Red hot favourites itching for title
Redditch Borough – 1
S McDonald 2’
FC Stratford – 2
J Williams 29’ T Sibanda 71’
14th March 2026
FC Stratford were made to work hard for all three points at Redditch Borough last month, a glorious warm & sunny afternoon in Worcestershire had threatened a shock when Shaquille McDonald nodded the hosts in front in the early echelons of the contest.
But a leveller on the half hour then switched the momentum and when Tyrese Sibanda found all the time in the world to secure a second after the interval, the team adorned in yellow were able to see out the remainder in relative comfort.
With closest rivals Bewdley Town heavily beaten at Cheltenham Saracens, victory widened the margin at the summit as the promotion battle entered the final stages of the season, for Borough the gap between themselves & the play-offs surely meant a mid-table finish was on the cards.
James Douglas took the opening corner of the game which led to some head tennis before the former Peterborough & Derby striker pounced to steer past Ethan Pheasey in the Stratford goal, the first opportunity at the opposing end saw Ben Cook’s deflected effort spin away to safety.
The resulting set piece saw a Dan Atkins header pushed out by the gloves of Callum Monaghan, Jake Williams’ follow up then hacked off the line by Alessandro Pierpoint; straight up the other end Dale Edwards forced a brilliant save at the foot of the left-hand post.
Parity was restored on twenty-nine minutes when a flick on at the edge of the six-yard area found Jake Williams at the back stick who climbed highest between two blue shirts to nod down past the despairing outstretched arm of the keeper.
McDonald almost bagged his second soon afterwards, stealing possession on the far touchline he cut infield and squared to George Dimmock whose shot was blocked, the recoil rolled out to the marksman who had continued his run, but he could only screw wide of the closest upright.
Before the break James Batchelor ran onto a loose ball only to see his top corner bound effort deflect away, after the traditional oranges were devoured, his side were to continue creating chances looking for a winner.
Tom Daccus almost put the visitors ahead when he pushed past the advancing Monaghan chasing a hopeful punt upfield, but by the time he gathered and cut back in to curl towards the unguarded goal, defenders had recovered to avert the danger.
The winner duly arrived moments later on the counter attack, a simple ball down the middle of the pitch saw three yellows versus two blues, Daccus fed Batchelor who squared into Sibanda, despite the desperate appeals for a flag, the front man was ruled onside to roll into the empty net. F/T: 1-2
Competition: Hellenic Football League Division One
Venue: Redditch Borough Community Sports & Social Club
Kick-Off: 3.00pm
Surface: Grass
Programme: £3
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For final Hellenic Football League Division One table please: click here
