Photo taken by Jay Poole
Match Report written by Jack Underwood
Redditch United earned a point on the opening day of the 2026/27 season, after a draw with Leighton Town. United took the lead after an own goal came from a corner, before Sam King equalised for the visitors in the second half.
The first effort of the game fell to the way of the Reds, when Robbie Bunn played a lovely over-the-top through ball to Danny King, but his effort from close range was saved by the legs of Daniel Hosier.
United enjoyed the majority of chances in the first quarter of the game, as Aram Soleman then had two quick efforts from range, with the first going over the bar, and the second just wide of the top corner.
There was a lengthy stoppage in play after the visiting goalkeeper Hosier went down with injury and was eventually helped off the pitch by his teammates.
Leighton skipper Kyal Williams was able to skip past his man into the box and his effort flew over the crossbar.
Sydney Ibie sprinted down the left flank, dribbling past a number of defenders, but his low cut-back was unable to be tapped in by any visiting player.
King did well to beat his man and cut back for Bunn on the edge of the box, but his effort skied over the bar.
Eventually, Redditch took the lead just before half-time, after a corner forced an own goal from Leighton.
Shortly after the break, Williams delivered a dangerous cross into the box, which was almost met by Ibie at the back post. Straight down the other end, Bunn came close with an effort from range.
The game had burst into life, as it was pinball in the Redditch penalty area. A Leighton man went down after a scramble, and there were shouts for a penalty, but the referee waved away the claims.
Williams was involved for the visitors again, when he delivered another ball into the box, the ball was only cleared to the edge of the box and Sam King hit the ball straight into the top corner from range to equalise.
Both teams were giving everything in order to win the game at the death, and in the 85th minute Leighton worked the ball well into the box, and Rory Brown pulled off a great stop from close range to deny a Leighton winner.
Eventually, the referee blew for full-time to seal a point on the opening day at the Valley Stadium.
Redditch United XI: Brown; Shambrook, Owen, Foreshaw, Grewal-Pollard; Soleman, Fielding, Bunn (C); King, Sweeney, Whyte-Hall.
Subs: Cameron (69’), Bruck (59’), Fernando, Murchison, Sumnall.
Attendance: 1,041
