Redditch 4s 1-6 Edg’ Mens 7s
A very enjoyable game and win to end the season.
Sunshine, cool wind, calm umpires, subs for both sides and great young talent on the pitch. As requested we started fast. At one stage we had a series of 3 or 4 consecutive shorts and from the last of these, Laith scored, reverse-stick, at the far post.

Redditch fought their way back into it a little and won a short - the two first strikes were blocked well but the third powerful strike found a good touch from a youngster at the far post to score.

Not to be deterred, we went straight to the other end and won a short, which Ben blasted in to regain the lead.

Chances continued to be created and MaxR was unlucky to hit the post after a bit of a melee in their D.

The half came to a strange end as the hanging nets blew half-way across the pitch - not sure if that was an omen of something. So, only 2-1 and the game still in the balance… the team was asked to really put everything into it for the last 35 minutes of the season.

Our youngsters, now comfortable in the game, took this to heart and ripped Redditch to pieces. With Ben and Neil, our great ‘returnees’, prompting and passing and support from Marcus and Harry, Laith and Hashim really turned it on down the wings. Mazy runs from both, from wide and into the D, really putting Redditch under pressure.

Hashim scored twice from mistakes giving him 1on1s with the keeper and then a cross shot that was just inside the far post (Laith there anyway just in case needed).

Neil was unlucky to have a goal ruled out, tucking it home at the post following a short (injection judged not to have left the D). Another short led to two clearances of the line.

Redditch did manage a few breaks in the 2nd half but happily the defence and JD in goal dealt with these pretty comfortably.

The game ended with another mazy run by Hashim into the D, getting a shot off and DC deflecting it, in the air, past the keeper.

So an enjoyable game where the team really took it to the oppo in the 2nd half and won comfortably.

Great performances from all the youngsters from Max at right back, Marcus and Harry in midfield and Laith and Hashim upfront. I was particularly impressed at a 16, to see Marcus take a look around, ghost into some space and instantly control an aerial from Ray, to put us onto the attack.

MoM: Hashim, great skills, 3 goals and an assist.