Redditch United are through to the second round of the FA Trophy, after beating Gloucester City on penalties. Tyler Bruck opened the scoring in the first half, before a brace from Harry Williams and a late equaliser from Dan Sweeney saw the game go to spot kicks.
By Jack Underwood
There were two changes to the lineup from the late draw to Leamington as Tyler Bruck and Gus Mafuta came into the starting XI, in place of Harrison Hazard and the departed Aaron Bishop. Dan Sweeney also returned to the bench.
The first effort of the game fell to Bruck, who drove forwards down the right, but rolled his effort just wide of the far post.
Each side had their share of chances, however it was a very uneventful first half. That was until the 41stminute when Szhem Whyte-Hall worked the ball down the left round his man, before squaring it across goal for Bruck to finish home and give Redditch the lead.
HALF-TIME: Redditch United 1-0 Gloucester City
Shortly after the restart, Bruck seemed to be through on goal, but was tripped up by Michael O’Regan, and the defender was subsequently sent off, as Bruck was the last man.
After the sending off, the visitors, despite being down to 10 men, seemed to put the pressure on and Rory Brown was called into action with a good diving save to his left.
Gloucester broke away in numbers on the counter, and were lethal in their efforts, as Harry Williams scored two goals in the space of seven minutes, and they were ahead in the tie.
Dan Sweeney returned to the field after replacing Aram Soleman, and his return was off to a fantastic start, when the long throw came in and he held up the ball in front of goal, before turning and firing in the equaliser in the 88th minute.
The referee eventually blew for full-time to send the tie to penalties.
FULL-TIME: Redditch United 2-2 Gloucester City
Danny King, Dan Sweeney, Tyler Bruck and Harrison Hazard all scored their spot-kicks, as the visitors were wasteful with theirs, and Redditch won 4-2 on penalties.
Redditch United XI: Brown; Shambrook, Straw, Owen; Fielding, Mafuta, Bunn (C), Soleman, King; Whyte-Hall, Bruck.
Subs: Cutler, Hazard (46’), Sweeney (67’), Johnson, Beedie (83’).
Attendance: 340
