Redditch United confirmed their place in the Third Qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup, as they ran out 3-0 winners over Worcestershire rivals Evesham United.
There were two changes to the lineup from the defeat to Real Bedford, as Aram Soleman returned from suspension to replace an injured Robbie Bunn, while Harrison Hazard replaced Jeval Thompson-McKenzie. Aaron Bishop and Jenson Sumnall also returned to the bench following their injuries.
Szhem Whyte-Hall would give us an early lead, in the 13th minute, when Jack Willow’s cross was headed in by the man in-form.
The goalscorer then put in a dangerous cross on the byline, which was headed goalwards, but palmed off the line by Oscar Varney in the Evesham net.
Redditch dominated the game and were the most threatening of the two sides for the majority of the first half.
In the 42nd minute, our lead was doubled after Alex Foreshaw poached in the box to tap home a deflected freekick from Willow.
Harrison Hazard was close to a world-class free-kick from 40 yards out, but Varney tipped it away off the line, before Billy Fielding then had an effort saved at point blank range.
A minute later, Jack Willow would grab his second assist of the game as his corner was headed into the side netting by Danny King at the near post to make it 3-0 to Redditch going into the break.
Just after the restart, King came close to a fourth, but his effort was just over the bar, before Willow’s freekick from wide was punched off the line by Varney.
The visitors would have their first major chances as a header flew just over, then Kai Churchley dragged an effort wide.
Billy Fielding’s superb display could have been topped off with a goal when he struck from inside the box, but the Evesham goalkeeper cleared it off the line with his left foot.
Jeval Thompson-McKenzie and Aaron Bishop both had chances to get on the scoresheet at the end, but unfortunately were denied by some good defending, and eventually the referee blew for full-time to send Redditch United into the FA Cup third qualifying round.
Redditch United XI: R. Brown; King, Shambrook, Foreshaw, Owen, Hazard; Soleman, Willow, Fielding; Whyte-Hall, Bruck.
Subs: Bishop (64’), Thompson-McKenzie, Murchison, Johnson, Knowles, O. Brown, Sumnall (64’).
Attendance: 609
