Redolence win two on the bounce

Report

Following the clubs' finest league result of the season last week, Redolence took on Shakespeare knowing that the previous weeks' heroics would be for nothing without a good follow up. Old forge pitch 2 was to be the venue, but late rainfall lead to the game moving to the new old forge pitch 3…a smaller pitch but one in good condition as it isn’t regularly used. As is now a theme, Redolence started largely unchanged- only changes being Jonesy returned to the fold on the left mid, with Woody on the right and Bowen in the middle. Shakespeare haven’t picked up a point all season, but with a squad that’s a mix of last season’s Royal Oak, and some ex Woodland Cottage players, they certainly weren’t to be taken lightly.

In rainy conditions the game started off very scrappy- the ball zipping around and as such neither side were really in control. Shakespeare were seeing the better of it though, pushing a slow starting Redolence back without really threatening the goal. Redolence were quiet and certainly slow off the mark, but looked lively during brief attacks- there were plenty of gaps in the Shakespeare defence but they weren’t being found…with Woody and Tim both linking up several times to be denied by some last gasp pieces of defending.

Unlike previous weeks, Redolence lasted the first 20 without conceding and looked organised if not always comfortable. As the half wore on, it continued to be scrappy and it was Shakespeare who took the initiative. A goal kick evaded Redolence heads down Shakespeare’s right, and Shakespeare found their striker who finished well. A soft goal to concede as Redolence had at least 2 opportunities to clear. However, Redolence kept their heads and didn’t panic- they hadn’t started well but could fix it. Ant and Phil were putting a shift in the middle without much luck going forward, but that started to change and Woody/ Jonesy started to get more joy out wide- a couple of near miss chances signalling Redolence’s intent.

Shakespeare had their tails up, but were leaving gaps at the back- and that is what allowed Redolence back in. Smart interplay between Ant/ Jonesy got Jonesy in out wide, his cross wasn’t cleared and the ball was worked to Jonesy out wide who was tripped on the edge of the area- less than a yard from being a penalty. Jonesy got up and played in an average cross, but the ref called it back as he’d jumped the whistle…..at the second attempt Jonesy went deeper with his cross and it sailed over the keepers' head into the back of the net! Jonesy claims it was intentional, Redolence have conceded several bizarre free kicks this season, so either way it was a welcome way back into a game that was in danger of passing Redolence by. The goal got Redolence kick started, and they finished the half chasing a second- Crouchy going close with a speculative free kick and a couple of corners in causing Shakespeare to frantically clear their lines

HT: 1-1

Redolence had got themselves off the hook by half time. The next goal was crucial to this game, and Redolence knew they needed to communicate more and make more out of their possession. They started the second half a much better side- the midfield causing early chaos for Shakespeare and creating several half chances- there was a lot of attacking space and Matty P, on for Bowen, was causing issues and giving the wide men some good service.

Redolence had several corners and it was from a corner that they’d take the lead. Another superb delivery from Jonesy was whipped into the near post and Jord outjumped Woody to head Redolence in front. A superbly worked set piece. At 2-1 Redolence were flying, and looked strong and organised. Phil and Ant were providing good cover for Crouch and Jord – who looked assured at the back.

Shakespeare were visibly knocked by the second, their confidence fading and leaving Redolence with lots of space in the midfield- this lead to Redolence having a flurry of opportunities for Phil, Ant and Matty who all went close. Matty was to pick up and injury to his nose during an accidental fall with his marker- and his day was cut short with a bloody nose. Bowen went back on to replace him, and Stu was brought onto wide left. Shakespeare were busy but without cutting edge- Jon looking tidy to deal with several fairly tame efforts from range.

Redolence were in control, and made it 3- another excellent Jonesy corner finding Tim at the far post, who rose like the proverbial salmon to nod the ball in under the bar. At 3-1 the game was still not safe- Shakespeare went gung ho and threw men forward, forging some good chances that were met with poor finishing. Redolence weren’t home yet, but Shakespeare’s approach was giving them opportunities as well- good work by Tim saw a cross deflected in between Stu and Bowen. With an open goal to hit both men bizarrely fell over….leaving the chance to go begging. Shortly after, Stu got away down the left, but blazed over, much to his frustration.

Shakespeare were working the Redolence full backs hard, winning a lot of throw ins, and they got a lifeline off one- a long throw evaded Max, Crouch and Woody, and found its way into the edge of Redolence’s unprotected box to give Shakespeare’s striker a chance he took well- 3-2 with 10 minutes to go! As with last week, what followed was 5 minutes of backs to the wall defending, as Shakespeare pushed on strong sensing a chance to salvage a point- Redolence were forced to scramble the ball away several times, it was scrappy stuff but just enough to see away the danger, Jord, Crouch, Woody and Max each just doing enough at key moments. Redolence needed to relieve pressure, and managed to do so by sealing the win. Phil dispossessed his man in the centre and Redolence broke- Stu was put away again down the left, this time though he did brilliantly to toe poke the ball over the keeper into the top corner of the net. What followed was an outpouring of emotion from Stu, and a huge sigh of relief from the rest of the team. The game was won, and petered out in the last 5, another big win for the Redolence boys

FT- 2-4

Verdict

Another big result, and a hugely satisfying win against tough opponents. As was the case last week, the attitude shown by the lads was excellent- heads never dropped and the entire squad played their part in the win. For the second week in a row you could see the difference between the 2 sides- Shakespeare never got over conceding their goals, and continued to get at each other in game. Redolence look like a cohesive unit currently, and that is what is getting the results. The side now look settled and organised- the team has found a system where the spine of the team works and everyone knows what they’re doing in their roles, and it is really starting to show. Defensively we look assured, the midfield continues to put in big shifts, and goals are now being scored throughout the side. There’s absolutely no reason why this side can’t continue to pick up positive results.