REDDITCH United boss Darren Byfield described Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Chippenham Town as the Reds’ best performance of the season after watching his injury-hit side earn a thoroughly deserved share of the spoils.
A United side deprived of forwards Danico Johnson and Luke Shearer, midfielders Liam Spink, Max Loveridge and David McDermott and defender Clayton McDonald recovered from falling behind to Alexander Ferguson’s eighth-minute opener to level through Reece Hales’ 61st-minute penalty.
Hales also netted twice – including a thumping 20-yard strike – in Saturday’s convincing FA Trophy first qualifying round 3-1 home win over Southern Premier rivals Cambridge City.
Eli Bako opened the scoring for the Reds before Joe Carden levelled from close range against the run of play, but Hales’ first half brace sealed a deserved victory which pocketed United £2,700 in prize money and set up a second qualifying round tie at Northern Premier League Division One North outfit Ramsbottom United on November 12.
“It was a fantastic performance by the boys on Tuesday. I was absolutely thrilled with their efforts, especially considering how many key players we had to do without,” said Byfield.
“For me, it was our best performance of the season considering the injuries and the fact we were away from home at the team third in the league.
“We showed great resilience in the first half against, literally, a strong side who were a big threat from set pieces, and then in the second half I thought we gave them a footballing lesson.
“We can take tremendous confidence from that display and also from the football we played in the first half against Cambridge on Saturday.
“We looked like we could score every time we went forward on Saturday. In the second half some tiredness kicked in with some players, but we dug in and got the job done.
“It’s a welcome cup win for us because the club hasn’t had the best of times in the FA Cup and FA Trophy in recent seasons and I know the chairman will be pleased with the prize money!”
Byfield, whose eighth placed side host struggling St Neots Town on Saturday, has waved goodbye to four players from the Valley Stadium this week.
Striker Michael Taylor has returned to Stratford Town and midfielder George Washbourne has moved to Sutton Coldfield Town, whilst Trovarn Thompson and Javia Roberts will be looking for new clubs.
On the incoming front, midfielder Ahmed Ali arrived earlier in the week from Bromsgrove Sporting and impressed in his substitute appearance at Chippenham.
“I thought Ahmed was brilliant. He showed some great ability and touches and I’m delighted to have got him through the door,” added Byfield.
“It just didn’t work out for Mikey (Taylor) here. He’s a good friend of mine and I wish him well back at Stratford and also all the best to the other lads who have departed this week.
“I am hopeful of getting two or three new faces in by the end of the month and then I see that as the squad for the rest of the season more or less.”
Byfield expects to have McDonald, McDermott and Johnson available this weekend and is hopeful on Spink and Shearer, although Loveridge remains a major doubt.