"Bucks looking to get back to winning ways against the Reds"

Match Date : February 15th, 2025 3:00 pm
Competition : Southern League Premier Central
Ground : New Bucks Head
Kick Off : 15:00

The Bucks will look to get back to winning ways this weekend, when Redditch are the visitors to the SEAH Stadium.

The Reds finished 4th last season and were unlucky to lose to Leamington in the playoff semi final. The Worcestershire side spent much of the season in the top three, but any hopes of a title tilt fell away after February and Matt Clarke’s enforced absence from the dugout.

Clarke had to step away from the club after drugs charges were brought against him. The charges were subsequently dropped at the end of June, but that ruling came too late for the Reds who had already committed to a change in the dugout, and it was Tim Flowers who began the season in the Redditch dugout. Fast forward to November though, and Flowers departed for Alvechurch, clearing the way for Clarke to return to the Valley Stadium.

It would be fair to say that Clarke’s current spell in charge of the Reds isn’t going as well as his previous one. Redditch have picked up only 11 points from the 39 on offer since Clarke returned, although the Reds did beat title contenders Kettering 3-2 in January.

Clarke’s job has not been made easy though, with a number of key players leaving mid-season. Star man Johnny Johnston recently left for Buxton, last season’s top scorer Alex Cameron and tenacious midfielder Billy Shaw both left just before Christmas (for Halesowen and Bromsgrove, respectively), while tricky forward Jaiden White signed for Hereford shortly before Clarke took charge. Clarke can still call on dangerman Marvellous Onabirekhanlen though, and Ryan Boothe has impressed with three goals in seven games since arriving from Bromsgrove.

Flowers’ Reds ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at the Valley Stadium in October, although there have obviously been some pretty significant changes at the Worcestershire club since then. Redditch haven’t won away from home in the league since Clarke’s return, in fact, with their last win on the road coming at St Ives back in October.

While Kevin Wilkin’s men have been recently dogged by some frustrating draws, the Bucks have only lost once in their last eight outings and are seven unbeaten on home soil. Kevin Wilkin’s men won last season’s corresponding fixture 3-0 too, and the Bucks could potentially return to the top of the table with all three points again this Saturday.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Tickets for Saturday’s fixture will remain on sale up until kick-off and are available for purchase online in advance. See our ticketing page for further details.