REDDITCH United's player-coach Gary Hackett faces his old club Stourport Swifts when they visit the Valley Stadium for an eagerly awaited local derby tonight (7.30) in the Dr Martens Western Division.
The former West Bromwich Albion player and his new club will provide a tough test as Swifts' manager, Rod Brown, readily admits.
"I've spoken to Gary and we've had a bit of a laugh about it but Redditch have started the season well and it should be a tough game," he said.
Brown, though, has been impressed by his own team's early season form, which they continued on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Gresley Rovers thanks to two goals from prolific striker Lee Booth.
"We played well and deserved to win but it was a difficult game," said Brown.
"Lee's first goal was a good goal and we've been working hard with him to step up his game."
Brendan Hackett and Jan Mulders alongside Dave Davies deputised for suspended regulars, Quentin Townsend and Steve Ulfig.
"I dropped Brendan Brendan into the back three and they were probably the best three on the pitch," added Brown.
The Swifts' manager is set to start with an unchanged line up with Matt Southwick back on the bench after suspension.
* Fourth-placed Evesham United face a straightforward-looking trip to struggling Racing Club Warwick tonight (7.45).
But after losing there last year boss Phil Mullen is not taking anything for granted.
"It was a disappointing fixture for us last year when we went 1-0 up and were coasting only to lose 2-1," he said.
"It was on the back end of five straight losses but we recovered from that and went on a great run.
"But we won't be treating them lightly because it too early to assess the bottom as against the top teams.
"There is an air of confidence and we know we're one of the better sides in the league but first of all we have to see them off."
Defender Russell Parmenter is back from a one-match loan to Bromsgrove Rovers while new signings Steve Pope and Matt Gardiner are set to be included in the squad.
n Pershore Town replay their FA Vase first qualifying round tie at home to Western League side Torrington (7.45) after Saturday's 1-1 draw in Devon.
They will be without striker Gary Smith who dislocated his shoulder in Saturday's match.
The winners of tonight's tie will entertain another Western League outfit, Frome Town, in the next round on September 22.
* Former Worcester City striker Chris Jefferson has signed for Westfields and will be in the team for the visit of Malvern Town in the West Midlands League Premier Division tonight (7.45).
Another ex-City player, John Meek, is set to start in goal with Jon Pugh out due to a back injury. Top scorer Derek Craddock is back from holiday.
Striker Andy Shepherd returns after a seven-day suspension for Malvern, who are looking to hit form after a poor start to the season, but Keith Holmans, Adam Higgins and Matt Upton are all working.
Westfields won 2-1 at Mal-vern over the Bank Holiday weekend when Town's Holmans and Robbie Gore both received red cards.
* Bromyard Town entertain rivals Kington Town in a Herefordshire derby (7.45), hoping to bounce back from Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Smethwick Rangers.
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