Reid praised after brilliant Reds debut (From Redditch Advertiser)

Reid praised after brilliant Reds debut

4:55pm Wednesday 14th November 2012 in Evo-Stick Southern Premier Table & Results

DELIGHTED manager Simon Redhead hailed the impact of striker Jake Reid after he scored on his Redditch United debut.

Reid joined the Reds on a month’s loan from Blue Square Bet Premier side AFC Telford last week and made an immediate impact by hitting the target in Saturday’s 1-0 win over crisis-club Kettering Town.

Redhead believes the strapping 6ft 2in centre forward is exactly the sort of player he’s been looking for to add some muscles to United’s front line.

It ends a frustrating search for the United boss.

He said: “Jake is absolutely the type of player we wanted to bring in.

“He’s powerful and in my mind a proper Conference Premier player, I’d like to thank Telford manager Andy Sinton for helping us out.

“It’s a good move for both parties, Jake needs games under his belt and we needed someone of his quality.

“He was brilliant against Kettering and was my man-of-the-match.”

Saturday’s win over the Poppies was the first in Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division since October 13, although they have recorded a fine cup victory over Worcester, but it was made difficult by Kettering.

The Northamptonshire side had not played for five weeks because of their financial woes but Redhead was impressed by their youthful team.

He said: “I though Kettering were quite good, they were better than some of the sides we have played.

“The manager has put together a team full of young players playing for their future and it will be interesting to see their results.”

But Redditch suffered a setback when influential centre back Alex Hickman picked up an injury and looks set to be out for some time.

Hickman had only just returned from a toe injury but a sidestrain means he is set for another spell on the sidelines.

United have been engulfed by a minor injury crisis with Lyndon Dovey, Liam McDonald and Jack Cresswell also out.

The manager added: “We can get away with one game with a few injuries but any longer than that and we will struggle.

“Hopefully Liam, Jack and Lyndon will be back next week but Alex is a big blow.

“He’s sustained this injury because of his broken toe and could be out for a while.”

Redditch will be looking to make it back-to-back wins in the league when they entertain Chippenham Town at the Valley Stadium on Saturday (3pm ko).