ROMARIO Martin’s late strike earned Redditch United’s first league win in 12 matches after they beat 10-man Peterborough Sports 1-0 at the Bee Arena.
Martin netted the game’s only goal on 82 minutes when he chipped the onrushing Peterborough goalkeeper to hand the Reds their first league win since September.
The home side had Dion Sembie-Ferris sent off at the start of the second-half for two bookings and Redditch made their advantage count with a superb display that defied their league position.
Matt Clarke’s side remain in the bottom three in 19th place in the Southern League Premier Central table – one point from safety with games in-hand on the teams above them.
And despite Peterborough having lost just three of their last 17 matches – scoring an average of over three goals per game – Redditch made a bright start.
Their first opening fell to Charlie Williams who whipped an effort past the post from Martin’s lay off before the latter saw two efforts at goal both miss the target.
The Reds then almost broke the deadlock when Williams’ cross created panic in the Peterborough box only for the hosts to somehow clear their lines.
There was still time for Peterborough to create a chance of their own only for Redditch captain Ryan Wollacott to make a superb last ditch tackle to send the teams in level at the break.
And the game turned in Redditch’s favour on 46 minutes when Sembie-Ferris was shown a second yellow card as United went in search of their first league victory in almost three months.
Dan Sweeney forced Sports keeper Paul White into a save with a well-struck free-kick from 25-yards out before Martin found the side netting from a tight angle when one-on-one.
Redditch keeper Kieran Boucher then denied Dan Jarvis before setting-up Martin for the Reds winner.
Boucher’s long kick up-field was brought down by Martin who ran through and lifted the ball over the oncoming White to put Redditch into the lead with eight minutes left to play.
Clarke’s side saw out the remaining minutes to record a memorable win on the road which marked just their fourth victory in the league this season.
Redditch are next in action away at Stourport Swifts on Tuesday, December 7 in the quarter-finals of the Worcestershire Senior Cup with kick-off at 7:45pm at Walshes Meadow.
