Saturday 12th November 2011 – Chippenham Town 2 vs 0 REDS

The REDS headed down the M5 looking to build on the two good results and performances against Halesowen and AFC Totton.  There was a debut for 18 year old Jake Jones who joined on loan from Walsall, replacing the injured Lee Osborne on the left side of midfield.

It was the visitors who looked in control during the open exchanges with Connor Deards and Jake Jones heavily involved early on.  A Connor Deards free kick from 25 yards out worked Puddy in the Chippenham goal forcing a fingertip save onto the crossbar, resulting in a corner to the REDS.

As a result of the constant pressure the home side were forced to defend a number of set plays, but with Casey and Kite strong in the air for Chippenham, the REDs failed to make the breakthrough.

Following an excellent run by the Jones, the ball fell to Travis on the edge of the box, feigning to shoot with his left foot he dragged the ball onto his right foot only to hit is shot straight at Puddy who managed to hold onto the ball.  With the REDs dominant, there were few glimpses from the home side, the biggest threat coming from their left hand side in the shape of James Guthrie.

The best chance of the half fell to Connor Deards after a good approach play between Oulton and Deabill on the halfway line, it was Deards racing clean through in a one on one situation with the Goalkeeper, but to the visitors dismay Deards overrun the ball which allowed Puddy to come out of his goal to smother the ball.

The home side fired straight back, with Wilson breaking from midfield, he hit his shot from 25 yards out only to see his shot come off the inside of Dean Coleman’s post, and was then cleared up field by Robinson.

2^nd Half

It was the home side that dominated the second half, with the REDs looking short on ideas and never really getting to grips with the game.

The game became more spread out with Griffin and Powell proving a real handful from Hickman and Grimes, and with Aaron Wilson joining them quickly from midfield, the REDs were now under pressure.

It was on 63 minutes that the breakthrough came from Chippenham’s James Guthrie twisting and turning, Aaron Stringfellow inside out before producing an excellent cross for Griffin to head home at the far post.

There was no response from the REDs, who relied too much on the long ball up to James Deabill, who was well marshalled by Kite and Casey.

The excellent Guthrie was becoming a real threat and following another jinking run at Stringfellow, it was Stringfellow who was forced to concede a free kick with a reckless foul.  The game was settled on 74 minutes when Kite rose highest to head home the resulting free kick from 6 yards out, to put the game out of the reach of the visitors.

Report by the

Missed chances once again proved Redditch’s Achilles heel as they went down to a brace of second half goals in Wiltshire.

Connor Deards, Jamie Deabill and James Travis were denied in the opening half with Chippenham keeper Will Puddy putting in a man of the match display.

The Reds created their first chance on seven minutes when Deards created space only to fire his shot against the home crossbar.

Midway through the half and it was striker Deabill who went close, Puddy producing an outstanding save to deny him.

The visitors continued to create chances with Travis twice forcing the Chippenham keeper into saves before Puddy denied the excellent Deards, diving bravely at his feet.

After dominating for much of the opening period, Graham Hyde’s side were almost caught out on the stroke of half-time when a break upfield resulted in Aaron Wilson firing against the Redditch upright.

And it was the home side who took a grip on the second half, opening the scoring on 62 minutes through an Alan Griffin header following a jinking run from James Guthrie.

Seven minutes later and the home side had doubled their lead. Wilson did well to deliver the ball into the Redditch area and Alex Kite steered it beyond Dean Coleman in the visitors’ goal.