Late goal sinks Reds at Chesham (From Redditch Advertiser)

Late goal sinks Reds at Chesham

12:02pm Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News By David Lawrence

Chesham 2, Redditch United 1

Redditch slumped to a fourth straight defeat, a goal four minutes from time handing hosts Chesham the spoils.

But there were plenty of positives for manager Simon Redhead particularly in midfield where Connor Deards and Mark Hands put in impressive displays.

Chesham opened the scoring after 18 minutes when a defence-splitting pass found the unmarked John Kyriacou who in turn picked out Bruce Wilson who calmly placed his shot beyond Brad Catlow from 12 yards.

Deards was proving a handful for the home defence with a series of crosses as the Reds looked to get on level terms.

And the equaliser finally came on the stroke of half-time when a good passing move ended with Leavi Oshungbure firing home for his first league goal.

More good work from Deards at the start of the second half almost led to Dovey converting but the visitors’ best chance to take the lead came on the hour. A foul on Jack Cresswell resulted in Chesham keeper Shane Gore making an excellent double save from Josh Quaynor and Will Richards. Hands slotted home only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

Three minutes later and the home side should have taken the lead when Simon Thomas found himself with just the keeper to beat but put his ten-yard effort wide of the target.

Just when it looked as though the points would be shared, Chesham struck their late winner, Steve Wales punishing some sloppy defending with a 20-yard volley.

It could have been worse for the Reds as a foul by Asa Charlton on Thomas resulted in a penalty. Thomas took the kick but fired it weakly at Catlow in the United goal.

Saturday sees the Reds take on an in-form Bedford Town side at the Valley Stadium. The visitors have lost just one of their last five games.

Reds: Catlow 7, Moran 6, Quaynor 6, Flanagan 7 Charlton 7, HANDS 8 (McDonald 76), Deards 7, Richards 7, Dovey 7, Cresswell 6, Oshungbure 7 (Grandison 70, 5). Subs (not used): Jenkins, Hylton