Wednesday 6 April 2016

REDDITCH UNITED 0 - 0 LEAMINGTON


It now feels like Spring today. It has been raining this morning but when I make my way to Foregate Street rail station in Worcester , the sun is starting to shine through. My destination is Redditch in north Worcestershire, where league leaders Redditch United are playing in a table topping local derby at home to fourth placed Leamington from Warwickshire.

I had visited the Valley Stadium near the end of last season when Redditch just missed out on the play-off places but this time round have been more successful and they have been unbeaten at home after losing their first match of this campaign.

I arrive at the ground 20 minutes before kick-off and it looks like there is going to be a big crowd watching today, as there is a fairly long queue at the turnstiles.

When the teams march out, Redditch are in their usual red shirts, black shorts and socks while the visitors are in their away strip of all blue.



There are plenty of photographers here and I can count 4 round the pitch.

The Leamington forward, Jack Edwards has the first chance after 10 minutes but shot over after being played in by Danny Dubidat.

The Brakes keeper, Tony Breeden made good saves from Simeon Maye and the dangerous Redditch playmaker, Ashley Sammons.




Leamington do show they still carry a threat when their tricky winger, Sam Austin has a free kick saved by Jose Veiga.

The first half has seen the home side mainly on top but with neither side looking like they can score the first goal so far.



I reckon there are about 200 to 250 Leamington fans here today, with a section of them on the far side of the pitch shown above.

Play in the second half is spoilt somewhat by the referee who does not let the game flow and gives out a lot of yellow cards, which is puzzling as it's not a dirty game. This annoys the spectators and bemuses the players.

The last 15 minutes are the most eventful of the match. George Carline sees his acrobatic scissors kick go just wide for Redditch. Then Leamington's Callum Gittings is sent off after receiving a second yellow for dissent.


   
Leamington are still striving to get a possible 3 points and they go very close when substitute, Ben Mackey, sees his header come back off an upright while Redditch's No.9, Sam Merson, sees his effort just go over the bar right near the end.

Leamington have a tough away trip to Weymouth coming up this Tuesday. Both teams drop down a place after wins by Poole Town and Hungerford Town who move up to 1st and 4th positions respectively and there are only 5 points separating the top 5 teams.


  
Match attendance: 742
Match entertainment: 6.5/10
Match entrance fee: £10
Match programme: £2



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