Redditch Borough Juniors U vs Hampton Reds U14
2 - 0
02 November 2025 · U14 Division 4
Away league match played on 02 November 2025.
Kicked off at 10:00 AM
2-0
vs Redditch Borough Juniors U14 PD
Away league match
Today we travelled to continuing-rivals Redditch Borough, who we haven’t managed to beat in 4 attempts (D1 L3). With Zach & Josh on holiday and Fin out with a wrist injury, this is the 9th game in a row where we don’t have a full squad.
Early signs weren’t too great, as the mood was quiet and the pitch was uninspiring, it’s almost as if the lads knew the result before they had kicked a ball.
This continued into the game, where Redditch were looking the more likely from the start and soon went ahead when a lovely ball across field was followed by a smart finish, 1-0.
From here to be fair, the game was very scrappy, but Hampton just could not get into it. The score line really did flatter us, as Harrison had pulled off a string of saves but their keeper hadn’t been tested. Lots of walking, lots of heads down, not enough muddy knees and a real lack of fight in the first half (collectively). If I was to pull some positives out of the unusual first half, our goalkeeper and the defensive line were doing a good job of keeping the ball out of the net.
HT 1-0.
We did have words at half time, in all honesty I was trying my hardest to annoy the lads into going out and grabbing this match while the scoreline allowed them to, and although it seemed to resonate a little, we still went into the second half a shadow of the team we have seen over the last 5 games.
Redditch number 5 in the middle of the pitch was having it all his own way without really breaking sweat. Harrison’s kicks were mis-judged 7/8 times throughout the game but we never got in the position to punish them. They did have a very quick CB who thwarted any pacey attacks from us and that unfortunately made us very predictable today, on a pitch where playing football was proving difficult for us.
Redditch, obviously used to this, managed to carve out several chances but Harrison was more than a match for them.
Redditch did find a second goal which killed any slim hope that a few of the lads may have had.
Unfortunately we lost Harry quite soon into the second half due to a knee complaint, hopefully nothing too serious. We did manage a couple of chances, one with Ollie who couldn’t quite connect to put the ball away and then we were awarded a penalty with 2 mins left, when their number 5 shoved Rayyan off the ball needlessly.
Rushy stepped up to take the pen but it was saved by the keeper.
Unfortunately, some particularly unsporting behaviour from the keeper and some of the Redditch lads then followed (think Van Nistelrooy against Arsenal that time) but I’m very proud of Rushy and the lads attitude in that moment where it would have been very easy to respond and probably start swinging, but they all remained calm and walked it off.
With the last kick of the game, Redditch broke through but Harrison came out and cleared the ball, wiping out the player in the process. Something I’d have liked to have seen from the outfield after 5 mins of the game, it could have been very different had that happened.
FT 2-0.
So our record against Redditch is now D1 L4, but I’m hoping the scenes after the penalty stews nicely in the bellies of the boys and the next time we meet, I won’t have to say a word to get them up for the game!!
Kielan, JP, Ollie & Bailee did a good job today in keeping the score line respectable and it showed that even on an off-day we ca still be difficult to beat.
MOTM today went to the man between the sticks, with handling being superb as well as his kicking causing real problems, pulling off a string of fine saves and can consider himself unlucky to concede a couple of goals after a very good performance, gaining plaudits from the opposition coaches and captain as well as me, well done HARRISON!!
Next week we travel to Sutton for an afternoon kick-off, hoping to bounce back from today’s disappointing showing.
UTR
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