Friday, May 18th, 2012
Report by the
Rock solid Reds earn a point
An outstanding defensive display earned Redditch a share of the spoils against league leaders Totton.
But it would have been all three points for Graham Hyde’s side had a first half goal from striker Jimmy Deabill not been mysteriously chalked off by the referee.
The giant targetman, a constant threat to the Totton defence, found the net on 20 minutes, directing his header beyond visiting keeper Grant Porter from 12 yards. But with the celebrations in full flow, referee Tom Harty decided to award the Hampshire outfit a free-kick having presumably spotted a nudge on defender Jamie Whisken.
Defences were on top for much of the half, Jamie Grimes and Aaron Stringfellow particularly outstanding for the Reds with Whisken stepping up to the mark for the visitors.
Neither keeper was troubled until the final stages of the half when United’s Dean Coleman had to gather a well-struck Ryan Hill free-kick from 25 yards.
Deabill worked hard in his role as Redditch’s solitary striker but support was too often lacking apart from some excellent runs down the right from Connor Deards.
An injury to Lee Osborne midway through the first half did not help the Reds cause but his replacement Aaron Moses-Garvey went close with a shot at the start of the second period which found the side-netting.
Stefan Brown brought another save from Coleman on 73 minutes with Deabill finally forcing Porter into action a minute later.
And with 15 minutes to go, a scintillating run down the right from Deards saw him fire past the Totton keeper only for Hill to clear on the line.
The final five minutes saw the visitors, who face Bradford Park Avenue in the FA Cup next weekend, throw men forward in a bid to snatch a winner.
Brown looked to have ghosted in on goal only to be denied by a splendid Stringfellow challenge and when the Reds defence was finally beaten five minutes from time, the woodwork came to the rescue, Whisken’s header hitting the foot of the post.
Reds: Coleman 7, STRINGFELLOW 9, Robinson 7, Oulton 7, Hickman 7, Grimes 8, Deards 8, Halsall 7, Deabill 7, Travis 7, Osborne 6 (Moses-Garvey 33, 6). Subs (not used): Bedford, Carter, Hylton, Knott.
REDDITCH United boss Graham Hyde wants to put the behind the scenes uncertainty behind him and concentrate on the football.
Hyde and assistant Mark O’Callaghan are the two in charge after the departure of Mark Fenemore last week and they got a credible point in a 0-0 draw with Southern League Premier leaders AFC Totton.
Redditch could have won the game but Hyde said he was encouraged by the performance of his young team, although they lacked some cutting edge.
He said: “I was pleased with the performance and it could have been a win if Jimmy’s (Deabill’s) goal had not been disallowed but it was probably a fair result.
“What we need to do now is move forward on the field and get some results, not concede too many goals and look for some firepower up front.
“I am pleased with the shape of the team as it is, we are playing some good football and hopefully with the point on Saturday we will be on an upward curve.”
Redditch are away to Chippenham Town on Saturday and at home to Barwell in the league on Tuesday night at the Valley (7.45pm).
