Matty’s keeping it real for Reds

Warburton is unlikely cup hero

By David Lawrence

LOVELY GLOVELY: Matty Warburton enjoyed his new role for Redditch United

PICTURE: Richard King

‘Bizarre’ but ‘brilliant’ was how Redditch United midfielder Matty Warburton summed up his debut as a stand-in goalkeeper.

It was performance that included two penalty saves to take Redditch through to the quarter-finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup.

And what’s more, he did it at one of his former clubs, Solihull Moors.

The drama began as early as the third minute when Jack Loughran gave the Southern League Premier Central side an unlikely lead.

A few moments later, Redditch keeper Ty Warmington was sent off after taking down Solihull striker Brad Stevenson which saw Warburton don the gloves – and promptly fish the ball out of the net after Stevenson had levelled from the spot.

Fresh legs

The rest of the evening saw United’s makeshift keeper and his defence deny their National League opponents a winner with Warburton pulling off a spectacular diving save to deny Stevenson before going on to make two more saves in the penalty shootout as the Reds booked a last eight tie with West Bromwich Albion.

Warburton said: “I’ve played something like 550 games and not once have I ended up in the sticks. But you know what, when Ty went off I thought that I’m just back from injury and they don’t need an old lad in there running around, they need fresh legs. So I thought I’d go in and see how it went.

Laughing

“It didn’t get off to the best start with the pen but I loved it. I found myself laughing through it. There was no pressure, I wasn’t expected to make saves. It was just an unbelievable night and a great one for the football club to come to Step 1 opposition – who put out a good side – and come away with a win with ten men. It’s bizarre but brilliant.

“I know their manager Chris (Millington) really well from my time at Halifax and have so much respect for him as I do for a lot of people here at Solihull. I loved my time at the club and never anticipated that this would be how I’d make my return!”

And the 33-year-old joked that with Warmington now facing a one-match ban, he wouldn’t rule out a repeat performance.

“If it extends my career then I’ll take it! Ty has a job on his hands to get back in – he makes it look difficult and it’s very easy!”