Redditch Utd 0, Leamington 2

A goal in each half ensured Leamington wrapped up a league double over the Reds.

But Darren Byfield’s side had chances to claim something from the game, missing a penalty and sending a close-range header wide when it looked easier to score.

Leamington shaded the opening stages and home keeper Brad Catlow did well to push a Richard Taundry free-kick around the foot of the post after just four minutes.

Moments later, the ball fell to Ryan Rowe in front of goal but he was denied by a well-timed challenge from Jordan Jones.

Redditch’s best chance of the half came on 11 minutes when a strong run from Danico Johnson took him past his marker and to the byline where he dragged the ball back for Luke Shearer only for the final shot to lack the pace to trouble Tony Breeden in the visitors’ goal.

Jack Edwards tried his luck from range midway through the half but with that effort flying high over the target, the chances began to dry up for Leamington.

That was until they were gifted a goal in the 34th minute when Catlow miscued his clearance straight to Rowe who rolled the ball into the unguarded net.

The visitors doubled their lead 11 minutes after the break when some excellent footwork from Jack Edwards took him to the byline and his ball into the six-yard box cannoned off Rowe and into the net.

For the remainder of the game it was Redditch who had the better chances but failed to make them count.

James Mace’s foul on Luke Shearer on the hour saw them awarded a penalty only for Johnson’s kick to be easily saved by Breeden.

Johnson fired two more efforts weakly at the Brakes shotstopper before the Reds should have grabbed at least a consolation when David McDermott picked out Jordan Culinane-Liburd with his free-kick only for the defender to head wide from in front of goal three minutes from time..

Reds: Catlow 6, JONES 8, Brown 5, Loveridge 6 (Apostocopoulos 49, 6), Cullinane-Liburd 6, Courtney 7, Shearer 7, Hales 6 (Spink 62, 5), Johnson 6, McDermott 6 (Thompson 88), Washbourne 5. Subs (not used): Young, Roberts