REDDITCH United will aim to build on their enthralling 4-2 FA Trophy victory over Corby Town when they return to league action with a vital clash this weekend.
Ian King’s side entertain Kings Langley at the Trico seeking to end a shocking run of seven consecutive Southern Premier Central defeats which have plunged the Reds into the bottom three.
However, a win against the mid-table visitors could lift United out of the drop zone and the hosts will go into the match buoyed by a resilient – albeit topsy-turvy – victory in the Trophy first qualifying round which earned £2,450 in prize money.
Corby arrived at the Trico in superb form having made an unbeaten start to the Southern League Division One Central campaign and have since moved top of the pile following their midweek victory.
However, despite the Northamptonshire side playing their part in a superb spectacle, they were made to pay for their profligacy by a young but clearly determined Redditch team.
The Reds, who gave a debut to new winger Kurtis Revan following his switch from Stratford Town, were indebted to Romario Martin who struck twice.
Livewire winger Rhys Hilton and skipper Josh Martin also scored, but keeper Kieran Boucher was rightly named man of the match.
His vital penalty save from Elliot Sandy’s penalty straight after half-time and brilliant block from the follow-up kept Redditch in the tie after Corby had led 2-1 at the break.
King’s men had struck first on 25 minutes with a cracking finish via the far post from Hilton after Liam Truslove’s pass sent him racing into the penalty area.
However, Corby levelled through Sandy’s lob two minutes later and then James Ireland flicked home a free kick on 40 minutes.
Boucher’s heroics prevented any further goals as Corby piled on the pressure before Romario Martin collected Revan’s pass to equalise with a thumping shot on 71 minutes.
With the Reds revitalised, Josh Martin nodded home a cross from Romario Martin with ten minutes to go before the striker finished smartly from Ben McLean’s right-wing cross.
United will visit Barwell in the second qualifying round of the Trophy on Saturday, November 9, which means the league game at Bromsgrove Sporting will be rearranged.
The Reds are back in cup action on Tuesday when they host Southern Premier Central leaders Hednesford Town in the League Challenge Cup second round.
