A soggy Saturday morning in Redditch saw our U14s produce one of their best performances since we stepped up to the MJPL. Traffic meant we arrived with barely any time for a proper warm-up, but the boys (with a big helping hand from Ian) sorted themselves out on the side of the excellent 3G pitch and were ready to go from the first whistle.
We didn’t know too much about Redditch beforehand, but it was immediately obvious they’re a strong, technical side who like to play out from the back. What stood out straight away was how patient and disciplined we were. We shifted as a unit, cut passing lanes and, when the trigger came, pressed like terriers. Nine times out of ten we won the ball in really promising areas.
Around the ten-minute mark everything we’ve been drilling in training finally clicked. For a completely new group (players from half a dozen different clubs who only came together in the summer) the football we played at times was outstanding: quick, sharp, and full of confidence. The early-season results haven’t always shown it, but the progress has been coming. Today it all came good.
10’ – 1-0. Tommie swings in a dangerous corner and Josh ghosts in unmarked to side-foot us ahead. Perfect start.
Kick-off again and the intensity never dropped. Our defensive shape was rock-solid all morning, giving Redditch virtually nothing. When they did manage to get a sight of goal, Rudi was there – calm, commanding and quick off his line – to snuff it out and start another attack.
One of those transitions was pure quality: ball into the back four, switched wide to Freddie who floated another peach of a chip over the defence (just like last week) and Maurice met it on the half-volley to lash it home. 2-0 and the bench erupted.
Half-time: 2-0. Redditch came out with more fight after the break and had slightly more of the ball, but we still looked comfortable. A couple of substitutions briefly disrupted our shape and for five minutes we were a bit scrappy, but the back four stood tall and made sure nothing serious got through.
58’ – 3-0 Another corner, this time Maurice over it. He fired it hard and over, it pinballed around the six-yard box with Ollie taking a chance, looped up off a Redditch defender and Alex leapt like prime Ronaldo to power a header into the top corner. Game, set and (almost) match.
With five minutes left and three goals to the good, we did what we always do at Rushall Village – we prioritised development. Defenders went up front, strikers dropped into defence, midfielders swapped wings. It was brilliant to watch them problem-solve in new positions, and exactly what we’re about. Of course, in the very last moments Redditch grabbed a consolation, sliding one across a crowded box and in off the far post, but the result was never in doubt.
Final score: Rushall Village 3 – 1 Redditch United
We could easily have shut up shop and kept a clean sheet, but that’s not us. We play to win, yes, but more importantly we play to develop brave, intelligent footballers who aren’t afraid to try new things. Doing it all for free, with a group of lads and families who absolutely love being part of this team, makes victories like today even sweeter.
Huge credit to every single player – the performance, the attitude, the togetherness – was superb. We might not trouble the top five this season, but we’re playing football the Rushall Village way and we’re incredibly proud of it.
Onwards and upwards!
