner, made it 4-3.
Dawson sealed the win moments before the final whistle following a strong cross via the right wing from Leanne Styzaker.
Redditch Men’s Fourths recovered from trailing 3-0 after 20 minutes to win 5-3 at Edgbaston.
Redditch started off the game with 10-men and Edgbaston took advantage before the introduction of Richard Sellors late on in the first half prompted the fightback
Russ Baldwin, who joined Redditch over the summer through the successful back to hockey programme, signalled the revival with his first goal since 1992/3.
Some excellent saves from goalkeeper Lee Wickersham kept it at 1-3 at half-time but a double from Sellors and a strong shot past the keeper from young left-winger Sean added to the tally. The game was wrapped up by a last minute shot from Ben Tominski which wrong-footed the keeper.
Elsewhere, the Men’s Thirds had an impressive 12- 0 win against Edgbaston’s 8s and Badgers drew 2-2 against Bromsgrove Reds.
