REDDITCH UNITED 4 GLOUCESTER CITY 1

WITH the heart of the team watching from the stands Gloucester City lacked passion and pride away at Redditch,

writes Jenni Silver.

The fire brigade were called in to clear water at the Valley Stadium prior to kick-off leaving a surface which suited neither side.

But the lack of Matt Rose and Tom Webb in midfield left the Tigers weakened.

James Palmer and Jack Harris filled their places but neither could get to grips with Redditch's forwards.

Ex-Coventry City striker Andy Ducros and Jamie Sheldon were set free to run and immediately threatened the Gloucester back line.

On four minutes Matt Blair ran free of his markers and fired in a cross to Ducros who calmly beat Mike Green.

Things went from bad to worse four minutes later when Matt Blair stepped onto a cross and fired home a second for the home side.

Green kept it at just two down at half-time making show stopping saves from Blair then Jamie Sheldon within a minute.

Tigers boss Dave Mehew took off the lacklustre Lee Marshall at half-time replacing him with Sam Ellis.

They were handed a lifeline within minutes when Mike Symons was brought down in the box for a Gloucester penalty. But Lee Smith scuffed the shot from the spot over the bar. Although Gloucester had the pick of the possession the loss of Matt Rose, Tom Webb and Neil Mustoe left them bare and exposed in midfield.

The likes of Sheldon and Ducros were given more space and it was Sheldon who curled in a smart shot from outside the box on 68 to make it 3-0.

A late penalty for Redditch zipped past Green and a headed goal from Bristol Rovers loanee Ben Hunt on his debut for Gloucester was little consolation for the travelling fans.

Gloucester City: Green, Baldwin, Marshall (Ellis 46), Richards, Hamblin, Palmer, Smith (McClennan 71), Hunt, Pitcher (C Preece 71), Symons, Harris. Subs not used: B Preece, D Mehew

Redditch United: Lewis, Gill, Charlton, Clarke, Rowe (Bridgewater 55) Francis, Byrne, Sheldon, Barlone (Semper 76), Blair, Ducros (McGrath 82). Subs not used: Carter, BenBow

Referee: C Husband

Attendance: 428

Star man: Mike Symons

Manager Dave Mehew's thoughts of the game: Page 32