REDDITCH United claimed the bragging rights over local rivals Redditch Borough with a 4-0 win in the Worcestershire Senior Cup in the first-ever competitive meeting between the two clubs.
The Reds took the lead courtesy of Billy Shaw’s first-half goal before Max Ram headed in and Sam Fitzgerald netted a brace to settle the first round tie in front of a bumper crowd of 1,039 spectators at the Valley Stadium.
The historic derby clash was the first-ever meeting between the two clubs with Hellenic League Division One side Borough plying their trade three levels below Southern League Premier Central rivals United.
Borough spurned a glorious chance to take the lead in the first couple of minutes as Callum Debar pounced on a short backpass from Jordan Cranston only to shoot straight at Callum Smith when one-on-one.
The visitors went close again soon after when a Borough player cut in from the right and curled a shot just over the crossbar from 25-yards out.
However, United took the lead against the run of play on 13 minutes as Shaw finished at the back post after Borough failed to cut out a low ball in from the right.
The home side went close again soon after when Shaw found Cranston in space as the Borough goalkeeper kept out the defender’s powerful effort from just outside the penalty area.
Borough responded with a chance of their own as Sean Brain poked the ball wide after neat interplay on the edge of the United penalty area before the same player lashed a shot wide later in the half.
United went close to a second goal when Cyrus Bruce took the ball past the goalkeeper only to lose his footing at the crucial moment as the hosts took a one-goal lead into the break.
The home side doubled their lead just one minute after the interval as Ram headed in Fitzgerald’s corner from the right at the near post via the aid of the crossbar.
Fitzgerald stretched United’s lead seven minutes later with a cool finish into the bottom right corner to all but seal the home side’s place in the next round.
The Reds almost struck again just after the restart as Bruce shot narrowly wide of the post before George Atwal blasted an effort the wrong side of the post later in the half.
United added some gloss to the scoreline with seven minutes left to play when Fitzgerald placed a first time effort into the bottom left corner after Jaiden White superbly kept the ball in play.
Step Six side Borough almost grabbed a consolation goal late on only for a header from a free-kick to find the side netting.
The visiting fans caused a delay to the game moments later after a supporter threw a blue flare onto the pitch.
Borough produced a valiant performance but United showed their class to cruise into the next round and claim the local bragging rights.
