Coventry Sphinx 0, Redditch United 7

IT may have been against a team from two divisions below and it may have been in the Birmingham Senior Cup – but this seven-goal romp was just what the doctor ordered following a miserable week for Redditch.

An FA Cup exit in midweek and a four-goal trouncing at the weekend which also saw a double sending off had given Reds manager Liam McDonald a severe case of the Blues. Add to that a growing list of injuries and a special pick-me-up was called for.

And his players delivered in style, handing him the perfect remedy. An inspired Ashley Sammons netted four of the goals to take the scoring honours while his midfield partners Liam Spink and Simeon Maye were excellent throughout. There was even a dazzling debut display from young defender Jordan Cullinane-Liburd who made a seemless transition form neighbours Alvechurch.

Maye was denied by an excellent save from Sphinx keeper Tommy Hindmarsh on 24 minutes but when the home defence failed to clear, Sammons tucked away his first of the night.

Another fine double save following a goalmouth scramble soon after stopped the Reds from adding to their tally only for Sammons to curl a free-kick into the top right-hand corner to double the lead four minutes before the break.

Best chance of the half for the MFL side came moments before the break when skipper Ashley Jackson shrugged off a number of defender only to be thwarted by a decent stop from United keeper Brad Catlow.

Hindmarsh was doing his utmost to keep Sphinx in the game, two further saves from Sammons keeping the tally down, But three goals in seven minites finally broke their resolve. Maye headed home unchallenged after connecting with an inch-perfect Sammons pass, Jamie Spencer made it 4-0 with a good powerful solo effort before Sammons completed his hat-trick by rounding the keeper after nipping on to a Spencer flick on.

Gio Dainty twice rattled the Redditch woodwork but the goals continued to come at the other end with Sammons setting up Spink for the sixth before star man Sammons capped a fine display with the final goal eight minutes from time, Maye the provider.

Reds: Catlow 7, Cullinane-Liburd 8, Flanagan 7 (Jones 71), Loveridge 6 (Bridgwater 71), Scarr 6, Mutton 6, Maye 8, Spink 8, Spencer 6, SAMMONS 8, Carline 6 (Fullerton 64, 6). Sub (not used): Recci.