Redditch United 3-0 Alfreton Town

Gary Whild was delighted by the response of his young squad

Redditch United confounded the pundits by beating highly-fancied Alfreton Town 3-0 at Valley Stadium.

Reds manager Gary Whild said his side had been good value for their second straight Blue Square North victory.

"We did well today and the lads deserved the win and it could probably have been by another goal," he told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

"I was looking for a reaction from the players and I have certainly got that in the last two games."

The Reds brought in centre-half Tom Birch for his debut and he made a positive impression as he slotted into a back four with whom he has not yet had the chance to train.

We have managed to finish half-way or just below in each of the last two seasons and that is a miracle

Redditch manager Gary Whild

Redditch took a first-half lead through Jamie Oliver who rounded off a set-piece move and they then doubled their lead seven minutes after the break when David Bridgewater converted a penalty.

Alfreton then had to chase the game but they were caught out by a Reds counter-attack with 18 minutes remaining when the hard-working Gary Hay netted the home side's third.

Prior to the game much had been made of the financial gulf between Alfreton and a Redditch side that has to rely on finding good young players from the lower leagues.

Whild says his players deserve extra praise for the way in which they had risen to the occasion and proved that team spirit will take a side a long way.

"In terms of money this was a massive mismatch," he said. "All we are is hard-working and honest.

"I say to the lads each week that if they give their all and we're are organised, then fair enough.

"We've got some good young lads who are looking to progress and play at this level and higher."

Prior to the season most pundits were tipping Redditch for relegation, but Whild said their recent record at Blue Square North stacks up well and there is no reason why they should not build on that this season.

"We have managed to finish half-way or just below in each of the last two seasons and that is a miracle," he said.

"The good thing now is that you talk to some of the opposition managers and they do understand what a fantastic fist we make of it here at Redditch."