Sweeney sinks Racing Club Warwick to complete Redditch United fightback

The Racers made a bright start and went ahead inside the opening quarter of an hour, but the visitors responded before the break and completed their comeback in the second half.

Warwick continued to push for an equaliser, with several late opportunities going begging during an extended period of stoppage time.

Warwick started positively and almost found themselves ahead inside the opening minute, with an early effort flashing narrowly wide of the post.

The hosts continued to threaten and created another opportunity in the 11th minute.

A ball pulled back into the area found Miro Pais, whose effort was well saved at the near post by Redditch goalkeeper Rory Brown.

However, Warwick did not have to wait long for the breakthrough.

From the resulting corner in the 12th minute, Hamp rose at the back post to power a header into the net, giving the Racers a deserved early advantage.

The goal rewarded Warwick's positive opening, but Redditch gradually worked their way back into the contest.

The visitors found their equaliser in the 31st minute through Szhem Whyte-Hall, bringing the scores level.

The second half saw both sides looking to take control of a closely contested encounter.

The Racers came agonisingly close to regaining the lead on 54 minutes.

A throw-in found Rhys Hilton, who managed to get a shot away, only to see his effort strike the post and stay out.

The match was then interrupted by a concerning incident following a corner into the penalty area.

Hamp and a Redditch player both challenged for a header and suffered a clash of heads, resulting in a lengthy stoppage while both players received medical treatment.

Neither player was able to continue, with Hamp replaced by Cameron Ebbutt in the 73rd minute and Stan Straw also forced off for the visitors, replaced by Sam Beedie.

Following the restart, Redditch managed to find the decisive breakthrough.

In the 81st minute, a cross into the Warwick penalty area was met by substitute Dan Sweeney, who tapped home from close range.

Warwick responded by pushing forward in search of an equaliser.

An opportunity from a free-kick in the closing stages saw the ball lifted over the crossbar, while Redditch threatened at the other end when a player drove forward and unleashed an effort that was well saved by Tom Allsopp.

With the earlier injury stoppage contributing to a lengthy period of added time, Warwick continued to press.

Adam Walker came close with an effort that drifted narrowly wide of the post as the Racers looked to salvage something from the contest.

There was still time for another opportunity deep into stoppage time.

A cross into the area was pulled back by Nile Timson, who found space to get a shot away, but his effort flew over the crossbar.

Despite their late pressure, Warwick were unable to find a second goal.

RACERS: Allsopp, Hill, Worley, Walker, Barnett, Timson, Hilton, Hancocks, Hamp (Ebbutt 73), Pais (Opoku 53), Williams (Collins 58). SUBS NOT USED: Cooney, Baker.

ATTENDANCE: 427.