Redditch Utd 0, Hungerford Tn 2

A brace of first half goals, including a fine 25-yard volley, ended the Reds’ nine match unbeaten run And despite having the bulk of the possession, particularly after the break, it was a game United never looked like winning.

Some slick early passing from the home side came to nothing and it was Hungerford who opened the scoring with their first foray into the Redditch area on 11 minutes. A Matt Collins corner was headed on by James Rusby and Mark Draycott was unchallenged as he volleyed home at the far post.

The Reds almost levelled within a minute, Simeon Maye firing just wide after a run down the left from Jermaine Hylton.

But against one of the meanest defences in the league, and without midfield playmakers Ashley Sammons and Calvin Dinsley, chances were few and far between for Liam McDonald’s men.

To make matters worse, the visitors doubled their lead nine minutes before the break with a gem of a goal, Lee Smith crashing a 25-yard volley into the top left-hand corner of Sam Hornby’s goal.

Liam Spink did put an effort wide of the Hungerford target on the stroke of half-time and there was another effort from skipper Leavi Oshungbure early in the second half which Town keeper Paul Strudley gathered at the foot of the post.

Reds striker Jamie Spencer joined the fray from the bench in the second half but it was the Berkshire side who went closest to adding to the scoreline on the hour when defender Jon Boardman lost his marker at a corner only to direct his header straight at Hornby.

Reds: Hornby 6, JONES 8, Flanagan 6, Oshungbure 6, Mutton 6, Scarr 6 (Liburd 57, 6), Angus 7, Spink 6 (Spencer 46, 6), Hylton 7, Maye 6 (Caines 74), Carline 7. Subs (not used): Bridgwater, Catlow.