Redditch United 5, Trafford 2

REDDITCH have shown many qualities during this hugely encouraging season but Saturday’s FA Trophy progress was all about the basics.

Being prepared to battle determined and feisty opponents who picked up four yellow cards and one red; keeping their composure; sticking to their passing principles and ruthlessly taking their chances to score five goals or more for the fifth time this season.

The Reds, in truth, had started sloppily and Trafford leading scorer Shelton Payne punished a poor backpass to give the visitors a fifth-minute lead.

But the turning point came when the Manchester visitors had winger Clevon Beadle sent off for a late diving lunge at Leavi Oshungbure which left the Reds skipper having treatment.

Liam McDonald’s side seized their opportunity, and, prompted by the excellent Ashley Sammons and Jermaine Hylton, cranked up the pressure. A tally of 16 efforts on goal highlighted the point.

It took 43 minutes to equalise, however. Dior Angus’ trickery down the left took him into the heart of the penalty area and Hylton steered home his pull-back from six yards.

Two Sammons’ free-kicks enabled the Reds to open a 3-1 lead by 66 minutes, with Simeon Maye slotting home the first at the far post from a left-wing delivery and then Jim Mutton meeting a deep right-wing free-kick with a thumping header.

Evo-Stik Northern Premier strugglers Trafford, however, were not done.

Payne smashed home a wonderful 20-yarder into the top corner to pull a goal back with ten minutes to play and suddenly they sensed a comeback.

But the Reds have proved this season they have goals aplenty in the side.

Substitute Jamie Spencer settled any nerves with a fourth on 88 minutes, guiding home expertly after Hylton escaped down the left and into injury time Sammons got his reward to net his 16th goal of the season with another smart finish.

REDDITCH: Hornby 6; Jones 7, Mutton 6, Scarr 7, Culinane-Liburd (Flanagan 50) 6; Angus 6, Maye 7 (Emindglu 75), Oshungbure 7, Carline 6 (Spencer 65); Sammons 8; Hylton 7. Subs: Loveridge, Catlow