Redditch United 0, Worcester City 0
Worcester won 5-4 on pens
It needed a brilliant penalty save from Worcester’s on loan goalkeeper Ryan Boot to end Redditch’s run in the Worcestershire Senior Cup and take City through to a final against Kidderminster Harriers.
There had been little to cheer during a game bereft of decent chances until things livened up in the final ten minutes following the dismissal of United defender Joel Caines for two bookings.
The home side had created a number of half chances but striker Luke Shearer scuffed one effort and blazed another high over the target.
For City, Sean Geddes forced keeper Brad Catlow into a fine full-length save.
But it was ten-man Reds who nearly snatched a last gasp winner when Leigh Phillips and Courtney Baker-Richardson broke upfield but the former’s cross was just too high for the unmarked George Carline.
The semi-final went straight to penalties and there was a dramatic start to the shoot-out when former Reds midfielder Geddes missed City’s opening kick.
But it was all square three kicks later when Baker-Richardson’s effort was saved by keeper Boot, on loan from Port Vale.
And it was the City shot-stopper who then took centre stage when the shootout went to sudden death.
His calm kick edged the visitors into a 5-4 lead and he backed that up with an excellent save to keep out Calum Flanagan’s vital kick to take the Conference North side through.
Reds: Catlow 7, Jones 7, Caines 5, Loveridge 7 (Cullinane-Liburd 81), Mutton 6 (Scarr 78), Flanagan 6, Maye 6, Spink 7, Baker-Richardson 6, Shearer 6 (Phillips 84), CARLINE 8. Subs (not used): Angus, Hornby
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