LIAM McDonald believes a testing set of October fixtures could define their season in the Southern League Premier.

United face a host of sides with hopes of winning promotion.

They suffered a second league defeat in a row when they lost 3-0 at Chesham on Tuesday night.

But they welcome Weymouth to the Valley Stadium on Saturday (3pm ko).

United go to Hitchin on October 17 and then entertain Slough two days later. They complete the month’s fixtures at home to Dorchester on October 24 and go to Leamington three days later.

Redditch have made a solid start to the season with five wins, two defeats and four draws to put them just outside the play-off spots.

McDonald said: “I have been very happy with the way we have started the season.

“When you look at the defeats to Cirencester and Poole, they have both topped the table at some stage.

“But we have a very tough set of games coming up this month and I think they will give us a good idea of where we’ll be.”

Redditch suffered just their second defeat of the season on Saturday when they were shot down 2-1 by Poole in Dorset.

The home side had taken a 2-0 lead but George Carline had headed home a lifeline, while Jim Mutton also came close late on.

McDonald said: “It was a very good performance by the lads.

“Poole are a very strong side and we could have easily got something from the match, even their manager felt we’ll be in the shake-up at the end of the season.”

United have loaned keeper Josh Moreton to Bromsgrove Sporting.

Moreton played in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Dudley Sports in the FA Vase and he is cover for Chris Jay, who is recovering from a broken thumb in his hand.

Meanwhile, the club and Hednesford Town are set to meet at an FA tribunal at the end of the month to decide a fee for midfielder Jamey Osborne.

Redditch pulled off a coup in the summer by capturing the highly-rated midfielder. But under the Bosman Ruling, the Pitmen are eligible for compensation.