Southern League football: Redditch United 4 Hitchin Town 0

Cyrus Babaie spectacularly fires one of his brace for Redditch United against Hitchin Town <i>(Image: Neil Jay)</i>
Cyrus Babaie spectacularly fires one of his brace for Redditch United against Hitchin Town (Image: Neil Jay)
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REDDITCH United secured their step three status in convincing fashion with a 4-0 home win over already-relegated Hitchin Town at the Valley Stadium.

But the Reds were left to reflect on a season largely of struggle in 18th position in the 22-team table, finishing just three points above Barwell who crashed 7-1 at home to Spalding United on the final day to occupy the last relegation place.

Manager Matt Clarke was happy to see his side dismantle second-from-bottom Hitchin but a big summer is ahead if United are to return to the other end of the table after the previous year's play-off campaign.

The struggle for goals was pushed aside last Saturday in Southern League Premier Division Central with Cyrus Babaie firing Clarke's side ahead on 11 minutes to set the tone in front of 596 fans.

Ryan Boothe quickly added to the lead in the 16th minute and then eye-catching defender Dexter Dudley-Toole netted a third on 33 minutes.

Babaie put the icing on the cake with a fourth on 50 minutes as Redditch spirits were lifted.

The Reds wrapped up the season with the presentations as the player's player accolade, now the Tom Rankin Award, went to Jack Kelly.

Kyle Rowley picked up the supporters' vote in honour of Alf Kimberley while Kelly also took home the manager's prize.

Meanwhile, Alvechurch topped the Premier Division Central in terms of Worcestershire clubs with 13th place just above Bromsgrove Sporting in 14th.

Manager Tim Flowers, who had started the season as Redditch boss before leaving for Church, led his charges to a final-day 3-2 home win over relegated side Lowestoft Town.

In front of 294 fans at Lye Meadow, Shay Willock levelled in first-half injury-time after Joao Soares Rangel struck first for the visitors on 33 minutes.

Forward Kieran Wakefield fired Church ahead for the first time on 53 minutes only for Joe Duffy to level a minute later.

However, the points went to Church as Wakefield bagged the winner on 69 minutes.

Church had to replay the Stratford game which was abandoned and went down 3-1 last Thursday with Joe Willis scoring.

End-of-season awards went to loan goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead (supporters'), Krystian Pearce (players'), Willis (manager's), Ammar Dyer (chairman's) and Callum Sullivan (most improved).

Five players have already signed for next season in Wakefield, midfielders Willis, Sam Perry and Sullivan and defender Josh Dugmore.

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