UPDATED News: Redditch Utd budget cut denied by chairman

TIGHT LIPPED:
 Simon Redhead

REDDITCH United boss Simon Redhead refused to confirm or deny that his playing budget has been cut at the Valley Stadium following the departure of fans favourite Stuart Hendrie.

The former Morecambe frontrunner, who starred for the Reds last season before moving onto Stourbridge, returned to the Valley as recently as October, but the younger brother of ex-Aston Villa star Lee said on the social networking site today that his second spell had been cut short through cutbacks.

When asked about his departure by theonionsack, Hendrie tweeted: “I have left the club and want to say thanks to the fans they have been great as always.

“Was told the budget had been cut and couldn't afford to pay my wages. Gutted as I took a paycut to join them from Stourbridge.”

When asked about any adjustment, the manager of the Southern Premier strugglers politely declined to comment, a sentiment he repeated when asked whether the claims were false.

However, United’s manager did say: “Like all clubs, Redditch have found the winter difficult financially and there has been some pressure on the club. There have been so many games off, it has been a horrendous December.

“One thing I can say is to bring anyone in then players would have to go out as there is not much surplus in the budget at the moment.”

Meanwhile, on another possible departure, Redhead added that there has still been no movement with contract player Connor Deards.

The winger, a revelation on loan from Walsall last season, signed a deal with Reds in the summer but has struggled to command a place in the first XI and was made available for loan. 

On Deards, Redhead said: “There has been no movement yet. A couple of clubs came in for Connor but he and his agent felt it wasn’t right for him to go anywhere and they are pretty clear on their stance.

“He is a very good, talented player but he has struggled to adapt to the part time game and his confidence has suffered as a result. We felt it was in his best interests to go out on loan and that it might have done him good.

“After initially agreeing to go out he decided to stay put, so he will feature for us in the coming weeks and hopefully rediscover his form.”

UPDATE: 

theonionsack was unable to reach Redditch chairman Chris Swan, but the Valley Stadium supremo has since told the Redditch Advertiser that the speculation was wide of the mark in this article. 


However, in the same piece boss Redhead would not be drawn on the reasons behind Hendrie's departure. 

Report: Poole Town 2-3 Yate Town - Southern S&W

MATCH WINNER:
Yate's Matt Groves

THERE was an element of fate about Poole Town’s imperious home run coming to an end against bogey side Yate Town.

The Dolphins juggernaut has kept driving into Hungerford’s lead at the top of the Southern South & West, but all of the statistics and circumstances seemed against Poole on a day where Matt Groves’ injury time winner for Yate seemed inevitable.

Poole’s run of six straight wins with clean sheets in their last four surpassed Yate’s unbeaten run of seven matches with five wins going into the clash, but the visitors’ form was all the more surprising after winning one and losing nine of the opening ten matches before that.

And with boss Tom Killick away, the hosts were soon light on the pitch as well, assistant boss James Wood having to use all three substitutions before the second half started after injuries to defender Sam Clarke, wing wizard Carl Preston and goal machine Warren Byerley.

But in truth, the Dolphins were off colour before that and always looked uncharacteristically vulnerable at the back. On a heavy pitch, the hosts lacked tempo while Yate worked hard and were swift on the break, making light of the difficult conditions.

The match ebbed and flowed with little punch in the final third until Yate took a 13^th minute lead with a goal that would give Killick nightmares had he seen it.

After Groves’ shot was blocked by the chest of Will Spetch, the Dolphins failed to regroup for the resultant corner with Tom Seery heading home unchallenged from close range.

Poole were laboured in their efforts to fight back, but the revelation that is Warren Byerley conjured up some magic and earned a slice of luck with the equaliser.

The former Weymouth front man cut inside and did well to work some space on the edge of the penalty area before hitting a tame, bobbling shot that was heading well wide until Luke Burbidge reacted first, bombing onto the loose ball to crash home the leveller.

Byerley kept battling away and a neat touch and turn two minutes later bought the savvy striker some space on the edge of the box again and this time he made no mistake, his looping shot was deflected past the helpless Josh Dempsey to hand the hosts the lead.

Yate were not done and smart link up play between Mitchell Page and Scott Wilson saw the latter curl an effort just wide of Nick Hutchings’ post, but Poole did not heed the warning and allowed their lead to slip a minute later.

Wilson drove into space down the left and swung the ball in to the far post where the onrushing Page carefully watched the ball and sent a sublime cushioned volley past the flailing Hutchings.

The Dolphins were forced into some desperate defending before the break with Keith Emmerson instrumental as Clarke and Preston struggled with knocks that ultimately ended their afternoon.

And worse was to follow and an innocuous clash between Byerley and Yate’s Tom Warren saw Poole’s best hope writhing in agony after landing awkwardly on his ankle.

All three were replaced and while Poole kept plugging away, they just didn’t look the same side after the break.

Steve Devlin almost caught Dempsey out with an audacious chip while Byerley’s replacement Michael Charles, who looked out of sorts, spurned two presentable chances.

Yate were still dangerous on the break despite looking tired in some areas as Groves constantly switched wings to prove a thorn in Poole’s side. He flashed a shot just wide with Hutchings rooted to the spot midway through the second half before Adam Kelly saw Warren head his effort off the line at the other end.

Groves skimmed the post for Yate while Marvin Brooks drew a full stretch save from Dempsey as both sides cautiously sought the winner.

But it was Yate who upset the form book with another lapse in concentration proving costly. Wilson’s deep ball from right to left caught the Dolphins’ defence napping and Groves had time to cushion his header back across Hutchings at the far post, leaving the host’s 13 match unbeaten league run at Tatnam in tatters.

It was not all bad news though as, whisper it carefully, arch rivals Wimborne did the Dolphins a favour by ending title rivals Swindon Supermarine’s winning run as well as top dogs Hungerford losing at Mangotsfield.

This was an off day, but a rare one. Poole did show their quality in patches and could still have snared victory had one of their second half chances been converted. The Dolphins are still hot favourites to win the Southern South & West and rightly so.

Yate will rightly savour this victory but a betting man would still back Poole to lift the ultimate prize come May.

*THE post match interview with the Bournemouth Echo was with striker Warren Byerley who discusses his future at Tatnam after spending time dual registered with Dorchester Town. 

POOLE TOWN: Hutchings, Clarke (Baines 39), Spetch, Emmerson, Walker, Howes, Burbidge, Devlin, Byerley (Charles h-t), Preston (Kelly h-t), Brooks. Unused sub: Dibba. 

Goals: Burbidge 22, Byerley 24.

YATE TOWN: Dempsey, Warren, Cox, Thomas, Seery, Bater (Sarr 90+1), Groves, Bryant, Page, Wilson, Wring (Purnell 74). Unused subs: Meaker, Barnes, Cousins.

Goals: Seery 13, Page 30, Groves 90+2.

STAR MAN: Matt Groves (Yate Town)

Poole’s momentum was often stifled by their own misfortune, but Yate’s outball to Groves on the wings were also a vital part of their victory. As his team mates around him tired, Groves played with zest and energy and carried the fight. Fitting that he snatched the winning goal. 

Report: Sutton Coldfield Tn 4-3 Kidsgrove Ath - NPL One South

AT THE DOUBLE: Sutton striker
Mark Danks

SUTTON Coldfield Town may have a reputation for falling at the final fence when trying to snaffle a play-off place, but that all may be about to change for the Royals.

Coles Lane has witnessed its fair share of last ditch heartache in recent years with Sutton twice pushed out of the Southern League play-offs on goal difference, the second time by a single goal on the last day of the season in 2009-10 before blowing a promising position in their maiden Northern Premier League campaign in 2010-11.

And after a season of inconsistency saw Sutton slip to a 13^th place finish last season, locals could be forgiven for thinking the chances of Step 3 football were about as likely as local MP Andrew Mitchell remaining as Chief Whip.

However, after a shake-up both on and off the pitch and Neil Tooth’s surprise promotion to the manager’s role, the Royals have been on the up.

Tooth’s reign started with some patchy results, but since reshuffling his squad, the man who served as assistant to former boss Chris Keogh has overseen a run of 10 wins in 13 league matches, propelling the men in blue up to 3^rd in the Evostik NPL One South.

And this latest victory is testament to a change in mentality for the Royals.

So often routine wins against struggling sides have evaded Sutton through poor performances or defensive lapses, but a bold tactical change along with a generous dose of character saw Tooth’s side recover against a dogged Kidsgrove outfit.

A vital cog in Sutton’s results machine has been enigmatic striker Mark Danks. With Blue Square Bet North pedigree during his time with Worcester City, the at times feisty striker had plundered eight goals in six starts prior to this match before adding another two against an Athletic side that just couldn’t handle his movement.

Danks’ ninth of the season came after a clever bit of footwork outfoxed two markers before turning back inside to drill a low shot beyond Dave Dyson’s left hand to seemingly put Sutton in control.

But Kidsgrove hadn’t read the script and with lively front pairing Liam Shotton and Andy Kinsey giving the Royals plenty to think about, it allowed the rest of the side time and space to retain the ball well on the synthetic surface.

Ten minutes to go before the break and Kidsgrove were level as Shane Reaney’s low ball found Shotton who took full advantage of Phil Male’s slip to cross for Kinsey to rifle home.

And within four minutes, the Royals found themselves behind when Kinsey rattled in the goal of the day, collecting Paul Donnelly’s airborne ball with a single deft touch before volleying past stunned keeper Lee Evans.

Things got no better for the shell shocked hosts at the start of the second half as Shotton cut inside and saw a swirling effort fizz past the far post with Evans stranded before the third came courtesy of a horrible mix up at the back. Louis Keenan wasted the chance to clear his lines before Evans made a hash of collecting with Daniel Skelton tapping home the loose ball.

But it was from there that Sutton’s performance stood out from their previous endeavours. The crowd stayed with a side that remained purposeful. Tooth went three at the back with substitute Jamie Sheldon adding impetus to the attack, and the former Leamington livewire got the Royals back on track driving a half cleared corner across Dyson and into the bottom far corner with his first two touches.

With over half an hour to play the pendulum had swung – Kidsgrove were tiring with Shotton and Kinsey steadily drifting out of the game.

The Royals continued to probe and that man Danks was again in the thick of the action to equalise, peeling away from his marker to tuck a neat finish into Dyson’s bottom right corner following Lee Parsons’ long throw.

As Sutton sought a winner Kristian Ramsey-Dickson’s thumping header was cleared off the line by James Curly, but Tooth’s charges weren’t to be denied as Luke Chapman picked up a loose ball and hit a speculative shot for all of 30 yards, beating Dyson at his near post.

As well hit as Chapman’s effort was, Dyson will be disappointed not to have kept it out, though it was no less than the home side deserved with Kidsgrove offering little in response.

There may still be flaws in this Sutton side, but with Danks on board it is hard to bet against them finally making that top five this time, and in such free scoring form the Royals could yet be this season’s surprise package.

SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN: Evans, Lycett, Keenan (Sheldon 54), Parsons, Kettle, Male, D Taylor (Leek 86), Edwards, Ramsey-Dickson, Danks (McNaught 90), Chapman. Unused subs: Thompson, Bedford (g/k).

Goals: Danks 17, 71, Sheldon 56, Chapman 81.

KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC: Dyson, Curly, P Taylor, Donnelly, Parkinson, Espley, Reaney (Nagington 86), Skelton, Shotton, Kinsey, Sherratt (Johnston 77). Unused subs: Hill, White, Street.

Goals: Kinsey 35, 39, Skelton 52.

STAR MAN: Daryl Taylor (Sutton Coldfield Town)

A difficult decision, but Taylor was instrumental in the way that Sutton played. The width he gave the Royals allowed Danks the space to work his magic as well as working hard without the ball. Danks and Kinsey were at their prolific best and ran Taylor close, but the wing wizard takes the plaudits for showing the courage and ability to prize Kidsgrove open despite them shielding a two goal lead. 

Report: Market Drayton Town 1-0 Romulus - NPL Div One South

COMEBACK TRAIL:
Marcus Brown

IT summed up Romulus’ season perfectly.

A performance that wasn’t a million miles from what was required, wasted chances and questionable refereeing, but still no goals and no points for Richard Evans’ relegation battlers.

With just one defender on the pitch, the Roms were stoic in their resistance against a hard working Market Drayton side on a heavy, sloping Greenfields pitch.

Liam Roberts, the Roms keeper on loan from Walsall, stood out by making a handful of vital saves early in the second half before the visitors kicked into gear and steadily found the cohesion that Evans craved.

However, despite Ashley Jackson seeing his effort somehow spooned off the line by Paul McMullen and Marcus Brown having a cast iron penalty waved away, Roms could not find a way through.

And even when the most glorious of chances fell to new boy Luke Keen, who sprang the offside trap to face Drayton keeper Andrew Pryce one-on-one from 8 yards, a moment’s hesitancy before trying to pass to Brown wasted the opportunity. Visiting fans didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Evans’ men were left chasing the game after an error at the other end that left the crowd bemused. A ball sprayed from right to left was aimed for lively Drayton winger Rob Stevenson with stand-in right back and captain Marcus Jackson unnecessarily crashing into his adversary as the ball seemed set to run out of play.

After consulting his assistant, referee Steve Mycock pointed to the spot with Martyn Davies coolly slotting home from 12 yards on the stroke of half time.

But Mycock further angered the men from Coles Lane with an inconsistent performance, allowing cynical play from Drayton captain Nicky Porter to go unpunished before Brown’s ankle was kicked in the penalty area by McMullen after the break. There was no penalty though, despite the returning Roms goalgetter sporting a bleeding ankle.

It would be easy to blame the referee for the defeat, but in fairness to the hosts they hit the post in the opening exchanges and dominated the opening 20 minutes before Roberts saved well from Matt Johnson, Stevenson and Craig Ryan in quick succession early in the second half.

The Roms had plenty of pressure and chances from there but were laboured and never truly laid siege on the Drayton goal. On another day, they may have earned a point, but the second half display was encouraging enough to believe that Romulus’ recent signings will gel and help them to turn the corner.

Graham Deakin adds Conference North pedigree while Luke Keen, misfiring at the moment, has a reputation for goals at this level with Atherstone Town and Rugby Town. Marcus Brown, who plundered 25 goals in the Roms’ opening Northern Premier League season will also be a handful when back in full flow.

With the talent Romulus possess, they will surely improve on a record of just 20 league goals this season, currently eight less than the next lowest in the First Division South.

And with Richard Munday to return alongside dependable defender Liam Francis, the panic button should be left alone.  

With the tenacity shown since their formation as a boy’s club in 1979, it always used to be said around the Midlands that you should never rule the Roms out. Despite this game going against the nomadic club there were still plenty of reasons to back that up. There is fight in the young dog yet.

MARKET DRAYTON TOWN: Pryce, Jones (D Proffitt 64), Connor (Ting 76), Swetnam, McMullen, Blake, Porter, Johnson, Ryan, Davies (S Proffitt 71), Stevenson. Unused sub: Cooke.

Goal: Davies (p) 45.

ROMULUS: Roberts, M Jackson, Ravenhill, O’Callaghan, Francis, Deakin, Walker, Keen (Gregory 81), Brown, A Jackson, Amory. Unused subs: Stone, Hadley, Meakin-Richards, Exall (g/k).

STAR MAN: Rob Stevenson (Market Drayton Town)

Constant thorn in the experienced Marcus Jackson’s side and his chasing of a lost cause won the penalty that decided this clash. Equally adept at cutting inside to shoot and providing ammunition from the left, he made the difference in generally poor match. 

Southern Premier: Bashley battling back as Saints suffer

DOUBLE: Bash striker
Mark Gamble

BASHLEY moved back into the top of an increasingly tight Southern League Premier Division and to within three points of the play-offs with a third straight victory over St Albans City.

Frank Gray’s men have forced their way up the table while the Saints have hit troubled waters and are winless in five.

Chairman Ian Ridley left after disagreeing with an increase to admission prices with manager David Howell quickly dismissed after. The Saints board cited poor results but Howell hit back saying it was down to budget cuts.

A matter of weeks ago, this result may have looked unlikely, but Bash grabbed a deserved 2-0 victory with both sides seemingly heading in opposite directions. Bash striker Mark Gamble grabbed both of the goals.

*The report focussing on Bashley’s revival in the Bournemouth Echo can be found here.