Teenage Leavi stars in narrow defeat (From Redditch Advertiser)

Teenage Leavi stars in narrow defeat

10:34pm Sunday 28th October 2012 in Evo-Stick Southern Premier Table & Results

Redditch United 0, Barwell 1

Redditch United slipped to a second successive league defeat as visitors Barwell moved into a play-off place.

Reds recalled Stuart Hendrie and Liam McDonald, both rested for the midweek cup win over Worcester City, to the starting line-up in place of Elikem Amenku and Jack Cresswell.

But it was Joel Grandison who had United's first chance when he ran at the Barwell defence, holding off two challenges before shooting wide. That came just moments after a similar effort from the Canaries' Jamie Towers had been deflected narrowly wide of the upright.

Will Richards should have done better than firing way over the bar after pouncing on a loose ball in midfield just before the half hour, while neither goalkeeper was called upon to make a noteworthy save in the opening 45 minutes.

Reds made a change at the break, replacing McDonald with Leavi Oshungbure, and the reserve team youngster immediately created a greater threat than existed in the first half, twisting to make room before letting loose a rising effort that Liam Castle did well to hold.

Just after the hour mark, Barwell took the lead when Tom Weale slammed home a far-post effort after a spell of pressure. The same player then went close to doubling the visitors' advantage with a shot that clipped the side netting.

Mark Hands fired off target when well placed, while United's best chance for an equaliser came in stoppage time, when Grandison sliced his attempted cross wastefully behind with two players waiting in front of goal.

Reds: Wren 6, Moran 6, Quaynor 7, Flanagan 7, Hickman 7, Richards 6 (Bridgwater 82), Deards 6, Hands 6, Hendrie 7, Grandison 5, McDonald 5 (OSHUNGBURE 46, 8). Subs not used: Amenku, Jenkins, Catlow.