Redditch United 2, Arlesey 0

REDDITCH United will be sitting pretty at the top of the Southern Premier League on Christmas Day this year as another spirited display finally downed a dogged Arlesey Town, writes Lewis Cox.

And while being there counts for very little in December, Father Christmas will be wearing the red of Redditch this time around after late Simeon Maye and Jermaine Hylton strikes.

It was nearly a case of dropped points as the Bedfordshire opposition put up a spirited display, but Liam McDonald’s side were able to take full advantage on the day that first and third, Poole Town and Corby Town, also met.

Arlesey, on the upturn after a recent managerial change, started well organised and allowed the hosts no time on the ball. Kim Forsythe went close on five minutes after some good interchange, firing an effort across Sam Hornby’s goal.

Skipper Ash Sammons had Redditch’s first opening on 15 minutes, collecting a Maye ball before deciding to square when in on goal, Nick Thompson in the Arlesey goal almost spilling the pull-back into the entourage of home attackers.

Five minutes later Hylton’s attempt at upping the quality saw a nonchalant chip from the edge of the penalty area drop just wide.

Warren Plowright tested Hornby with a strike from distance before George Carline’s first-time volley from a raking Liam Spink diagonal was straight at Thompson.

The hosts should have been ahead on 38 minutes as the best opening of the half came their way. Fine running down the left channel from Hylton saw him down the giant Plowright before then rounding Thompson and squaring for Sammons and an empty net - only to be denied by an outstanding Sam Willett block.

A minute after the restart and Sammons had Thompson’s crossbar shaking with a 25-yard free-kick before Arlesey’s full-back Brett Longdow forced Hornby into his best save.

Just before the hour Hylton - with Coventry City scouts in attendance - almost broke the deadlock after escaping the Town backline, opting to round the keeper and despite being visibly clipped, still saw his effort blocked.

The breakthrough finally came with 20 minutes remaining as a high Jordan Cullinane-Liburd cross was met at the back post by Maye who looped a lovely header over Thompson.

Hylton finally settled the supporters nerves as he finished a marvellously worked goal. Sammons picked the ball up on the right before finding Hylton on the edge, the forward rolled three defenders before returning it to the skipper who set it perfectly into the path of the forward’s continuing run before finishing cooly under Thompson.

A fitting way to send the Reds top.

Redditch: Hornby 7, Jones 7, Cullinane-Liburd 8, Mutton 7, Flanagan 7, Spink 8, Carline 7, Dinsley 7 (Angus 60, 7 < Caines 90), Maye 8, SAMMONS (c) 8 (Oshungbure 79, 6), Hylton 7.

Subs not used:

Catlow, Scarr.