Penalty heartbreak for Redditch as promotion dream dashed

Leamington win 3-1 on penalties

REDDITCH United's promotion dream came to an end as experienced Leamington won on penalties during a tense night in Worcestershire.

United had taken the lead in the first half through Ashley Sammons and looked on course to weather heavy pressure to book their place in the play-off final next Monday.

But Brakes sub Courtney Baker-Richardson bagged a 94th minute leveller to force extra time.

After a cagey 30 minutes, Leamington keeper Tony Breeden was the decisive factor as he saved two penalties and also scored one for the visitors from Warwickshire.

Defeat was hard to take for United, who had finished second in the Southern League Premier.

United had made a bright start to the match and tested keeper Tony Breeden as early as the third minute when Sam Merson's long range effort was punched away by the shot-stopper.

The hosts applied a lot of pressure, with Merson's throw-ins their chief weapon.

Slowly but surely Leamington worked their way into the game but did not really test Reds custodian Jose Veiga.

The away side's best chance fell to former Kidderminster Harriers midfielder Callum Gittings, who directed an overhead kick over the bar.

But United continued to keep the pressure on Leamington and it paid off in the 35th minute.

Merson's throw-in was repelled on the left but he lashed the ball back into the danger area and Sammons smashed a shot from the edge of the box into the roof of the net.

The away side pushed for a leveller late in the half but the closest they was when Veiga missed a long range free-kick from opposite number Breeden luckily the ball flew wide.

Once again the hosts made a lively start to the second half and Sammons directed a 20- yard effort wide in the 47th minute.

Leamington nearly pounced on mistakes by Will Richards and Callum Flanagan on the hour mark as Sam Austin won a corner.

Richard Taundry's delivery fell to James Mace in Redditch's box but the his cleared the danger.

Former Redditch striker Dan Dubidat was booked in the 63rd minute for a challenge on Callum Flanagan.

The home side took off Erik Bako and brought on speedy forward Luke Shearer in the 64th minute.

The match remained close but Leamington live wire Austin saw his 70th minute shot rise over the bar.

But efforts in goal remained at a premium in a game between two well-organised teams.

In the final ten minutes Redditch were pushed back and tried to hit Leamington on the break.

They had a let-off in the 82nd minute when a corner fell to substitute Baker-Richardson, who fired over the bar at the far post.

In the 87th minute, George Carline saw his low drive saved by Breeden.

But Leamington forced extra-time in the 94th minute when Baker-Richardson forced the ball over the line from a corner.

The sub was also booked for taking his shirt off while celebrating his leveller.

Leamington took control in extra-time and Jack Edwards shot wastefully over the bar after the hosts were carved open by Ben Mackey.

Both sides looked tired after their exertions but Sammons cut in from the right wing in the 111th minute and drove wide.

Veiga then kept out a firm effort from Leamington sub Rob Ogleby in the 113th minute.

Edwards then rose well to meet an Austin corner but headed over the bar.

Redditch's industrious midfielder Maye scuffed an 20-yard effort wide.

Veiga kept the scores level in the 118th minute when he made a point blank effort to deny Ogleby.

But after 120 incredibly tight minutes the game went into the lottery of a penalty shoot out.

But Breeden denied Sammons and Luke Shearer from the spot before scoring Leamington's third penalty.

Taundry tucked away Leamington's next penalty before George Carline fired over the bar to seal United's defeat on a dramatic night at the Valley Stadium.

Redditch: Veiga, Cullinane-Liburd, Flanagan, Richards, Maye, Mutton, Thompson-Brown (Cowley, 101), Bako (Shearer, 64), Sammons, Carline, Merson.

Subs not used: Young, Moreton, Johnson.

Leamington: Breeden, Taundry, Gudger, Halsall (Mackey, 64), Hood, Mace, Moore (Ogleby, 78), Gittings, Dubidat (Baker-Richardson, 64), Edwards, Austin.

Subs not used: George, Elvins.

Referee: David Middleton.

Attendance: 1303