Football: Redditch United kick off season at AFC Sudbury

Mike Fowler's men then have their Valley Stadium opener against Stratford Town next

The Reds' pre-season ended on a triumphant note courtesy of an impressive 4-0 home win over Anstey Nomads last Friday.

Danny King, Matty Warburton, Tyler Bruck and Max McNulty scored the goals.

Redditch only suffered one pre-season defeat and that was the previous Monday when Sutton Coldfield Town won 3-1 at the Valley Stadium.

They previously beat Rugby Town 2-0, Northampton Town 3-1, Evesham United 3-1, Sporting Club Inkberrow 3-0 and Worcester Raiders 2-1.

Meanwhile, Alvechurch are on the road for their Premier Division Central opener at Stamford on Saturday (3pm).

Then follows an early league derby for Church next Tuesday with Bromsgrove Sporting heading to Lye Meadow (7.45pm).

Church finished pre-season with contrasting results, gaining a creditable 0-0 home draw with National League North side Hereford at home last week.

They then fell 1-0 at home to Coventry City under 21s last Saturday.

An early goal softly conceded set the tone for a clash with a definite pre-season feel about it.

Forward Tope Obadeyi, a summer signing from Kidderminster Harriers, was presented with a chance on 23 minutes but he blazed it well over.

On 74 minutes Callum Sullivan drove a ball across the face of the goal after good work from Shay Willock but Louie Clifford was inches away from connecting.

Substitute Clifford's persistence almost paid off as he single-handedly took on the defence but was ultimately crowded out deep inside the box and his final effort got blocked.

Church have completed the signing of centre-half Nile Timson from Aston Villa after the defender put in some promising performances during the pre-season schedule.

Tim Flowers' side previously won 2-1 at Stafford Rangers in pre-season, beat Bedworth United 5-0, drew 1-1 at Rugby Town, saw off Hednesford Town 3-1 and triumphed 2-0 at Gornal Athletic.