League

Rochford Park
Spectators: 8468 (Terracing: 6352, Seating: 1947, VIP seats: 169) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Ciarán Merchant took the kick off in the first half of the match. Sammy Barnes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Bob Theobald, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 11 minutes into the match, Rochford City's goal looked a bit too open when Bob Theobald came free, but Sammy Barnes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Steven Blueman in the 21st minute of play forced Rochford City's goalkeeper Sammy Barnes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Harry Medley fell near the penalty area in the 27th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Redditch's protests and gave Harry Medley a yellow card for diving instead. In the 27th match minute, Redditch was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Harry Medley to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Bob Theobald in the 29th minute of play forced Rochford City's goalkeeper Sammy Barnes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Rochford City's Sammy Barnes played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Bob Theobald in the 31st minute of play. If Jason Davis had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 32nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Bob Theobald sent away a hard shot on goal in the 34th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The audience was convinced that Bob Theobald's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Sammy Barnes was relentless in the 37th minute of the game. Sammy Barnes took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Bob Theobald, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Sammy Barnes made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bob Theobald in the 46th minute of play. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Bob Theobald to strike the kick off in the second half. With his leg Sammy Barnes managed to avoid a goal in the 52ndth minute, when Redditch's Steven Blueman fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. A collision led to Rochford City getting a freekick after 52 minutes play. George Kay hit a great ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Steven Blueman got free with Sammy Barnes in the 60th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After 64 minutes of play, Redditch's Steven Blueman made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Sammy Barnes was left in no man's land by his defense there! Sammy Barnes made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bob Theobald in the 73rd minute of play. 74 minutes into the match, Redditch's Bob Theobald sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Sammy Barnes narrowly saved just below the crossbar. With a little luck, Rochford City's Sammy Barnes got control of the ball when Steven Blueman tried to sneak it across the goal line. Steven Blueman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 80th minute. Sammy Barnes tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Rochford City's Sammy Barnes played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Bob Theobald in the 81st minute of play. After 84 played minutes Rochford City got a freekick which was hit by Jason Davis. Steven Blueman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 85th minute. Sammy Barnes tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 89 minutes into the match, Bob Theobald dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Sammy Barnes, 0-2. After a rather tough play, Redditch's Roy Reid got a free kick in the 92nd minute. Calum Atkins sent away a hard shot on goal in the 95th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The Rochford City fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Redditch were clearly better and deserved to take the win.