Redditch United 0, Kidderminster Harriers 0

Harriers win penalties 4-2 to lift Worcestershire Senior Cup

HARRIERS lifted the Worcestershire Senior Cup after holding their nerve to edge out Redditch United on penalties.

The game at the Victoria Ground had been fairly even, with both sides hitting the woodwork in the first half.

Harriers had seen two goals ruled put for offside but it was keeper Jono Brown who rose to the occasion, saving two penalties.

Redditch made two changes from the side that defeated Worcester in the semi-finals, handing starts to former Republic of Ireland Clinton Morrison and Danico Johnson.

Despite having a high profile friendly against Doncaster cancelled at the last minute, Harriers boss John Eustace Keith faith with the youngster and trialists who helped defeat Stourbridge and Evesham in previous rounds.

Harriers had started well and had the ball in the back of the net in the ninth minute but a trialist was ruled out for offside.

United's swash-buckling full back Javia Roberts then tested keeper Jono Brown with a deflected effort which he had to tip over.

Former Harriers defender Duane Courtney also saw a fierce drive saved by the Kiddy keeper.

United shot-stopper Bradley Catlow also demonstrated admirable reflexes when he tipped a low curling effort from James Hancocks wide in the 23rd minute The Harriers left back was undeterred and tried another firm drive on the half hour mark but once again Catlow was equal to it.

Both sides were denied by the woodwork late in the half.

First, a lively Harriers Trialist won the ball off Clayton McDonald and beat Catlow with a deft chip only for his effort to hit the bar.

United suffered woodwork frustration in the 43rd minute when Eli Bako raced onto Morrison's clever pass but his effort struck the post.

The second half started slowly with the first half coming in the 62nd minute when Brown denied substitute Reece Hales.

Harriers saw another effort chalked off for offside in the 68th minute when their trialists combined to great effect but the one wearing number seven on his shirt was judged to have interfered with play.

United continued to look dangerous and Jordan Jones delivered a fine cross in the 74th minute which an unmarked Reece Hewitt volleyed athletically over the bar.

As the game edged towards penalties, United came close to breaking the deadlock in the 88th minute when his free-kick fizzed past the post.

Redditch thought they had claim for a penalty in the 90th minute when Hales was barged over by a trialist in Kiddy's defence but the referee ignored their pleas.

But in a tense shout out, Jamie Spencer and Liam Spink saw their penalties saved by Brown as Jordan Murphy tucked away the winning penalty as Harriers triumphed 4-2.

Redditch: Catlow, Jones, Roberts, Courtney, McDonald, Young, Morrison, Loveridge (Spink, 63), Johnson (Spencer, 80), Bako (Hales, 54), Hewitt.

Subs not used: Cowley, Sall, Jabbi, Dudley.

Harriers: Brown, Smith, Hancocks, Clarke, Trialist, Tunnicliffe (Dieseruvwe, 59), Trialist (Jacobs, 79), Forysth, Taylor, Trialist, Murphy.

Subs not used: Palmer, Millinchamp, Thomas.

Referee: Ravel Cheosiaua