MIKE Fowler praised the grit and determination of his side after Redditch United completed a league double over Halesowen Town.
A brace from Liam Loughlan and early goal from Finn Howell secured the points for the Reds after Jason Cowley kept the visitors in the contest at the Valley Stadium.
The result means Redditch sit fifth in the Southern League Premier Central table, one point clear of the chasing pack in the race for a play-off place.
And Fowler praised his side’s tactical discipline after victory saw Redditch leapfrog the Yeltz in the table.
Fowler said: “I thought we were fantastic, when the man of the match was announced I felt it could have been one of many.
“We’ve corrected the discipline within the group in terms of shape, the gameplan and doing what the team needs.
“They’ve adapted to that so well to dig in and show determination and grit and we’ve shown that in abundance.
“To do the double over a team like Halesowen – there’s nothing better than beating a team with a big following and seeing them all traipse out.
“We were worthy of the three points and we could have got some more goals.
“They’ve shown character to close the gap and put us back in the play-offs.”
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.
Redditch 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.
Halesowen eventually halved the deficit on 64 minutes as Cowley rounded Tyrese Warmington and finished into an empty net from Tyrone Barnett’s knock down.
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.
And Fowler admits he took an unorthodox approach to the fixture after starting the game in a 2-7-1 formation.
Fowler added: “We started the game with a really unorthodox formation. We were really brave.
“I spoke to the players about how comfortable they were within the framework and the structure.
“And they thought it was exciting. We started the game in a 2-7-1 formation. I’ve never played that.
“I just wanted to make sure certain players were on the ball in certain areas.
“Rather than a formation, it was about having players in areas of the pitch rather than positions.”
Redditch are next in action against Kettering Town on Saturday, February 7 with kick-off at 3pm at Latimer Park.
