LEWIS Hudson’s first-half screamer proved decisive as Redditch United beat local rivals Bromsgrove Sporting to complete a first ever league double over their neighbours.
Hudson blasted home a sensational opener into the top corner before Bernard Mensah sealed the win in the second period with a clever finish in front of 1,106 spectators at the Trico Stadium.
Redditch were rarely under threat and comfortably saw out the game to complete a first ever league double over the Rouslers having won 1-0 at the Victoria Ground back in September last year.
The two teams were evenly matched in the opening exchanges before Sporting’s Brandon Smalley and Lewis Wright both fired over from distance in quick succession.
And the Reds were then forced to defend several Bromsgrove corners as Matt Clarke’s side struggled to impose themselves in the first quarter of an hour.
The home side had their first shot on goal midway through the half as Tom Hewlett glanced a header well wide of the target.
Redditch twice made last ditch interceptions to keep the scores level whilst Reds captain Byrne and Sporting’s Mo Njie were involved in an off the ball scuffle.
The hosts were finally able to test Ollie Taylor in the Sporting goal when he saved Ryan Wollacott’s header from a corner.
And the Reds took the lead against the run of play on 44 minutes when Hudson lashed the ball into the top right corner from the edge of the penalty area after he was slipped in by Mensah.
Redditch had a chance to double their lead in first half injury time only for Mensah to head wide in an offside position from Max Sheaf’s free-kick.
The Rouslers looked to respond in the second half when Kartell Dawkins’ header was cleared off the line by Harvey Gregson.
However, the Reds doubled their lead on 55 minutes when Mensah turned home Sheaf’s low ball in from the left at the near post.
The home side almost put the game to bed soon after when Sheaf was denied by Taylor before Martin Riley blazed the follow up over the crossbar.
And Redditch thought they had scored a third goal when Mensah turned home Hudson’s cross only for the strike to be ruled out for offside.
Bromsgrove searched for a way back into the game as Reds goalkeeper Adam Harrison flapped at a corner before Ammar Dyer sent a volley miles over the bar.
The Reds went straight up the other end and almost added a third goal as substitute Danny King’s shot came back off the base of the post from Kornell McDonald’s cutback.
Sporting refused to give up, as two former Redditch players combined, only for Dan Sweeney to head just over the crossbar from substitute Ryan Edmunds’ free-kick,
Redditch saw out five minutes of injury time with ease to secure their first home win against Bromsgrove since 2017.
