LIAM McDonald described his players as ‘special’ as Redditch United sealed a fine season by lifting the Worcestershire Senior Cup.

The Reds romped to a 5-2 victory over Evesham United at Aggborough, with top scoring Jermaine Hylton bagging a brace to make it 21 goals for the season.

Omari Sterling-James, Ashley Sammons and Jamie Molyneux also hit the back of the net.

It has been an extraordinarily impressive first season in charge for manager McDonald and lieutenants Nicky Green and David Bridgewater.

The trio took over last summer and rebuilt a side with young players, many of who had been playing in the Midland Alliance.

After a shaky start, this fearless team produced a host of swash-buckling displays secured tenth place in the Calor Southern League Premier, their highest league finish for a decade which also broke the cycle of batttling relegation United had slipped into.

McDonald said: “This is a very special group of players.

“When we joined we knew we had to change the mindset at Redditch.

“The club had got used to struggling but once the players knew we had ambitious plans they wanted to succeed.

“They have shown a tremendous desire and hunger and that is fantastic.”

United’s season is over but the management and squad are set to make a short trip to Portugal later in the month to further illustrate the strong spirit of the squad.