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AFC Telford United 1-1 Redditch United
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AFC Telford United and Redditch United took a point each from this encounter after Ryan Beswick's second-half goal for the visitors equalised Jon Adams' goal for the Bucks. Not surprisingly Telford, playing a fourth game in just eight days, looked very tired and Redditch may feel disappointed not to have taken all three points after dominating for long spells of the match, writes Steve Humbles.

Redditch could have taken the lead after just 3 minutes, Ryan Young making a smart save to deny Owen Story at the back-post with the Bucks scrambling the loose ball out for a corner. Lucan Spittle's header was gratefully clutched by Young following a corner on 7 minutes and on the quarter-hour Young saved Story's effort from another Redditch flag-kick. On 17 minutes the visitors did have the ball in the net, former Telford striker Gary Hay converting Story's right-wing cross into an empty net, but Redditch's joy was punctured by an offside flag. Spittle then wasted another excellent chance on 19 minutes, firing wide after Young had failed to claim Asa Charlton's free-kick, and the Worcestershire side were made to rue their missed opportunities when the Bucks took the lead totally against the run of play on 22 minutes. Danny Carey-Bertram's cross from the right squirmed out of the hands of Redditch goalkeeper Danny Lewis and Jon Adams was on hand to shoot into the empty net. Gavin Cowan came close to extending Telford's advantage four minutes before half-time, the centre-back just failing to make the required contact at the back-post from Danny Edwards' corner.

The second-half continued in very much the same vein as the first with Redditch continuing to dominate against a jaded-looking Telford. The impressive Beswick forced Young into a good save from a free-kick four minutes after the restart and Michael Briscoe, in space at the back-post, then totally missed Beswick's free-kick from the right flank on 55. The visitors were perhaps fortunate to escape on 56 minutes when the Bucks had strong claims for a penalty turned down. Carey-Bertram, clean through on goal after Liam Blakeman's excellent through-ball, appeared to be fouled as prepared to pull the trigger but Telford's protests were waved away. The Bucks then enjoyed a major escape themselves on the hour. Mark Hands' shot struck the post and from the follow-up Gavin Cowan produced a superb acrobatic goalline clearance to protect Telford's lead. However, Redditch finally got the goal that their dominance deserved on 64 minutes; Beswick breaking free in the inside-right channel and producing a shot which was just too powerful for Young to keep out. In the closing minutes, the Bucks finally started to press the visitors back. Cowan's header from Edwards' corner was saved by Lewis with just three minutes remaining, Rodgers' shot was deflected just wide and Vaughan's long-range drive flew narrowly over. In truth though defeat would have been very harsh on Redditch and indeed the visitors had another chance to win it themselves in injury-time, Young saving from Gary Hay after the striker had broke free of the Telford defence.

AFC Telford United: 1. Ryan Young, 2. Lee Vaughan, 3. Danny Edwards, 4. Gavin Cowan, 5. Stuart Whitehead (c), 6. Liam Blakeman, 7. Jon Adams, 8. Carl Rodgers, 9. Danny Carey-Bertram, 10. Mark Danks, 11. Steve Jagielka. SUBS: 12. Indy Khela, 14. Lee Moore (for Blakeman 72), 15. Emeke Nwadike, 16. Jimmy Turner (for Jagielka 72), 17. Martyn Naylor

Referee: Mr S.P. Bennett

Attendance: 2028

Pictured: Above: Mark Danks battles with the Redditch United defenders and below Jon Adams gives Telford the lead as Carl Rodgers is grounded.