Friday, May 18th, 2012
Report by the
AN INJURY time goal from Jake Jones handed Redditch all three points in this thrilling bank holiday clash.
And they did it with just ten men after midfielder Aaron Forde was sent off just moments after netting a 73rd minute equaliser against one of the league’s frontrunners.
Leamington started the better and should have been two goals ahead inside the opening ten minutes.
Redditch keeper Dean Coleman made a brilliant double save on four minutes, parrying a Jacob Blyth shot before somehow keeping out Luke Corbett’s follow-up.
Four minutes later and Corbett squandered another glorious chance when he pushed a shot wide after ghosting in behind the United defence.
After such a shaky start, the Reds came more into the game as the half wore on with Lee Osborne firing across the box on 20 minutes while Brakes defender James Mace sent a header just over his own crossbar.
The opening goal came on 38 minutes when Blyth punished some hesitant defending to prod home Craig Owen’s corner from six yards.
Two minutes later and Richard Batchelor should have doubled the lead when he nipped in to meet an Owen free-kick only to lift the ball over the target.
Leamington continued to hold the upper hand at the start of the second period with Batchelor putting a long-range effort just too high before Blyth directed a header straight into Coleman’s arms.
Forde hauled Redditch level when his corner flew in at the far corner and the goal prompted the visitors to play their best football of the game.
A red card for the United goalscorer failed to knock the Reds off their stride and Jones missed a golden chance five minutes from time when he fired over from eight yards.
But the teenage winger made amends by netting the winner a minute into injury time, latching on to an inch perfect Joe Halsall pass that split the Brakes defence before coolly steered his shot beyond keeper Lee Evans.
Reds: Coleman 6, Knott 7, Stringfellow 7, Forde 3, Williams 6, Grimes 8, Moses-Garvey 6, Halsall 8, Deabill 7, OSBORNE 8, Jones 7. Subs (not used): Hurdman, Clarke, Travis, O’Callaghan, Bedford.
Report by
TEN-MAN Reds produced a tremendous show of grit and determination and no shortage of skill too as they clinched a dramatic victory at title-chasing Leamington on Monday.
The Brakes would have moved level on points at the top of the table had they prevailed, but Graham Hyde’s much-improved outfit had other ideas and came from behind to clinch a stoppage time win which was the perfect response to the frustrating defeat at Evesham United two days earlier.
The hosts almost broke the deadlock after four minutes when Craig Owen delivered a fine cross into the area from which Jacob Blyth’s header was superbly saved at point blank range by Dean Coleman and Sam Adkins fired the rebound against the bar before the ball was scrambled clear.
Adkins then set up Luke Corbett who fired wide but Brakes’ early impetus faded and Redditch, who regularly threatened via the long throw of Aaron Williams, enjoyed a period of territorial advantage during which Lee Osborne dragged a shot wide and Joe Halsall fired a 25-yard free kick just over the bar.
It was Leamington, however, who broke the deadlock after 38 minutes when Blyth was on hand to force the ball home from close range after the visitors had failed to deal with Owen’s corner kick.
The lead should have been doubled two minutes later when Owen’s free kick found the unmarked Corbett who flicked a first time effort over the bar from ten yards when he had plenty of time and space and just Coleman to beat.
The second half developed into a scrappy affair although Leamington’s Richard Batchelor went close in the 54th minute by thumping a 25-yard free kick inches over the bar.
Brakes continued to enjoy good chunks of possession but never really looked like scoring again and were rocked when Aaron Forde equalised after 73 minutes direct from an inswinging corner which flew over flat-footed keeper Lee Evans into the far corner of the net.
An enthralling finale to the match had only just begun to unfold though as Forde, who had been yellow-carded following a first half skirmish with Batchelor, turned from hero to villain five minutes later when he was sent off for a second bookable offence after bringing down former Redditch captain Lee Downes.
Brakes, who failed to make their numerical advantage pay, were forced to survive an 85th minute scare when Evans totally misjudged a cross from Williams and Jake Jones grazed the bar with the goal at his mercy.
However, Jones atoned for the glaring miss deep into stoppage time when he latched on to a pass from Halsall and finished neatly to send the travelling Redditch fans into raptures.
Thirteenth placed Reds will seek to build on this fine result when they play host to Hitchin Town at the Valley Stadium.
