REDDITCH United have recorded a magnificent seven victories from their seven pre-season friendlies.

They rounded off with an assured display against Newport County AFC at Valley Stadium on Saturday.

The Welsh visitors pipped the Reds for promotion last season and offered their stiffest test of the warm-up.

Manager Rob Smith picked his most likely starting eleven for the opening league game against Paget Rangers this weekend.

Reds started strongly and dominated the early exchanges. Paul Burton should have given them the lead on 11 minutes when clean through, but Newport keeper Pat Mountain pulled off a fine block.

But Mountain could do nothing eight minutes later when Jamie Hart unleashed a left foot effort from the edge of the box, following Craig Gillett's throughball.

Newport stepped up a gear in search of an equaliser and on 36 minutes Karl Bayliss was denied by an excellent reaction save by Dave Adey.

Reds eased the pressure when they doubled their lead just before half-time when Mark Dearlove powered home a header from a Ross Knight corner.

A disjointed second half because of substitutions and an overzealous referee saw no additions to the scoreline.

This result capped a fine week for the Reds following their 6-0 thrashing of Interlink Alliance side Stourport Swifts. Their were braces for Kerry Giddings and Mark Smith, and one apiece for Burton and Dearlove.

Last Tuesday they faced local rivals Feckenham and were given a good workout by the Midland Combination outfit.

The Reds ran out winners 3-0. Jan Mulders opening the scoring with a penalty while Hart grabbed the others.