‘Magnificent Seven’ As Reds Maintain 100% Record – Just !!

The Reds visited Evo-Stik Northern League, Premier Division new boys, Rushall Olympic last night in their seventh pre-season friendly hoping to maintain their 100% record and although they rode their luck at times, especially in the second half, it was mission accomplished as they ran out fortunate 1 vs 2 winners.

The home side started brightly and on 6 mins a ball across the box beat the Red’s defence but fortunately no-one attacked the ball and a simple chance was wasted. On 9 mins the Reds ‘star man’ Cameron Jones turned his marker on the edge of the box and fired in a low drive but ‘Pics’ keeper Gemmell, who was to have an inspired evening, got down well to save.

A penetrating midfield run from Lei Brown on 14 mins split the home defence and his cross into the box was again met by Jones at the far post but he had to stretch for the header and failed to connect properly with the keeper gathering the looping ball comfortably.

Joe Harris Challenges For The Ball

A Jones corner from the right on 16 mins was whipped into the box and a pinpoint header by Alex Hickman from the edge of the box looked destined for the top corner but it rebounded off the underside of the bar and was cleared.

Joe Harris was next to try his luck for the Reds on 18 mins when he was clean through on goal with just the keeper to beat, he got his shot away but the keeper dived on it and the loose ball squirmed under his body and off the post with a home defender heading the rebound for a corner.

Following this early flurry of pressure from the visitors and missed chances the game entered a pretty dour spell for  the next 15 mins with neither side able to put their foot on the ball and retain possession for any period of time with the ball most of the time out of play or in the air !!

The game came to life again on 30 mins when the home side created a neat attack, a ball into the box found the unmarked Morris with his back to goal, he turned neatly but pulled his shot wide of Dean Coleman’s far post. From the resultant goal kick, Cameron Jones again worked his magic down the wing before cutting inside and hitting a rasping drive toward the far corner but yet again the home keeper was equal to it and turned the ball away to safety.

Lei Brown Puts The Reds Ahead From The Penalty Spot

The deadlock was finally broken on 34 mins when LEI BROWN was awarded a ‘dubious’ penalty as the referee deemed he was tripped in the box, he picked himself up and despatched the penalty neatly into the bottom corner sending the keeper the wrong way.

The last action of the half saw Nick Heath block a powerful shot from the home side to keep the Reds slender lead intact going into the break.

Tom Warmer replaced Simon Fitter for the 2^nd half but it was the home side that started by far the brighter and on 51 mins former Reds striker, Luke Edwards, broke through into the box with only Coleman to beat, as the Reds No.1 came out and dived to gather the ball, he clipped Edwards’s leg as he rounded him. The penalty was awarded and LEWIS made no mistake from 12 yards sending Coleman the wrong way to make it 1 vs 1.

A host of changes for both teams followed with the Reds bringing on Aaron Moses-Garvey, David Blenkinsopp and Tyrone Amory for Robbie Ager, Joe Harris and Cameron Jones respectively but the changes failed to prevent the home side from having by far their best period of the game as they dominated possession for some 20 mins or more creating a glut of chances and forcing the visitors to defend deeper and deeper with every clearance coming straight back at them. The Reds simply could not get hold of the ball and on 69 mins Hickman made a great block tackle to deny a certain goal and then on 70 mins Milligan fluffed his clearance and Lewis should have scored his 2nd of the game as Coleman was beaten all ends up but Milligan thankfully recovered to clear off the line.

On 72 mins the impressive Rushall full back, Adie Smith, should have done better as he was given far too much time and space in the box but he hooked his shot wide of the far post and on 79 mins the dangerous Lewis should undoubtedly have scored his 2^nd of the match after he broke free of his marker and from just 6 yards out he somehow managed to head the ball into the ground and over the bar.

The Reds maintained their 100% pre-season record in somewhat unfortunate circumstances on 82 mins when a poor back pass forced the reliable Gemmell to race off his line to clear as BLENKINSOPP chased the ball down, a collision was inevitable as both players were committed to winning the ball and both fell to the floor in a tangle of legs, Blenkinsopp got to his feet immediately and picked up the loose ball to slot into the empty net and make it 1 vs 2 to the Reds. The unfortunate Gemmell however never got back to his feet and after a delay of some 2 mins whilst he was treated by both Physios the decision was made to abandon the game as the hapless keeper looked to have suffered a suspected broken leg and an ambulance was called.

In this their sternest test of pre-season thus far, the Reds can count themselves very fortunate to come away with a narrow victory, especially based on the 2^nd half performance and if they are to continue their unbeaten run they will certainly have to raise their game in the forthcoming matches against Solihull Moors this coming Saturday and Tamworth next Tuesday.

Finally everyone connected with Redditch Utd Football Club send their best wishes to the Rushall keeper, Chris Gemmell and wish him a speedy recovery.

Reds Star Man: Cameron Jones

(Match report and pictures courtesy of Tim Delaney – RUFC)