REDDITCH United will head to Southern League Premier leaders King’s Lynn Town in good spirits despite the disappointment of twice surrendering the lead in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Bishop’s Stortford.
The prolific Dior Angus gave the Reds a third-minute lead – his 17th goal of the campaign – with a neat finish from an acute angle but the hosts could not build on a dominant first half display and Dipo Akinyemi drew the visitors level five minutes before the break with an impressive finish.
Defender Orrin Pendley restored United’s advantage in the 59th minute when he powerfully headed home from a corner but the Hertfordshire side hit back again 18 minutes from time when Pauly Apostolopoulos turned the ball into his own net.
Angus could and probably should have sealed maximum points for the hosts late on but could not convert during a goalmouth scramble and two points disappointingly slipped away for the Reds.
However, with new attacking signing Stuart Fleetwood available for the seventh placed Reds, boss Darren Byfield believes his men are more than capable of giving the Norfolk table-toppers a stern test at The Walks Stadium on Saturday.
Fleetwood has received international clearance to rubber-stamp his move from Merthyr Town and Byfield is confident in his side’s ability as they look to inflict just a second home league defeat of the season on the Linnets.
“Our performances have been good all season and we are still up there among the play-off hopefuls,” Byfield said on the club’s social media.
“The game on Saturday is a massive test for us, but we will go into the match with great confidence that we can come away with a result.
“We are delighted to have Stuart join the club. He brings with him an impressive goalscoring pedigree as well as valuable experience, which I believe will help us continue our promotion challenge going into the rest of the season.”
Redditch, whose scheduled midweek trip to Slough Town was postponed due to the hosts’ FA Trophy replay, are seven points outside the play-off places having played three more games than fifth placed Hereford. However, second and third placed Weymouth and Tiverton Town are just two points better off than the Bulls and the Reds have a game in hand on both of these sides.
