Redolence take Cup Winner's Cup

Report

The last of a season defining 4 games for the lads was against Redditch Town. It was such a big tie that it was scheduled to take place at greenlands pitch 1…supposedly an upgrade but in reality its actually the Redditch Dustbowl- a pitch drier than the driest Jonesy quip, sandier than an Andy Taylor comeback, and about as good to play football on a school playground. Scott was unavailable for the first half, so named the team with 2 caveats- 1) the league isn’t important and 2) the side will change around to rest the squad, having played 4 times in 2 weels. The lads lined up Jon in goal; Randle, Crouch, Ash, Max in defence; Jonesy, Ant, Luka, Afro in Midfield and Ash with Spros up front. Woody and Tim were resting their weary legs on the bench with Andy, Si and Jord. Despite the general apathy to the league it is worth noting that a win in this fixture could put Redolence in the title picture with 2 games to play, so this was far from your usual end of season dead rubber.

First half

The first half hour was…unusual. The ball bounced like gravity was optional, the sun was low and bright and it all contributed to a veritable feast of Sunday league gaffes. Both sides looked to hinder themselves with wild miss-kicks, with Max attempting a bizarre bicycle kick and Luka trying to head a ball that was at ankle height. Grip, control and composure were all in short supply. Jord was filling in for Scott, patrolling the sidelines topless like an angry cruiserweight walking into a press conference- his directions to the team more insightful than any heard all season. Tim was also pitch side, preening and discussing his brilliance, whilst concocting a plan to capitalise on Scott’s absence.

Redolence took the lead from the same means that they thwarted Town with before- a long throw. Ant, a suitable long thrower in JP’s place, launched one into the box that no one touched before it landed to Luka….his dick wasn’t on hand to prod in but fortunately his feet were (GOAL Redolence 1-0. Bryan. Assist Bromhead). Redolence settled into their now patented style of getting it to Spros and working hard around him, and looked much more lively of the 2 sides. It soon became 2- another long throw from Ant into the box. Town, trialling a new tactic of not marking an opposition striker, left Spros to control the ball on the edge of the 6 yard box to rifle home without contest. (GOAL Redolence 2-0. Sproston. Assist Bromhead). Not content with being comfortably ahead, Redolence opted to allow Town back in- a routine ball in went uncleared and Town were on hand to pull one back (GOAL Town 1-2). Town were to equalise soon after- the shortest man on the pitch Chris Adams nodding in after a cleared corner was recycled back in. (GOAL Town 2-2). A slack couple of goals. Tim sensed his opportunity had landed, and made several substitutions to play his wet dream line up – a 4-3-3! Tim, Soager and Spros up front. As Tim said ‘we need an attacking option’.

Now….there is a lot to say about 4-3-3. Before this report goes any further let’s say this about Tim’s 4-3-3…..IT WAS NOT A 4-3-3! The reality was it was a narrow 4-3-1-2 formation with Spros behind Andy and Tim. This writer loves a 4-3-3….how to properly implement it would require a further write up!

There was 1 positive from this formation- getting 3 in midfield at last meant Redolence could go man for man with an opposition centre mid. The negative though was that there was no natural width, so the Redolence midfield 3 actually had 5 men to cover! Randle was incensed- ‘Wheres my winger??!!’ he would cry, to no avail. Scott was no doubt raging from his bed at such a formation, which took time to settle. Woody fell over, confused by the whole affair, and the half passed without further incident.

HT: 2-2

With the new formation having some teething issues, Tim had 15 minutes before Scott’s arrival to make it work. There was some success in the early running- the CM’s getting out to the full backs quicker and Si was given licence at left back to push on- immediately creating a goal- his low cross was poked home by Luka, who got a late touch to steer through the keepers legs (GOAL Redolence 3-2. Bryan. Assist Birkin). The lead didn’t last long, a wide set piece by Town was cleared, Redolence didn’t push out quick enough and the return ball fell to Town to poke home (GOAL Town 3-3). Redolence though struck straight back- Woody hassling Town’s CDM gave Spros the opportunity to steal the ball and finish low past the keeper with a FIFA Finesse shot. (GOAL Redolence 4-3. Sproston). The 4-3-3(!) was flowing now, a long throw in again getting through Town to Woody, whose header looped off the bar and fell to Tim who forced a save from the keeper. Long throws were the danger, and Luka and Woody could see that- playing an intentional short corner in order to win another throw in- this one again flying through the Town defence to Spros who flicked on for Tim to poke home at the back post. Another goal for the tactical genius, star striker and all round ladies’ man. (GOAL Redolence 5-3. Lees. Assist Sproston).

With Scott arriving Redolence shifted immediately back to 4-4-2. The midfield went back to being outnumbered, and Jord went into CB to get him angry. The change had an immediate impact, Town picking up a goal back (GOAL Town 5-4.) Redolence continued to be sharp up top, with Andy on and providing a physical presence which lead to the lads extending the lead- a Crouchy long ball directed at Andy, who did brilliantly to miss it and put Ash Atkinson through to tidily finish for his first goal for the club- Aki Boy Reppin with an important goal to settle the side. (GOAL Redolence 6-4. Atkinson. Assist Seager (Not Soager)). At 6-4 the game flattened out, the heat and tired legs being a large factor. The game did get more violent- Birkin giving his opponent a nosebleed, JP taking his anger out on his man with a kick and getting a booking. Chris Adams had gone unscathed the whole game, so Woody decided to change that by taking him out whilst contesting a header, and further scrappiness contributed to Redolence final goal- Town scrambling a panicky ball back to the keeper whose kick was charged down by Si….the rebound flying heading straight into the goal! (GOAL Redolence 7-4. Birkin). There was one more chance to fall for the boys- JP getting to a Jonesy corner, but he opted not to score and add to Town’s woes, instead ducking out the way for it to be cleared from danger.

FT 7-4

Verdict

Another win for the lads. 4 on the bounce in the league, and with Lions dropping points vs Cross the lads are legitimate title contenders now- 2 wins from the final 2 fixtures will see them win the league. It was far from perfect…Redolence conceded 4 for the 3rd time in 7 days, a poor return defensively, but continue to look sharper on the ball with goals continuing across the team. The lads look like outscoring anyone, which is fantastic to see. As the season draws to an end the lads are becoming the team they’ve threatened to be for a long time, and will be looking now to continue this unbeaten run until the end of the campaign.

Man of the match was Neil Seager.

FT Redditch Town 4 - 7 SCC Redolence
87 Redditch Town 4 - 7 SCC Redolence (Birkin, assist Sproston)
72 Redditch Town 4 - 6 SCC Redolence (Atkinson, assist N.Seager)
68 Redditch Town 4 - 5 SCC Redolence
61 Redditch Town 3 - 5 SCC Redolence (Lees, assist Sproston)
53 Redditch Town 3 - 4 SCC Redolence (Sproston, assist Wood)
47 Redditch Town 3 - 3 SCC Redolence
46 Redditch Town 2 - 3 SCC Redolence (Bryan, assist Birkin)
HT Redditch Town 2 - 2 SCC Redolence
28 Redditch Town 2 - 2 SCC Redolence
12 Redditch Town 1 - 2 SCC Redolence
10 Redditch Town 0 - 2 SCC Redolence (Sproston, assist Bromhead)
05 Redditch Town 0 - 1 SCC Redolence (Bryan, assist Bromhead)
KO Redditch Town 0 - 0 SCC Redolence