Weekend Match Report Round Up: Saturday 1st October 2022

Barford Tigers 2s Vs Redditch 1s

The Men’s 1st team travelled away to Barford Tigers this weekend to continue their campaign and attempt to secure another win for this season. The game between the 2 started off quickly with Redditch having large amounts of possession and offensive pressure causing some difficulty for Barford Tigers. Some strong midfield play with Jacob Beard, Dan Jakeman and Harry Williams gave opportunities for Redditch with several chances going just wide of the goal.

Barford Tigers grew into the game quickly and had offensive pressure and opportunities of their own, but strong defensive efforts from Redditch’s back four held these chances off. Redditch were awarded a key short corner which they would feel unfortunate not to have gained a penalty flick as a result of a great deflection from Andy Billingham, this led the game into a goalless first half of hockey.

The second half started similarly to the first with chances from both Redditch and Barford drawing saves from both teams goalkeepers but it was Barford who opened the scoring with a short corner flicked into the bottom corner. Redditch motivated by falling behind mounted the pressure on Barford with hard work from forwards Connor Adams and Jack Gwyer which led to Redditch drawing the game level with a solid strike from Mike Richards. The game ultimately ended 1-1. Redditch travel away to Bloxwich on Saturday 8th October aiming to add to their points tally.

Final score: Barford Tigers 1 – 1 Redditch

Redditch Men’s 4s (Development) vs Redditch Men’s 3s

The second week of the season had the mouth-watering prospect of a rare competitive intra-club league game for Redditch HC’s men’s teams. The ambitious Bromsgrove Road Club have expanded back to four men’s league teams, but with their Third and Development Teams now in the same Division a clash was inevitable. The Development Team in their first game of the season, showed the incredible age range of players available for senior teams, with twelve-year-olds making the step up from Badgers for the first time to boss the midfield; whilst the most experienced defender was more than six times older, the match also featured the return of some former players who looked like they hadn’t missed a beat.

The first half was lively and closely contested, with the 3rds being dominant in possession but matched by a resilient and determined Development Team.  A single goal to the 3rds was all that separated the teams in the first half, until the last hit of the period doubled the advantage.  The second half was similarly competitive, with the 3rds again getting a further brace, making the final score 4-0. Brothers Miller and Marshall Glen both scored for the second consecutive week, with goals also for Leo Jones and Brandon Simpson, with 14 year old Centre Midfielder Elliot Ford taking centre stage with his quick hands and intricate passing getting a couple of assists. Next week sees the 3rd team travel away to Barford Tigers, whilst the 4th team remain at home to face Harborne 5s Development.

Final score Redditch 4s 0-4 Redditch 3s

Other results saw defeats for both Redditch Men’s 2s, losing 0 – 2 to City of Birmingham 1s and Redditch Women’s 1s losing 4-1 to Bromsgrove 2s. Unfortunately, late cancellations by oppositions left both the Women’s 2s and Badgers without a game.