Redditch United 2 Vauxhall Motors 0
A MUCH-CHANGED Motors line-up failed to overcome Redditch on Saturday to leave boss Andy Mutch still searching for his first away points since taking charge.
With suspensions to key players biting hard, Mutch made five changes from Motors’ previous outing and handed debuts to on-loan Rochdale keeper Lloyd Rigby and Kevin Rapley, who was signed from Barrow.
Former Chester striker Rapley was just inches away from a debut goal after being set up by Peter Heler. Mark Reed ought to have put the visitors in front on 35 minutes after bursting into the area, but he lost out to Lewis in a one-on-one.
Three minutes into the second half, United full-back Danny Edwards raced went through on the left in space and it took a smart save to his left from Rigby to keep out the shot.
From the resulting corner, central defender Liam Daley applied a glancing header at the near post to give the hosts a lead they did not merit.
Shortly after, substitute Stuart Whittaker put Rapley through but his driven shot from an angle went just over the bar.
On 59 minutes, Motors were stunned when Edwards raced through again to find the net and double Redditch’s lead.
Motors skipper Ged Brannan almost sparked a late comeback with a well-struck free kick in the last 10 minutes but Lewis again read the situation perfectly.
Mutch said: “Rapley was a bit behind the pace but he is 30 and has not played regularly. He will get better. Rigby was outstanding. He didn’t have a lot to do but what he did he did well.”
Vauxhall: Rigby, Owens (Williams 73), Dames, Hitchen, Holmes, Brannan, Heler, Griffiths, Reed, Rapley (Roberts 70), Smith (Whittaker 53). Subs: Wright, Carney.
