REDDITCH United secured a third successive victory after a 1-0 win over rivals Alvechurch.
Liam Loughan scored for the Reds in Southern League Premier Division Central while both Church’s Harley Hamilton and home manager Mike Fowler were sent off in a fiery contest on Monday night.
The first real effort fell to Redditch when Loughlan whipped in a great cross but Dexter Dudley-Toole’s header was dealt with by Church keeper Redman Evans.
Church’s Frank Tattum was then played through one-on-one but fired wide.
The visitors’ Josh Dugmore fired across goal to Tope Obadeyi but his shot flew back across goal and was eventually cleared.
Redditch keeper Tyrese Warmington attempted a pass while off his line but the ball was intercepted by Obadeyi and he tried an audacious lob from 40 yards out but his effort was wide.
Danny King was forced off just before half-time to add to an already long injury list for Redditch and was replaced by Tyler Bruck.
Just after the break Loughlan attempted a long-range effort that swerved and forced Evans into a fingertip save.
The resulting corner was whipped in and cleared back out to Loughlan who smashed it first-time into the top corner to put Redditch ahead.
A reckless sliding challenge just two minutes later on Morgan Owen resulted in Hamilton being shown a second yellow card and the visitors were down to 10 men.
There were shouts for another red card when Church skipper Krystian Pearce looked to have left an elbow on the head of Reece Flanagan but the referee only deemed the challenge worthy of a yellow card.
This caused some tension in the dugouts with Redditch coaches furious about the decision and the referee sent manager Fowler to the stands.
With the game already heated Owen and Dugmore were then both booked for being involved in a scuffle.
Loughlan and Billy Fielding both had driving efforts tipped round the woodwork by Evans late on.
Redditch host Gainsborough Trinity in the FA Trophy first round on Saturday (3pm) while Church take on Worcester City in a county derby in the same competition at Lye Meadow (3pm).
There will be a family fun day at Redditch’s Valley Stadium on Saturday from 12 noon until 5pm in aid of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
Meanwhile, the Reds have signed striker Joziah Barnett on loan from Northampton Town for one month and right-sided defender Omari Allwood from Kidderminster Harriers.
Previously, Redditch ran riot over Kettering Town as they secured a 4-0 victory over the Poppies last Saturday.
Mike Fowler’s side were looking to continue their good form this season and build on their momentum after the victory at Halesowen Town in Southern League Premier Division Central.
Danny King returned to the starting XI while Alex Cameron and Matt Warburton were both out after picking up a knock against Halesowen.
New signings Omari Allwood and Joziah Barnett were named on the bench for the game.
Within four minutes King had put Redditch into the lead after he cut inside and his effort took a deflection into the top corner over the Poppies goalkeeper Jason Alexander.
Kettering’s Wesley York was played through by Ismael Fatadjo but Tyrese Warmington produced some great goalkeeping to make himself big and deny a shot.
In the 39th minute Max Ram was forced off with an injury and replaced by Ben Richards.
Just before half-time Warmington launched a long kick to King who took it down well and squared the ball across goal to Fabian Reynolds to tap into an empty net.
After the restart Reynolds was played through in the box before finding Reece Flanagan. The skipper then took a touch and finished coolly into the bottom corner with his weaker left foot to make it 3-0 to Redditch.
Kettering substitute Callum Powell cut inside and drove forward towards goal but fired his effort well over the bar.
Warmington was involved again as he produced a great save to deny a Poppies header from close range.
Straight down the other end Aram Soleman attempted an audacious curling effort from range and nearly caught out Alexander who was off his line.
In the 79th minute the referee pointed to the spot after a Kettering player was deemed to have handled the ball in the box.
Flanagan stepped up and tucked away the spot-kick to seal a 4-0 victory for the Reds.
Alvechurch, meanwhile, went down 2-0 at St Ives Town in the league last Saturday.
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