Bideford 0, Redditch Utd 5

REDDITCH United strengthened their grip on an Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division play-off spot with a dominant 5-0 win at rock-bottom Bideford.

Goals from Jim Mutton, a Dan Harrison own goal, Ashley Sammons and two from star man Luke Shearer extended their fine recent run of five wins in their last six games.

In the first half, which started and ended with the Reds on the front foot, Robbie Thompson-Brown was the main source of danger as his early effort was kept out by Kyle Moore before he played in Shearer whose shot was well held.

The deadlock was broken after 25 minutes and came through an unlikely source when Will Richards’ header from a Sammons corner was saved by Moore only for Mutton to react first and nod home.

Jose Veiga was largely untroubled throughout but, with the scores at 0-0, he made himself big and kept out Matt Andrew’s effort when the Bideford man ran through.

After a slow start to the second period, Redditch turned on the style with three goals in six minutes to put the game to bed.

Firstly, Sammons’ chip was headed against the back of Harrison by Matt Bye and in. Shearer then rounded Moore to tap home and the striker then turned provider for Sammons to power a header home.

Danger man Shearer then won – and confidently scored – an 88th-minute penalty when he was brought down by Ian Sampson to rub salt in the Bideford wounds.

Bideford: Moore, Sampson, Barker, Wilson (Chamberlain 66), McGrath (Harrison 36), Odufin, Bye, Groves, Squire (Reed 72), Tucker, Andrew. Subs not used: Barker, J Johnson Reds: Veiga 7, Cullinane-Liburd 6, Flannaghan 7, Loveridge 7 (Bridgewater 72), Mutton 8, Richards 7, Thompson-Brown 8 (D Johnson 72), Osborne 7 (Hallahan 45, 6), SHEARER 9, Sammons 8, Carline 6. Sub not used: Molyneux