Redditch United 0-1 MUFC 'XI' - Match Report

Redditch United
By Chris O'Brien
July 24 2004

A Red Devils side made up of reserve and youth players pulled off a solid 1-0 win at the Valley Stadium over spirited non-league outfit Redditch United. The deadlock was broken on the hour courtesy of a Ritchie Jones strike, with the home side reduced to 10-men in the closing stages of the game.

A Manchester United 'XI' made up of reserve and youth players have beaten ? League outfit Redditch United 1-0 at the Valley Stadium courtesy of a Ritchie Jones strike on the hour mark. The result continues the excellent pre-season friendly form of the United reserves following victories over Irish outfit Cobh Ramblers and Stalybridge Celtic, with Ricky Sbragia's side yet to concede a goal as they prepare for the new campaign.

The allure of the Red Devils took the home attendance to just below 2,000, a figure which came close to breaking Redditch's gate receipts record, and home fans witnessed the non-league outfit put in an impressive performance against the young and energetic Manchester United side. Despite the superior fitness of the visitors, the Reds battled until the very end and will take pride and heart from their performance.

An even first-half saw the two teams go in at the interval level, but United finally broke the deadlock after 60 minutes when an impressive move resulted in Ritchie Jones slotting the ball past Redditch United shot stopper Richard Anstiss from close range. The 'keeper had been kept busy throughout the first-half but was helpless to do anything about Jones' goal which opened the scoring and eventually proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Despite trailing, Redditch played with spirit and character and kept United under pressure. The Red Devils 'keeper was rarely troubled, but Redditch went close through a long-range lob from Matt Gardiner and the visiting side could never totally relax with their slim cushion of a lead.

The game was marred slightly in the closing stages by the dismissal of Redditch's Anstiss. The goalkeeper was shown the red card after bringing down highly-rated Welsh youngster Ramon Calliste outside the penalty area, but the decision looked a harsh one. The hosts were forced to put outfielder Richard Field between the sticks, but United were sporting and kicked the resulting free-kick straight into touch as the game reached its end.

It is usually hard to draw many conclusions from these fixtures for a Manchester United perspective, and they are mainly far more beneficial games for the non-league sides with the extra revenue and publicity the visit of any sort of Red Devils side results in. However, this was another pleasing win for Ricky Sbragia's side and a third consecutive clean sheet to boot keeps things looking very positive for the United reserve and youth players on show as pre-season preparations continue.

Full Time - Redditch United 0-1 Manchester United 'XI'
Attendance - 1,900