Under 13 Team Page......

We knew we were in for a rough day of it, having played the extremely physical Newtown away last week, we were missing a centre midfielder who has a big impact on the team and our keeper was rather bruised; following our warm up the whole squad looked half asleep.

After a stern team talk to wake everyone up we started the game a little slow and shaky to say the least but reds soon got to grips with this weeks position changes and put their minds to the game. We were soon pushing Newtown back into their own half and piling on the pressure but we just couldn't get the final ball right, and Newtown were soon having runs at our defence which of course with Syd; Melyssa and Seren holding a strong back line and Abbie tight marking Newtowns playmaker we were in control. Until Newtown took a shot not far from the half way line which some how managed to breakthrough our defence and Molly (gk) had probably the worst moment a keeper could ever have a wet ball slipping away from her gloves and trickling into the back of our net; the most lucky of goals imaginable it was a gift for Newtown. 1 nil Newtown.

Reds knew they didn't deserve that goal and pushed Newtown back into their half all the more but with reds not in control of the final ball Newtown were coming back at us every time.  Following a bit of a battle at the half way line Newtowns no 10 broke free with the ball and had left all Redditch players standing sprinting towards our keeper but Abbie somehow found the pace to catch her up and made a major tackle and picked up a injury in the process.

Having made a sub to get Abs treatment we brought May back to midfield to match Newtowns playmaker and Iona on upfront. Abs was soon back on her feet and ready to get back to the game and May came off to make way. Reds kept pressing with some excellent battling from Jay and Iona but we just couldn't get enough power behind the ball to make it count, and Newtown were coming back at us, but before long reds were dominating the game.

Having made a switch of positions Jess was now at left back and following a strong tackle on Newtowns no 10 went down in heap and came off injured, with May now on her third position of the game and Reds in be brave mode just kept pressing but still the final ball just wouldn't go right for us. Jess was up on her feet before long and re-entered the game with Seren making way for May to move to her 4th position of the day.
halftime 1-0
2nd Half Reds came out strong and continued to dominate with Newtown only getting the ball from the keepers saves or going out of play, we just couldn't get a shot together to find that all important goal. we kept going and going and made those all important tackles all over the pitch but soon we got caught out pushing on chasing the game and Newtowns no 10 broke free from our defence and molly was again picking the ball out of the net.

Redditch a great effort and excellent team spirit from the whole squad throughout the game, we did totally dominate that game and were by far the better team but we must take our chances pass, move and shoot instead of walking the ball into the box we know that's what stopped us scoring before lets put it right now and go get them goals from now on.

Thanks to all for a great effort and being so brave and to all the parents who came and gave support.