REDDITCH United booked their place in the next round of the FA Trophy with a 3-1 win against AFC Totton thanks to goals from Bernard Mensah, Danny King and Reece Flanagan.
The Reds were two goals ahead at the break courtesy of strikes from Mensah and King before Flanagan’s late penalty settled the tie at the Trico Stadium.
Redditch have been drawn away at National League South side Chelmsford City in the second round with the tie to be played on Saturday, November 19 with kick-off at 3pm at Melbourne Stadium.
The Reds survived an early scare when Kieran Boucher raced off his line and beat Jireh Oyebamij to a loose ball, however, the two players collided with Oyebamij coming off worse as the Totton man limped off following lengthy treatment.
Matt Clarke’s side dominated first-half proceedings and went close to an opener when Max Sheaf skipped past several Totton defenders before his tame effort was saved.
However, the Reds eventually took the lead when Mensah rose highest and planted a header into the net from Flanagan’s corner.
Totton responded with chances of their own as Ethan Taylor had a shot saved by Boucher before Jordan Ragguette’s low cross was deflected into the side netting.
Redditch doubled their lead against the run of play on the stroke of half time when Lewis Hudson drove down the left and delivered a low cross that was prodded home by King at the near post.
The visitors reduced the deficit early in the second period when Robbie Bunn conceded a penalty and Scott Rendell converted the resulting spot kick into the bottom right corner.
Despite plenty of pressure from Totton, Redditch regained control as Sheaf curled a free-kick inches past the top-left corner before another Sheaf effort deflected narrowly wide of the post.
Totton enjoyed their best spell of the game in the final quarter of an hour as Taylor’s powerful effort was palmed over the bar by Boucher before a header was flicked onto the crossbar in the final five minutes.
However, Redditch soaked up the pressure and won a penalty late on when Mensah was fouled in the area and Flanagan stepped up to put the ball into the bottom right corner despite Totton goalkeeper Lewis Noice getting a hand to the shot.
Redditch are next in action away at Tamworth on Saturday, November 5 with kick-off at 2pm at the Lamb Ground.
