Redditch United 0, Stratford Town 2

Redditch slumped to a second successive defeat as neighbours Stratford took the Boxing Day spoils ensuring it was a disappointing start for new boss Tim Harris.

A first half brace from Ben Stephens was enough to hand the bragging rights to the visitors although they were helped by some sloppy defending and a mistake by the keeper.

Livewire Stephens went close to opening the scoring on the half-hour with a dipping free-kick that bounced off the top of the Redditch crossbar.

Just four minutes later he found the back of the net. An excellent tackle from James Fry won possession and he threaded a pass to Stephens who, totally unmarked, was able to place his shot beyond Ethan Ross in the Reds goal.

On 39 minutes, Ashley Sammons had a shot deflected for a corner following good work from Tristian Dunkley but the home side fell further behind in first half injury time.

Stephens was again on target, this time with a 30-yard free-kick that appeared to bounce off keeper Ross before spinning into the empty net.

Redditch’s best chance of the game came two minutes into the second half when Dunkley created space for the shot with some delightful footwork only to be denied by a brilliant one-handed save from visiting keeper Louis Connor.

Stephens almost completed his hat-trick midway through the half when a free-kick had to be pushed over the bar by Ross but the visitors had done enough to claim the spoils even though they had to play out the final six minutes with ten men after striker Mike Taylor was sent off after picking up two bookings.

Reds: Ross 5, Rosser 5, Fox 6, Jackman 7, Simpson 4, PENDLEY 7, Wright 5 (Stares 46, 6), Sammons 7 Angus 5 (Apostolopoulos 65, 5), Dunkley 7 (Belmonte 73), Weir-Daley 7. Subs (not used): Hussain, Cole.