TIM Flowers insists the FA Cup is high on Redditch United’s priority list following a 3-2 win against 10-man Halesowen Town in First Round Qualifying.
A brace from Jaiden White turned the game in Redditch’s favour before Johnny Johnston extended the home side’s lead in the second half at the Valley Stadium.
The Reds are in the hat for the Second Round Qualifying draw which takes place at 1pm on Monday, September 2.
Flowers said: “The bottom line is, I thought we were the better team, I’m delighted we’re through.
“The draw was as tough as we could have got but the all I want us to do is to play like we did in the second half.
“The FA Cup should be a massive priority for everyone at our level, it’s high on our priority list, it makes a huge difference to a football club.
“It was like a morgue in our dressing room at half time, you could hear a pin drop, I didn’t get it, it was a weird atmosphere.
“I said ‘you need to make something happen and get some fire in your bellies’ people at our level tear their heart out to get into the next round of the FA Cup.
“We still look a little bit flaky at times and I don’t like it, I hate the goal we conceded right at the end, it really bugs me.
“Harborough are very big and very strong, I’m expecting a really tough game, when you’ve got a small squad it really tests you.
“It’s been a tough start which is what I really appreciate and respect what the lads have done.”
Halesowen broke the deadlock two minutes before half time as Kieren Donnelly headed into an empty net after a high ball bounced over Redditch’s debutant goalkeeper Dale Eve.
However, the Reds equalised three minutes after half time as White took the ball past Halesowen goalkeeper Dan Platt before finding the net from Johnston’s pass following a quick counter attack.
And Redditch completed the turnaround on 51 minutes after breaking from another Halesowen corner as Johnston’s played a reverse pass into White who showed superb composure to sit Platt down before finishing into the bottom right corner.
The home side extended their lead on 67 minutes when Johnston headed in Jordan Cranston’s corner from the right at the back post.
And Halesowen had Adi Yussuf sent off with eight minutes left to play after he tangled with Max Ram off the ball.
Despite their numerical disadvantage the Yeltz scored a consolation goal deep into injury time when Donnelly bundled the ball home as the Reds held on to reach the next round.
Redditch are next in action against Harborough Town on Saturday, September 7 with kick-off at 3pm at the Bee Hive.
