Redditch United 3, Solihull Moors 1

A first half double from George Carline and a rasping volley from Troy Baker steered Redditch to victory over their National League North visitors.

And with a number of players set to come back into the fold after missing out due to holiday and work commitments, things are looking good for the Valley Stadium side.

The Moors also fielded a side against Oxford City but this was no second string on display in Redditch – the likes of midfield pair Jack Byrne and James Armison were playing Conference football last season and will be expecting a place in the starting line-up when Solihull start their campaign at home to AFC Fylde on Saturday.

But they were second best for long periods of this game, only briefly coming to life in the final stages after Michelle Gueyes had netted a consolation on 77 minutes. But even those hopes were soon thwarted as Baker rounded off the scoring four minutes from time.

Carline’s opener came on 30 minutes, a neat header into the bottom right-hand corner from Baker’s corner kick.

Three minutes before the interval he struck again, this time calmly lifting the ball over keeper Sheridan Martinez after a sublime Jamey Osborne pass had carved open the Solihull defence.

The second period was a little more even and the visitors did threaten once Gueyes had reduced the arrears, Reds keeper Josh Moreton doing well to keep out two other efforts.

But United finished with another gem of a goal when, on 87 minutes, Baker unleashed a volley that flew past the Moors keeper and into the roof of the net.

With striker Danny Dubidat and midfielders Simeon Maye, Jordan Liburd-Cullinane, Max Loveridge and Jack Westbrook still to return, manager Liam McDonald can look forward to Saturday’s Southern League Premier opener with Cirencester Town with a smile on his face.

Reds: Moreton, Ashmore, Flanagan, R Bunn (Spink 62), Richards, Mutton, Baker, Carline (Henry-Duncan 89), Archer (Molyneux 60), Osborne, Shearer (Bell 82)