Southern League Premier Central
Saturday 7th September, 2024
Harborough Town 1 (Robinson 39)
Redditch United 3 (Cranston 51, Johnston 63, Onabirekhanlen 89)
Ten-men Harborough Town lost out to Redditch United as three second half goals sealed the win for the away side.
Redditch started the stronger of the two sides and looked to gain an early advantage through Jordan Cranston and Jaiden White but neither player was able to test Elliott Taylor in the Harborough net. Taylor was then called to action, saving well with his feet to parry Johnny Johnston’s low drive but the Bees grew into the game as it wore on, culminating in Freddie Robinson’s header nestling into the bottom corner to give the hosts the lead going into the break.
The tie was turned on its head early in the second half as referee Ashley Allen gave Amar Sandhu his marching orders, before Redditch skipper Jordan Cranston curled the resulting freekick into the top corner to put his side level. Redditch would then go on to make the man advantage count soon after as Johnny Johnston met White’s low ball from the left-hand side to fire home in front of the travelling supporters. A spirited Harborough pressed to get themselves back into the game and came within inches as Connor Kennedy’s freekick whistled over the top of the bar, but it was Redditch who had the final say as the ball was diverted into the back of the net through a crowd of bodies.
MOTM: Riley O’Sullivan
Report by Cristian Bratu