Missed chances cost Reds a vital victory (From Redditch Advertiser)

Missed chances cost Reds a vital victory

10:45am Wednesday 20th February 2013 in Sport

Redditch United 0, Banbury United 2

TWO goals in five minutes early in the second half ensured Redditch slumped to a disappointing defeat.

But Simon Redhead’s side had more than enough chances before the break to have had the points in the bag and it was only impressive Banbury keeper Warren Carter who kept them at bay.

He pulled off an excellent save on 23 minutes to tip Alex Hickmans looping header over the bar and the resulting corner saw Liam McDonald volley wide.

The Reds continued to play the better football and it needed another good save from Carter at the foot of his post to keep out a low shot from Jermaine Hylton.

Strike pair Hylton and Will Richards combined well on 26 minutes with the latter sneaking in behind the visitors’ defence only for the Banbury keeper to block his effort.

But after dominating for so long, the Reds almost went behind three minutes before the break when Kynan Isaac pounced on a defensive slip and drilled a shot against the upright.

Carter made another good save at the start of the second period, pushing a Josh Quaynor shot around the foot of the post, but from then on Banbury took control.

Albi Skandi opened the scoring on 49 minutes, swapping passes with Isaac before firing beneath Reds keeper Brad Catlow.

Five minutes later and the visitors doubled their advantage when Wayne Blossom was left unmarked at a Marvin Martin free-kick and he sent a neat effort beyond the United keeper.

There could have been a third for Banbury midway through the half when Nabil Shariff let fly from the edge of the box only for the ball to again hit the woodwork.

Reds: Catlow 5, Moran 6, Flanagan 7, Charlton 7, Hickman 6, McDonald 7, Bennett 6 (Oshungbure 56, 6), Hands 7, HYLTON 8 (Deards 74), Richards 7, Quaynor 5 (Washbourne 56, 6). Sub (not used): Dovey