Redditch Utd 0, Poole Town 1
REDDITCH United marked Non-League Day by falling to their second consecutive defeat as Poole Town left The Valley with a narrow victory.
A buoyant 477-strong crowd saw Steve Devlin’s penalty eleven minutes from time enough to separate two of the fast-starters in this season’s Southern Premier Division.
The visitors headed into the meeting with six wins from seven and despite notable attacking absentees nearly netted in the first minute, Luke Burbidge’s volley striking both posts before falling into Sam Hornby’s grateful arms.
A manic opening ten minutes also saw the Reds go close with Jermaine Hylton firing narrowly wide from 20 yards before playing in Jamie Molyneux who should have finished better when in on Nick Hutchings’ goal.
Liam McDonald’s men were struggling to deal with Poole’s physicality during set-plays - giant defender Michael Walker went close twice, with Jordan Jones clearing off the line.
Midway through the first half and Jim Mutton went close to giving Redditch the lead, his powerful header from Ashley Sammons’ corner brilliantly kept out by Hutchings.
Jones again offered much going forward for the hosts and he saw a low drive cleared off the line by Dolphins skipper Jamie Whisken.
Added time saw the returning Dan Scarr limp off after a heavy challenge, before five minutes into the restart Hylton was forced to withdraw.
United’s Calum Flanagan was at his best on 66 minutes to again deny Burbidge on the line as the second period played out scrappily in comparison to the frenetic first 45.
The large crowd were left disappointed as with just over ten minutes remaining Mutton’s arm was adjudged to have blocked Keith Emmerson’s effort allowing Devlin to coolly beat Hornby from the spot
Reds: Hornby 7, Jones 7, Flanagan 6, Oshungbure 7 (Spink 65, 6), Mutton 7, Scarr 7 (Maye 44, 7), Sammons 6, Loveridge 7, Molyneux 6, Hylton 7 (Spencer 50, 6), CARLINE 8. Subs (not used): Reid, Catlow
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