Charlton: Seniors must show steel (From Redditch Advertiser)

Charlton: Seniors must show steel

6:13pm Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News

ASA Charlton believes Redditch United’s senior players must lead by example as the club battles to escape relegation.

United’s player-coach is well aware that a youthful Reds team is on a sharp learning curve in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division.

But he is sure the likes of Liam McDonald, Mark Hands and himself can make a difference and guide the club’s young guns through this difficult period.

Charlton said: “The squad is very young and they are learning all about a relegation fight the hard way.

“In the long run it will hold them in good stead because they will never want to be in this position again.

“That’s why the likes of myself, Liam McDonald and all the senior players have got to roll our sleeves up and help the young guys as much as possible.”

Second from bottom United were also given a boost by the return of wideman Danny Edwards for a second spell at the Valley Stadium.

The wideman played in the 3-0 home loss to Bedford Town after joining on-loan from Worcester City.

“Danny Edwards is also a good addition,” added Charlton.

“We’ve got a good relationship with Matt Gardiner and Carl Heeley at Worcester and Danny was not really playing much so it’s great to have him here.

“He’s a wideman but he’s been playing up front for Worcester and he knows all about Redditch from the time he spent here a few years ago.”

Meanwhile, Redditch’s hopes of earning some much-needed points were hit when they lost 2-1 to Chesham last week and then went down to Bedford on Saturday.

In a further setback, last night’s clash at home to Bashley was called off because of a frozen pitch.

United’s next game is a testing trip to second-placed Leamington on Saturday (3pm ko) and Arlesley town next Tuesday (7.45pm ko).

Charlton confirmed Reds boss Simon Redhead is still looking for new signings but acknowledged that players would have to leave before new ones could join the club.

Keeper Brad Catlow is a doubt after he was laid low by a virus last week, which saw Dan Payne make his debut for Reds at the weekend.

Alex Hickman and Charlton have also shaken off illnesses which affected them last week, while Jermaine Clarke returned to parent club Solihull Moors.