REDDITCH United Reserves comfortably defeated their battling hosts Enville Athletic 4-2 in Midland Football League Division Three on Saturday, writes Luke Bowles.
The Reds had already triumphed over Enville earlier in the season when they defeated them 3-2 in a fiery Les James Challenge Cup preliminary round encounter and United, having also seen off Droitwich 5-4 in round one, are now looking forward to a second round game against Uttoxeter Town on Saturday at the Valley Stadium.
The Reds started brightly on Saturday but missed numerous chances and Enville took the lead when a cross from the right was only cleared partially by Luke Bowles and the ball fell to an unmarked midfielder who slotted it past visiting keeper Ryan Young.
Redditch kept pressing and played some free-flowing football which was rewarded when Liam Fullerton scored his 15th goal of the campaign.
The visitors were now in full control and winger Matthew Fearon produced a moment of individual brilliance to score the goal of the season so far when he twisted and turned and cut through three players before curling the ball past the keeper from 25 yards.
Redditch continued to dominate in the second half and made it 3-1 when Cameron Young struck.
Soon afterwards a trio of under 18s joined the action in the shape of Dmarni Wisdom – who has already made his first team debut – and Reserves debutants Hugo Morris and Kielo Brown.
It was Wisdom who struck next with a composed finish, before the hosts made it 4-2, and then Wisdom had a chance to score again but fired straight at the keeper.
Man of the match for Redditch, who have now won three games in succession, was Ben Cox.
The Reds now face a huge test on Saturday when they host Division One leaders Uttoxeter in the cup, but they are relishing the occasion. Entrance is only £3 per person.
