16th October Match Reports

Greater Manchester Team Match Report

REDDISH TAUGHT A LESSON 

After two games the previous day Reddish picked themselves up to face Salford in an unusual surrounding of burnt out high rise flats and on a pitch where autumn had definitely come early!! Not only were Reddish deflated from a crushing defeat from an experienced Bury and Elton side, they started the game a goal down due to the fact that Salford were in a lower division. However, Reddish started the game positively looking to exploit the centre of the pitch to create the space on the wings to cross into the Salford circle. Salford were forced to concede a number of penalty corners and strong push outs from Natalie Sutherland help to put pressure on the Salford defensive line but they held strong and they cleverly passed their way out of trouble.
Despite being in a lower division, Salford used their quick and accurate passing ability to work their way into the Reddish circle and a quick Salford one-two enable them to put the ball past a helpless Reddish goal keeper and take the lead. The reddish defence held firm and strong hits out of defence helped force keep the score at one-nil going into half time.

An in-depth team talk at half time meant Reddish came out for the second half in a positive frame of mind and being only one goal behind, they looked to take the initiative and attack the lower division side. But the only attacks at the start of the second half were on the players as fireworks in the local community disrupted their concentration. This didn’t disturb Salford though as they continued to attack with sleek sets of play to attack the Reddish circle. Despite the best efforts of the Reddish defence, Salford scored two goals in quick succession and went 3-nil ahead.

When Reddish did get the ball out of the defence they attacked the midfield as this was where Salford weakest link appeared to be. Strong hits from the defence up the middle of the park enabled the wing players to use their skills and attack the circle but frustration at the sea of green shirts in front of them sent the ball back down to the Reddish circle and a strong hit deflected by Adele into the goal increased the Salford lead to four.
Sensing a win on the cards, Salford let their guard down and Reddish with their ‘Never say Die’ attitude attacked the right wing and a cross from Biggzy was converted by Jenny Plant as she put the ball in the back of the net and sent the Reddish fans wild with delight. Jenny was on excellent form this weekend and she added to her hat trick she scored on Saturday for Stockport as they beat Edgeley 7-0. Reddish sensed complacency from Salford and a lightning attack enabled Reddish to score another goal, this time from Biggzy. Two goals in 50 seconds from Reddish, made the score a respectable 5-2 to Salford and Salford were made to work right to the end.

Rachel Dunley