Leamington 2, Redditch United 1

Redditch failed to make the most of a dream start as two second half set-pieces handed Leamington the spoils in this derby match.

And it was no more than the home side deserved after dominating a second period in which the Reds failed to test Brakes keeper Tony Breeden.

Manager Darren Byfield included himself in the starting line-up for the first time this season with midfield pair Eli Bako and Reece Hales also being recalled as the side looked to bounce back from Saturday’s dismal showing against Slough Town.

And they responded in the best possible way when, with just two minutes on the clock, the excellent Liam Spink crossed from the right and Danico Johnson headed into the bottom right-hand corner.

A well-drilled defence then succeeded in keeper Leamington out of range for the remainder of the half apart from a Jack Edwards header on 29 minutes that keeper Brad Catlow gathered with ease.

Four minutes before the break the Reds should have doubled their lead when Bako sent Johnson clear but the striker only managed to fire his shot straight at the grateful Breeden.

That was to be as close as Byfield’s side was to get as the second half belonged to Leamington.

Robbie Thompson-Brown fired an effort wide from distance before the home side levelled on 64 minutes. Ryan Rowe met a corner only for his header to be saved by Catlow. But the ball ballooned up into the air and Rowe reacted quickest to force it over the line.

Catlow then managed to scoop a Richard Taundry effort around the post and the keeper also did well to keep out a Jamie Hood effort from another corner ten minutes from time.

But set-pieces were to prove Redditch’s undoing and after Catlow had managed to scramble a Connor Gudger effort away for another corner, this time the flag kick found Hood who bundled it home from close range with just eight minutes to go.

Byfield, now back on the bench after being replaced by Javia Roberts early in the second period, sent central defender Clayton McDonald up front as a makeshift striker but it was to no avail as Leamington saw out the game to maintain their decent start to the season.

Reds: Catlow 6, Jones 6, Kelly 6, Bako 6, McDonald 7, Courtney 7, SPINK 8, Apostocopoulos 6, Johnson 7 (Taylor 84), Byfield 6 (Roberts 52, 5), Hales 6 (McDermott 68, 6). Subs (not used): Luckie, Young