Liam McDonald made six changes from the team which beat AFC Sudbury on Saturday - emphasising the strength and depth of our current squad. Will Grewal-Pollard came in for the injured Harvey Portman whilst Dom Lewis earned his first start for the Glassboys. Alex Prosser also returned to midfield, with Jourdain Masidi coming in out wide and both Alex Jones and Ethan Freemantle returning up top.

As we got the game underway in our Black Country colours, it was a quick start to proceedings with Grewal-Pollard’s through ball forcing Harrison to collect before Freemantle could get a shot off before Ollie Taylor collected a dangerous cross into our box.

It would take just six minutes for us to break the deadlock through ALEX BRADLEY when Freemantle was fouled just outside the area and Bradley was on hand to smash it past Harrison and fire us into an early lead.

We were standing strong defensively with Redditch United looking to attack down our flanks through Johnny Johnston and Jaiden White. Alex Cameron had a half chance inside the area but could only direct his shot straight at Taylor under heavy pressure from Joel Kettle.

Redditch would soon level things up with 18 minutes on the clock through Jordan Cranston who scored from the spot after the referee spotted a handball by Grewal-Pollard.

We were also forced into our first change soon after as Alex Jones was replaced by Miro Pais after picking up a knock.

Pais would be involved almost immediately when an excellent through ball from Freemantle found him in space out wide where he beat his man and crossed into the box but Freemantle could only head it over the crossbar.

The game became very stop-start with a number of fouls from both sides, both being spotted by the referee and those not given. We were given a free-kick after a foul on Pais which Bradley delivered into the penalty area but Jessy Bavanganga couldn’t get enough on it to cause Harrison any problems.

Bradley had another chance of his own soon after as Bavanganga’s long throw wasn’t dealt with and it fell to our midfielder but Harrison held his effort well before sending his team on their way. Jordaan Brown fouled White as they looked to counter attack but the free-kick was easy for Taylor to deal with.

White was involved again as the half time whistle approached as he forced Taylor into a good save from close range before he was able to punch away the corner that followed and we could eventually clear our lines.

Our final chance of the half came from a corner after a last ditch challenge prevented Freemantle from getting a shot off after he beat several defenders on his way into the area. From the corner, Brown, Pais and Bradley all had chances to put us into the lead before Freemantle’s effort was diverted out for another corner which nothing came from.

Half Time: Redditch United 1-1 Stourbridge FC

Redditch had the first opening of the half as White beat Grewal-Pollard and broke down our right hand side before his cross was cleared for a corner. A short corner routine followed but the shot never looked like causing Taylor any problems.

Our first chance came from a freekick after Cranston was booked for fouling Masidi just outside the area. Bradley delivered the ball into the area but Harrison was eventually able to claim it and stop Kettle heading us into the lead.

As both teams were pushing for the goal to put them in front, White beat Grewal-Pollard outside before cutting inside and Brown was on hand to make a strong tackle to stop him advancing before another freekick came our way on the edge of the area which was headed clear.

We reinstated our lead in the 72nd minute when a fantastic strike from DOM LEWIS meant our high press paid off as he buried his shot in to the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Our first double change followed the goal with Elliott Durrell and Alex Moore replacing Alex Prosser and Alex Bradley.

There was some concern soon after over Ollie Taylor who went down injured but he was, thankfully, fine to continue and was called into action soon after to claim a dangerous cross into our crowded penalty area.

Our second double change came just after when Toumani Sidibe and Aaron Forde came on in place of Ethan Freemantle and our man of the match Dom Lewis.

We’d make it three through TOUMANI SIDIBE with just two minutes left of normal time when his relentless press paid off and he won the ball off Cranston before going one v one against Harrison and finishing well to seal our three points.

Full Time: Redditch United 1-3 Stourbridge

Redditch United: 1. Adam Harrison 16. Harry Leeson 5. Max Ram 17. Jordan Cranston © 2. Brad Burton 12. Max Martin 19. Musa Ceesay 9. Alex Cameron 7. Jonny Johnston 4. Reuben Wyatt 11. Jaiden White. Subs: 3. George Atwal 10. Ross Evans 14. Kartell Dawkins 18. Calum Flanagan 20. Marvellous Onabirkhalen

Stourbridge FC: 1. Ollie Taylor 2. Jessy Bavanganga 3. Will Grewal-Pollard 4. Alex Prosser 5. Jordaan Brown 6. Joel Kettle 7. Dom Lewis 9. Ethan Freemantle 10. Alex Bradley 12. Jourdain Masidi 14. Alex Jones ©. Subs: 8. Alex Moore 11. Miro Pais 17. Elliott Durrell 19. Toumani Sidibe 20. Aaron Forde