JIMMY Fry praised Redditch United’s youngsters after the Reds battled to a 1-0 derby win against rivals Alvechurch.
A goal from Liam Loughlan settled the derby clash at the Valley Stadium as Harley Hamilton saw red for the visitors with Reds boss Mike Fowler also sent off.
Redditch named five 18-year-old’s and two 17-year-old’s in their matchday squad for the derby game owing to a number of injuries to first team players.
And Redditch assistant boss Fry, who used to manage Alvechurch, heaped praise on the club’s youngsters for standing up to the challenge against Alvechurch.
Fry said: “I’m delighted with the three points and a clean sheet, it was a tough night.
“We didn’t get to grips with the game in the first half but we came out with more of a purpose in what we were trying to do in the second half.
“It probably wasn’t as pleasing on the eye as our other wins but sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.
“We had half our squad in the stand, three 18-year-old’s starting, three 17-year-old’s on the bench and we’ve got boys from our college programme playing in central midfield.
“I thought it was a real credit to the football club across the board, both in the result and also showing our strength in depth.
“It’s testament to what we’re trying to do here. We have to dip into the young boys and we’re asking a lot of them, we had to call upon them and they stood up.”
Redditch are next in action against Gainsborough Trinity in the FA Trophy on Saturday, October 25 with kick-off at 3pm at the Valley Stadium.
