Match Report: Worcester Pippins vs Redditch Badgers

On the anticipation of playing a younger Worcester team, it was a good opportunity to give some of our other juniors the chance to play in a full 11 aside game.

Worcester started off very strong, and it was soon clear that this was not the side we had beaten only a few weeks before. The Redditch defence, which included 3 of the new starters, were under a lot of pressure and after several shots going wide Worcester got the opening goal within the first 10 minutes which was quickly followed up by the 2nd.

After this Redditch seemed to get into the rhythm of the game and match the intensity, they had not seen from an opposition team this season, with this the opportunities started to come, and Theo Cook weaved his way through the defence and with a low drive beat the keeper to hit the backboard.

This was a great confidence boost to the team and the momentum slowly swung in Redditch’s favour, however, shortly before the half-time whistle, Worcester were able to make a break, and finding themselves 2 on one with the last defender and no Redditch keeper they were able to get their 3rd of the half.

After the break Redditch were back on the attack with most of the action being played in Worcester half, but Redditch couldn’t break down their defence, and the Worcester keeper was called up on to make numerous saves, and a shot from 9 year old debutant Joshua Dobson, went agonisingly wide.

Worcester gained two further breakaway goals late in the 2nd half to win 5 – 1 on the night, but it was great to see a new-look Redditch team grow both in confidence and knowledge on the pitch, and it bodes well for the future of the Badgers team as the senior players must step up to the adult sides.