Redditch Borough V Fairfield Villa (Division Two)

Redditch Borough were looking to get a result yesterday afternoon against Fairfield Villa and sustain their excellent form in the league. The hosts were unbeaten going into this match and won all three of their home matches of the season. The club are capable of challenging near the top of the league this season alongside the likes of AFC Coventry Rangers and Knowle and consistency will be key in competing for the division title. 

Fairfield Villa were looking push on from an excellent win against AFC Coventry Rangers last weekend and were sitting comfortably in mid table going into this match. This was the club’s second away match of the season with their only away match prior to this weekend being a 1-0 loss at Lane Head. The visitors have had a solid campaign so far in a tough division and they have also beaten Coventry Alvis and Coventrians this season.

​The conditions prior to kick off in Redditch were clear and there was no rain throughout the afternoon. The clubhouse looked excellent and had a friendly atmosphere to it. The ground is nice and welcoming with a few benches near the pitch which offers a good view. Overall, the set up at the club is good and the chance to be close to the pitch is one of the key positives at this level. 

Starting Line Ups

The starting line up for Redditch Borough included Daniel Morris leading the team as the skipper and playing alongside Dan Wells in central defence. The formation appeared to be a 4-3-3 with Kedeiah Warren-Paul playing up front and being supported by Manny Olaloko and Danny Murphy on the wings. Dean Fisher played as the holding midfielder alongside Dan Carter and Jimmy Ward in a midfield three.

There were three changes from the team that started against Central Ajax last weekend with Shani Hall coming into the team and playing at right back.

Fairfield Villa’s starting line up featured Liam Taylor leading the team as the skipper from left back and Ben Maxwell starting in goal. The formation looked like a 4-2-2-2 with Alex Knight and Samson Omotoyo playing as a front two. The central defence involved Sean Tuckley and Liam Slade playing at the back for the visitors.

​There were three changes from the team that started against AFC Coventry Rangers last weekend with Finlay Gaynor coming into the team and playing in midfield.     

First Half

​The first half was mostly cagey with both teams settling into the match and working each other out. Both sides were looking to find space and create chances in front of goal, and it made for an interesting opening 45 minutes. Redditch started the better and shaded the opening half an hour with a few notable chances to take the lead.

Jimmy Ward had an early chance in the second minute where he got into a good position before shooting wide in front of goal. He had another chance in the 19th minute where he had a shot at goal that was well blocked by Karanveer Purewal. One of the key strengths of Redditch throughout the first half was how well Shani Hall and Danny Murphy linked up the play on the right to create good opportunities.

​Shani Hall played a good ball to Kedeiah Warren-Paul from the right who had a guilt edged chance in front of goal that went begging in the 28th minute. None the less, the hosts were constantly getting into the right positions and just needed that final finish in front of goal.

Fairfield Villa were growing into the match throughout the first half and had some half chances before half time. The best chance fell to Alex Knight who made a good run off the shoulder and cut inside before having a shot that was comfortably saved by Anthony Swain in the 44th minute. Kedeiah Warren-Paul had a shot on goal that was well saved by Ben Maxwell in the Fairfield goal in the 45th minute to make it 0-0 going into half time.       

Second Half

Redditch started to take control of the match throughout the early stages of the second half and managed to open up a commanding lead. Dean Fisher scored directly from a corner in the 48th minute which went past everyone and straight into the net to give Redditch the lead. Karanveer Purewal was caught in possession high up the pitch and Danny Murphy played an excellent ball to Kedeiah Warren-Paul who finished into an open net to give Redditch a 2-0 lead in the 55th minute.

The hosts did not look back from there and managed to see the match out comfortably throughout the second half. Fairfield showed a lot of effort and endeavour going forward but it was not quite clicking for the visitors in front of goal.

The best chances of the last half hour fell to Redditch and Jimmy Ward worked the ball well in the box before having a shot well saved by Ben Maxwell in the 64th minute. Jimmy Ward was fouled in the box late on to give Redditch a penalty which was well taken by Danny Murphy to make it 3-0 in the 90th minute to give the hosts the three points. It was a clinical and professional performance by Redditch to get the three points yesterday afternoon.      

Full Time

Redditch Borough played really well throughout this match and looked organised both on and off the ball. Shani Hall impressed at right back and offered a lot going forward. He put some threatening balls into the box to cause Fairfield Villa some problems throughout the match. Dan Wells had an underrated game from the back and was constantly clearing balls away from danger to break up Fairfield attacks. He read the game well and got into the right positions to win the ball back.

Dean Fisher played well as the holding midfielder and offers the team a bit of grit and composure on the ball to start attacks from the back. Danny Murphy and Kedeiah Warren-Paul looked good up front and were getting into promising positions in front of goal which was encouraging. Overall, there’s a lot to be positive about for Redditch supporters.

Despite the defeat, Fairfield Villa competed admirably against tough opposition and a few players stood out for the visitors. Liam Slade was brilliant at the back and constantly headed dangerous balls away from danger to give the visitors a chance of getting something from the match. He really stood up to the pressure from Redditch throughout the match and got into the right positions to clear the ball. Liam Taylor played well as the skipper and looked solid defensively at left back. He managed to win the ball back and clear the ball away from danger for the visitors.

Alex Knight and Samson Omotayo looked good up front and clearly have a lot of potential to get better throughout the season. Alex Knight got into some good positions near the box and Samson Omotayo looked dangerous on the ball and offered a bit of pace to get past his man and make something happen. Overall, it’s a young team and there’s a lot of potential in the squad which should give Fairfield supporters some hope for the coming months.        

FT Score: Redditch Borough 3-0 Fairfield Villa

Man of the Match: Shani Hall

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League