REDDITCH Hockey Club’s respective teams enjoyed mixed fortunes last weekend

The women’s first team secured an impressive 5-1 win against Harborne 3rds although the men’s first team were beaten 7-2 at Lichfield 2nds.

And the women’s second team beat Droitwich 2nds 3-0 as the men’s second team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Olton and West Warwickshire 5ths.

The men’s fourth team went down 4-1 against Stourport 6ths whilst the Badgers were beaten 3-0 by Evesham.

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RESULTS

Olton and West Warwickshire Men’s 5ths 1-0 Redditch 2nds

Redditch were edged out by Olton and West Warwickshire despite a strong performance from the visitors.

The winning goal came after Redditch blocked a number of effort from consecutive short corners only for the home side to eventually force the ball home at the back post.

Redditch pushed for an equaliser thereafter but were unable to put the ball in the Olton net as they lost key players to injury and illnes throughout the game.

A win against Edgbaston 4ths this weekend should secured Redditch’s place in the league next season.

Stourport 6ths 4-1 Redditch 4ths (Development)

Redditch 4ths were beaten by an experienced and promotion-chasing Stourport team on their travels last weekend.

The visitors fielded a number of emerging talents and held their own despite the final scoreline as William Wright drew Redditch level with a cool finish from Elliot Ford’s pass after the home side had opened the scoring.

However, Stourport’s strength in depth proved vital as they led by one goal at the break and struck twice in the second period to secure a comfortable victory.

Droitwich Women’s 2nds 0-3 Redditch 2nds

Redditch’s women’s second team produced another excellent performance to beat Droitwich who started the game a player short which allowed the visitors to dominate from the off.

Following a series of penalty corners, Becki Clarke eventually broke the deadlock from open play as she forced the ball over the line from close range.

Droitwich were now back up to a full complement of players and worked their way back into the fixture before play was stopped after one of their players suffered an unfortunate head injury.

However, Redditch continued to dominate as Tula Williams doubled the away side’s lead from Frankie Griffiths strong pass.

And Redditch sealed the win thanks to excellent work down the right by Ava Goodman who then slotted the ball through for Elsie Simpson who applied the finish.

The win means Redditch now occupy a promotion place, with all of their league games played, with their fate to be decided this weekend when Stourport face Kings Heath.

A victory for Stourport would see them leapfrog Redditch in the table and earn promotion at their expense.

Evesham Badgers 3-0 Redditch Badgers

Redditch Badgers suffered defeat in Evesham despite the visitors making a strong start with every player, except the Redditch keeper, in the Evesham half.

However, Evesham defended well and eventually won a penalty corner at the other end as Redditch keeper Chloe Brookes blocked the initial effort only for the follow-up to be turned home.

Redditch looked to assert themselves straight from the restart as Ethan Cook and Freya Williams won their individual battles in the middle of the pitch.

Ella Bourne worked tirelessly down the left wing as Alex and Ben Gilmour, the team’s newest members, impressed down the opposite flank as Redditch continued to be frustrated by the Evesham keeper.

Redditch spurned further chances in the second half as fatigue began to set in due to a lack of substitutes and the hot weather.

This allowed Evesham to pick up the ball behind the Redditch defence and double their lead before the home side scored a similar effort in the last minute to settle the game.

To Redditch’s credit, the team ran back to the centre line and forced a penalty corner as Ethan Cook’s initial shot struck a defender’s foot and had to be retaken with a second effort helped wide by the stick of an Evesham player.