Late, Late Goal Foils Reds .....

Tuesday 27th October 2009

Redditch United 1 vs 1 Kettering Town - F.A. Cup 4th Qualifying Round Replay

The Reds were denied a place in the first round proper of the world’s greatest knockout cup competition in the cruellest of circumstances.

Prevented from completing one of the cup upsets of the round at the weekend when the Poppies controversially grabbed an equalising goal in the sixth minute of time added on at Rockingham Road, they were left stunned and shocked at the manner in which they eventually lost Tuesday night’s replay at the Valley Stadium.

This time, after the fourth official had held up the board to indicate three minutes more to be added on to the second period of extra time, Kettering broke into the Reds penalty area to sneak a dramatic winning goal after more than four minutes extra had elapsed!

And this after Kettering had twice offered them a lifeline by missing two second half penalties… Manager Gary Whild and his battling team had felt hard done by on Saturday. This time round the frustration and disappointment was clear for all to see. Most of the Redditch players slumped to the turf on the final whistle in sheer disbelief that it was Kettering who would be making the first round trip to the North-East to face Hartlepool United and not themselves.

But Redditch – the result apart – should not feel downhearted and should instead take considerable comfort from the many positives that there were. They put everything into Saturday’s first meeting and the effort in the replay more than matched it. They were easily the equals of Kettering, who sit in a division higher, and they fully deserved the ovation they were accorded at the end by the crowd of 1,101.

Admittedly the first half was a pretty tawdry affair – although it was high octane. There was plenty of action and effort all over the park but sadly it was lacking in quality with hardly a worthwhile chance created or decent shot at goal from either side.

Kettering’s main threat was the long throw-in of former Reds defender Exodus Geohaghon but the home side’s back four of Jerry Gill, Lucas Spittle, Liam Francis and Asa Charlton dealt with his missile delivery with considerable aplomb throughout and were ably backed by goalkeeper Danny Lewis.

The nearest the visitors came to opening the scoring was in the 28th minute when Lewis blocked a close range effort from Danny Thomas on the line.

The second half was a vast improvement and as the game wore on Redditch offered more threat to the Poppies goal, especially with James Dance orchestrating a string of incisive moves and putting across a number of fine crosses that brought near misses.

The overdue breakthrough looked to have arrived in the 52nd minute when Charlton brought down the lively and speedy Moses Ashikodi in the penalty box but he got up and ballooned the spot kick high over the crossbar.

Lewis then made good saves from Ashikodi as he attempted to atone before Redditch themselves came close to snatching the glory five minutes from the end of normal time. Dance slammed a shot against the inside of the post with Kettering’s Lee Harper well beaten but the ‘keeper got up to grab Jack Byrne’s goalbound effort from the rebound on the line.

The commitment continued from both sides into the extra period and Kettering were awarded a rather dubious penalty in the 118th minute. This time Spittle appeared to make a perfect tackle on Ashikodi but referee Steve Martin (Stafford) thought otherwise and once again pointed to the spot. And to add insult to injustice he also booked the Reds defender.

But once again Ashikodi spurned the chance to break the deadlock and this time scuffed his shot against a post.

Redditch might have thought it was going to be their night at that stage and although they came close again to creating an upset it was Kettering who broke the hearts of the vast majority of the crowd when Ashikodi, constantly a source of danger, broke into the home penalty area. His shot was beaten away by Lewis but bounced up invitingly for substitute Jean Paul Marna, who had been on the pitch for less than 10 minutes, to head over the ‘keeper’s outstretched arms for the elusive and decisive goal.

Really rough justice on Redditch whose efforts all around deserved better and are surely worthy of another bumper crowd this Saturday when they entertain Harrogate Town in the Blue Square North Division at the Valley Stadium (3pm). 

Reds: Lewis, Gill, Charlton, Clarke, Spittle, Francis, Byrne, Hands, Hay, Dance, Ducros

Subs: Bridgwater (for Spittle) Not Used: Ashton, Sheldon, Moraka, Bullimore, Semper, Hegarty

Goals:

Referee: S.J.Martin

Attendance: 1101

Match report provided courtesy of The Redditch Advertiser

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