BOSS Darren Byfield hopes new-look Redditch United's 3-1 pre-season win over arch-rivals Bromsgrove has put them back in credit going into the new campaign.

Reds suffered a troubled second half to Byfield's first season in management, prompting the ex-Aston Villa striker to ring the changes ahead of a second shot at the Southern League Premier Division.

Two goals from returning midfielder Paul Apostolopoulos and another from Danico Johnson ended Sporting's imperious recent record while putting a spring in the step of the Valley Stadium faithful.

"Managers can talk as much as they want but fans want to see stuff on the pitch, that's the biggest thing," said Byfield.

"For everyone connected with Redditch, Saturday was big in the sense that Bromsgrove had been riding the crest of a wave. I wanted us to show what our team is about, to get at them, attack and show energy, which we did.

"If continue to do that win lose or draw, the fans will support the team. They don't want to hear how much I've learned, they want to see performances and results.

"It is not about me, I hope everyone can get behind the lads, see what they're doing and know Redditch are here to fight to be as successful as we can be."

Reds have completed the signing of stocky defender Marcel Simpson and ex-Notts County full-back Nathan Fox while Apostolopoulos and a trio of prospects from Highgate United continue to make their cases during pre-season.

Young powerhouse defender Orrin Pendley and creative spark MacCauley Manning and burly frontman Curvin Ellis have featured but Byfield says his business is not done yet.

The manager confirmed he was "close" to bringing in two players with one potentially featuring in tonight's (Tuesday's) Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-final with Kidderminster Harriers.

"We are still looking at the whole spine of the team," he added.

"We have probably sorted a midfielder and agreed to bring in someone else, we just have to wait and see.

"I am happy with where we are at the moment but want to make sure we can compete with every team we play. I want the strongest squad available but when opportunities come up we have to look at them.

"If the season started on Saturday, I would be happy with what we have but as always, we will keep doing everything we can to try to improve."