Sheldon brace lifts Reds (From Redditch Advertiser)

Sheldon brace lifts Reds

5:16pm Saturday 26th December 2009

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Redditch United 4, Gloucester City 1

Jamie Sheldon bagged a second half double as Redditch roared to victory over fellow Blue Square North strugglers Gloucester.

Andy Ducros and Matt Blair were also on target before the visitors grabbed a last gasp consolation.

The Reds were ahead after just four minutes. Blair collected the ball wide on the right before dragging the ball back to Ducros who slotted home from 12 yards.

And they doubled the lead four minutes later with another move down the right, this time Luke Barlone the provider with Blair steering the ball into the net from close range.

As the half wore on, the visitors began to come more into the game but solid defending kept them at bay.

On 18 minutes, a Ducros corner picked out Redditch defender Liam Francis but his header was cleared off the line by James Palmer.

And there was another close call five minutes before the break when Gloucester keeper Mike Green produced a good double save to keep out Blair and Barlone.

The second half saw teenager Sam Ellis replace Lee Marshall for Gloucester and the substitute helped the Tigers produce their best period of the game.

On 52 minutes, Redditch keeper Danny Lewis did well to keep out a Jack Harris header before Gloucester missed a glorious chance to claw their way back into contention when Lee Smith drilled a penalty over the crossbar moments later.

Lewis then kept out shots from Mike Symons and Jack Pitcher as Gloucester looked to turn possession into goals.

But after being on the defensive, Redditch increased their lead with their first shot of the half. Asa Charlton and Ducros were involved in a clever build-up down the left before Sheldon curled in a glorious 25-yard effort.

Sheldon struck his second from the penalty spot five minutes from time after being brought down in the area, before Ben Hunt scrambled a late consolation.

Reds: Lewis 7, Gill 7, Charlton 7, Clarke 8, Rowe 6 (Bridgwater 55, 6), Francis 6, Byrne 6, Sheldon 8, Barlone 7 (Semper 76), Blair 8, DUCROS 9 (McGrath 82). Subs (not used): Carter, Benbow.

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