Football
Reds set for final pre-season clash

By Liam Moakes 09/08 Updated: 09/08 14:53

Buy photos » Charisma Agbonlahor, pictured in action against Rushall, has looked lively in pre-season. Photo by Marcus Mingins. 3212003MMR2.

REDDITCH United hope to be able to call on the services of a number of players who were unavailable for Saturday's defeat to Rushall Olympic when they complete their pre-season programme with the visit of Northwich Victoria to the Valley Stadium tomorrow.

The Reds boss was unhappy with his side's display against the Black Country outfit as they were beaten 1-0 by Josh Craddock's 42nd minute header.

It was a fourth successive friendly loss for United but of more concern to Redhead was the performance level, which he described as poor.

"To put it simply, we must do much better than that," said Redhead.

"We have numerous new faces and have been missing some key players in our preparations, but I'd want and expect a much higher performance level when we kick-off in the league at Hitchin next weekend."

One player who will not take any part in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division opener is defender and captain Alex Hickman, who is still not ready to return from his toe injury.

Meanwhile, the future of trialist forward Charisma Agbonlahor, who has been one of United's better performers in pre-season, is still being weighed up by the manager.

The brother of Aston Villa's Gabriel had a hand in one of Redditch's better moments against Rushall when his long range free kick in the first half was only smothered by the visiting keeper, but Will Richards' header from the rebound hit the bar before the danger was cleared.

After the break striker Mark Danks went close and Liam McDonald's free kick flew narrowly wide, but overall it was a low-key affair.

Meanwhile, local man Ian Milne has been appointed as club secretary at the Reds.

Milne, who is now retired, ran teams in the Redditch Sunday League before becoming league secretary - a post which he held for over 16 years.

He has also been a member of the Worcester FA for 16 years and was elected on many committees before choosing to step down.

"Ian's vast wealth of experience and his love of the club are the ideal combination. We are lucky to have him on board," said United chairman Chris Swan.