LIAM Loughlan scored a second-half brace as Redditch United claimed a 3-1 home win against play-off rivals Halesowen Town.
Loughlan doubled the home side’s lead just before the hour mark and later completed the scoring to seal the points at the Valley Stadium.
That came after Finn Howell’s early goal put the Reds ahead while Jason Cowley kept the Yeltz in the contest with a goal for the visitors just past the hour mark.
The result means Redditch sit fourth in the Southern League Premier Central table, two points clear of the chasing pack in the race for a play-off place.
United made the perfect start when Alex Cameron helped on Danny King’s initial cross and Howell turned the ball home at the back post from close range with the game just seven minutes old.
The Reds went close again soon after as Loughlan’s reverse pass released Liam Loughran who saw his shot saved by Halesowen goalkeeper Dan Platt.
The visitors responded with a chance of their own as Tyrese Warmington comfortably batted down Cowley’s ambitious lob from 30-yards out.
Halesowen almost drew level when a loose ball broke to Kyle Finn in the box as the midfielder flashed a shot inches past the post on the turn.
And Jak Hickman curled a free-kick against the post from 20-yards out as only the woodwork denied the Yeltz a leveller.
The visitors remained on top as Fin Holmes saw his effort deflect narrowly wide before Warmington tipped former Reds defender Ryan Wollacott’s header over the crossbar.
However, United doubled their lead on 59 minutes when Loughlan curled a free-kick around the wall and into the bottom left corner of the goal from 20-yards out.
To find out more go to bizbet. Warmington made a sharp save low down to his left soon after following good link-up play between Finn and Cowley.
And the Redditch goalkeeper made another save low down to deny Cowley after the forward’s strike came through a crowd of bodies.
Halesowen eventually halved the deficit on 64 minutes as Cowley rounded Warmington and finished into an empty net from Tyrone Barnett’s knock down.
Redditch responded when Aram Soleman lashed a powerful shot towards goal with Platt equal to the midfielder’s effort.
Warmington came to the home side’s rescue again later in the half as he sprung to his left to deny Josh Smile from distance after Luke Ward made a superb block moments earlier.
The Reds almost made sure of the points when Platt spilled Morgan Owen’s near-post effort against the post.
However, Loughlan completed the scoring four minutes from time when he turned home King’s low ball in from the right from five-yards out.
Redditch are next in action against Kettering Town on Saturday, February 7 with kick-off at 3pm at Latimer Park.
