The Valley Stadium
Picture by Jack Underwood

Redditch United suffered a dent to their title hopes after a 2-0 defeat at home to Mickleover.

With head coach Matt Clarke announcing that he will be taking a short break, the backroom staff made three changes to the line-up from their 1-0 victory over Berkhamsted.

Brad Burton replaced Isaiah Bazeley, while Reece Flanagan and Aram Soleman came in for Morgan Owen and Callum Rowe.

The first effort of the game fell to the visitors as Ryan Wilson picked up the ball on the edge of the box and struck just over.

At the other end Johnny Johnston went down inside the area, but his penalty claims were dismissed.

Redditch were constantly looking to break with a long ball to Johnston as his blistering pace was making it difficult for the Mickleover defence.

Visiting forward Ben Sault worked his way around the left-hand side and played a nice ball into William Trueman on the edge of the box, but his low effort was wide.

Redditch had a lucky escape in the 24th minute after a ball wasn’t fully cleared and bounced straight back into the box. Keeper Adam Harrison missed the punch but Sault’s effort was superbly cleared off the line by Fulloway’s head.

The home side were unlucky not to score as consecutive efforts from Soleman, Johnston and Jack Concannon were blocked

The away side then had two big chances after a well worked move into the box saw a shot which was saved before Wilson’s cross nearly met Oliver Greaves’ head.

Redditch almost had the perfect start to the second half as Concannon saw a close-range effort held. Then Jordan Cranston curled in a great ball but was just too high for Cameron

Both teams battled it out in midfield for the majority of the second period but neither side threatened the final thirds.

Mickleover took the lead in the 80th minute when substitute Marcus Barnes drove forward down the right-hand side of his own half, cut inside and scored.

Stuart Beavon came close to doubling the away side’s lead after his header from a cross was just wide.

Redditch United piled on the pressure at the end, but in the final minute a Mickleover break saw Barnes played in behind and he slotted past Harrison.

Redditch United: Harrison; Burton, Wollacott, Fulloway, Cranston; Mussa, Flanagan, Soleman, Concannon; Johnston, Cameron. Subs:Ceesay, Owen, King, Rowe, George
Mickleover: Ridd; Bennett, Wilson, Atkinson, Rowley; Mann, Dales, Trueman, Waite; Sault, Greaves. Subs: Beavon, Dolan, Bradley, Barnes, Fitzhugh.

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