The initial signs were not good, the new kit included some decidedly unflattering white socks and Redditch were looking far too quick for our defence. In the opening minutes we were sliced apart down the right and were lucky to see the shot go over. That turned out to be only a short reprieve as minutes later another attack came down the left and this time the cross was lashed in from near the penalty spot by Martin Myers.

City recovered some composure although Redditch had chances to add a second in the first period, with Hines needing to be alert to the crosses coming over. As the match settled down City managed to push forward a little, with Cox's pace once again our main weapon. He almost latched onto a good Marshall pass, and Parnell had chances from both a 20 yard drive and a header at a corner.

The first half definitely belonged to Redditch though and they should have made their dominance count further. City had to face a string of corners without Hines being forced to make a proper save. The pressure did give Dicks chance to make a crucial saving tackle down the left wing and also for Griffiths to impress by his bustling work rate at right back.

The second half was a lively scrap, starting almost from kick-off when another deep cross was this time met well by a Redditch header. Hines was nowhere but was saved by Griff scraping the ball off the line. The match then really caught fire when Marshall went in for a loose ball and caught the Redditch keeper very heavily. Marshall may have been fortunate to escape with a booking, but the Redditch keeper Murphy was carried off after lengthy treatment on the pitch. He was replaced in goal by one of the Redditch defenders who almost conceded immediately when Griff smashed a volley only an inch above the bar.

Fleetingly the home team were unsure of themselves and their sub was booked for a late challenge which marked his first contribution to the game. The free kick was fluffed by the stand-in keeper, but he managed to eventually hold on to Griff's follow up shot. However the loss of their keeper had made Redditch thirsty for revenge which they took in upsettingly fine style. The impressive Matt Hall picked up a loose ball and ran at Dicks, comfortably beating him for pace before smashing the ball low past Hines. The celebrations were understandable, although why one of Redditch's subbed players quite felt the need to wave his arse at the City fans remains a source of mystery.

City then became a victim of another weak refereeing decision. Debutant sub Billy Davis had only had a few brief touches of the ball before Redditch's sub, Scott Darrock, left him prone with a high late challenge. Having already been booked minutes earlier the ref had no option but to book Darrock again and dismiss him - but somehow he bottled it, leaving Davis to be carried off and replaced by Tommy Callinan. A less timid ref would have been by now officiating a ten-a-side match.  

City did manage to show some fight and put Redditch under a little pressure. Chennas grabbed a goal back with a low drive from fifteen yards after Redditch failed to clear Cox's cross from the right. However that put a somewhat flattering look to the score line as City were well beaten by a team that themselves did not look anything special. Tommy Callinan will have been particularly worried by a lack of strength in midfield with Tucks especially out of sorts and giving away possession too often. On the bright side for City fans at least we back in our proper colours, and rumour has it the next match may even be at home...