Keeper Hewitt rides to Knight’s rescue (From Redditch Advertiser)

Keeper Hewitt rides to Knight’s rescue

9:44am Thursday 7th March 2013 in Sport

BOSS Lee Knight hailed his Studley team after they recorded an impressive 2-1 win over high-flying Stourport Swifts.

The Bees chief also singled out keeper Paul Hewitt for praise.

Hewitt was drafted in at short notice because of injuries to Sheridan Martinez (neck) and Sam Brady (gashed leg) and despite missing a finger on his right hand and playing with a toe injury he produced a solid display.

The keeper was one of a number of heroes for the relegation-battling Bees after goals for Liam O’Shea and Scott Turner fired them ahead, before Dan Polan pulled one back for the second-placed side in the Midland Alliance.

“I don’t normally single individuals out but Paul was fantastic for us,” Knight said.

“He lost a finger in an accident at work and because of his toe injury every time he kicked the ball he was in agony but did a great job.

“The back four and midield did their job and protected him as well.

“Stourport are a big strong side and we stood up to them physically and I thought we dominated them in the first-half and scored some well crafted goals.”

Studley, who entertained Heath Hayes last night, have drafted in former Redditch United keeper Jake Bedford from Sutton Coldfield Town and he will be available to play mid-week games, although it is hoped that Martinez and Brady will recover soon from their injuries.

Brady limped off injured in last week’s 3-2 loss to local rivals Alvechurch after 20 minutes. O’Shea’s double had put Studley into a 2-0 lead before a brace for Jack O’Donnell and one for Jake Allen completed a fight back by the Churchmen.

Meanwhile, midfielder Lee Dunkley has left the club and joined Midland Combination side Bromsgrove Sporting.

Knight said: “It hasn’t worked out for Lee with us and we wish him all the best, we’ve got a big enough squad to deal with him leaving.”

Studley face a tough test on Saturday as they go to in-form Gornal Athletic on Saturday (3pm ko) and then entertain Lye Town in the Worcestershire Senior Urn semi-final next Tuesday (7.45pm).