Friday, May 18th, 2012
Redditch came from behind to take a point from their opening leaque game after a poor first half performance.
And it was really the introduction of substitute David Blenkinsopp that was the catalyst for the improvement.
Reds Penalty Hero - Lei Brown
He earned the penalty on 83 minutes that Lei Brown put away, when Blenkinsopp’s shot was saved by the hand of Jamie Clarke on the line.
The first half was poor, Redditch’s only effort on goal coming from Brown, but that was straight at the giant Oxford goalkeeper Jason Mooney.
Oxford took the lead on 23 minutes when the Reds failed to defend a long free kick and Steve Basham headed in.
Blenkinsopp came on for Joe Clarke at half time and immediately the Reds looked livelier as he set up Brown in front of goal but he crashed it over the bar.
Cameron Jones then crossed for Joe Harris to head over and again Jones was the provider on 71 for Brown who headed wide.
The penalty came on 83 minutes and after a goalmouth scramble, the referee initially gave a free kick to Oxford, but went on the advice of his linesman and gave a penalty.
Brown stepped up to score and they could have won it late on when he diverted a Blenkinsopp shot wide when it looked to be going in.
Reds Line Up: Coleman, Heath, Milligan, Miley, Hickman, Warmer, Adams, Jones, Harris, Green, Brown.
Subs: Blenkinsopp (for Adams), Moses-Garvey (for Jones), Osborne (for Harris) Not Used: Howell, T.Robinson.
Reds Star Man: Blenkinsopp
Attendance: 208
(Match report courtesy of The Redditch Advertiser)
