REDDITCH United Ladies boss Gary Barrell heaped praise on his players after they crowned an impressive season with a 5-1 victory over Solihull United in the West Midlands Regional League South Cup final.
There were joyous scenes as players and management of the Division One South runners-up celebrated Sunday’s triumph at Stone Dominoes FC in Staffordshire.
Barrell said: “It was a superb team performance by the girls that led to all 16 players contributing to securing the cup and the team’s second piece of silverware for the season, adding to the FA People’s Cup West Midlands title and also runners-spot in the league.”
Redditch headed into the final as favourites, but it was never likely to be an easy task against a Solihull side who had won their last seven games on the bounce and who gave the Reds a tough match earlier this season when Redditch won 3-1.
A large pitch and excellent surface suited the Reds’ style of play and, although the strong wind caused numerous problems in the first half, the Reds battled through as co-captain Sofi Liperis put them ahead from Ellie Gerhold’s assist.
However, Solihull equalised through a superb long range free kick that sailed into the top corner.
The Reds were unfazed though and Gerhold restored their advantage when she capped a driving run on the left flank with a fine strike which the keeper did not even more for.
Redditch emerged in the second half knowing the wind was behind them and they had a strong bench to call upon.
Their confidence was evident and it became 3-1 when a fine move ended with Becky Gompertz pulling the ball back to Gerhold who feigned and rolled the centre back before finishing with a composed strike into the bottom corner.
Amy Kendall, a rock at centre back, found herself in an advanced position and drove the ball low and hard past the keeper to make it 4-1 and the scoring was completed when Liperis cut in from the right and fired home off the inside of the far post.
The Reds Ladies, for whom Lily Eustace was named opposition player of the game, will now celebrate their season on Friday, May 5 at the club.
The party begins at 7.30pm and tickets, costing £5 (under 16s free) are available from Kirsty Grigg. All welcome.
