TYLER Bruck scored the game’s only goal as Redditch United made a winning start to pre-season with a 1-0 victory against Chasetown.
Bruck struck nine minutes from time at the Valley Stadium to ensure Mike Fowler’s side made the perfect start to their pre-season preparations.
Chasetown play one level below Redditch in the Northern Premier League West division.
After a goalless first half, Dan Sweeney went close for the Reds after the break as the striker saw his effort come back off the base of the post.
However, Redditch eventually broke the deadlock on 81 minutes when Sweeney sent Bruck clear and the forward coolly found the net when one-on-one with the Chasetown goalkeeper.
And United goalkeeper Joe Neeson still had to make a fine reaction save at the death to keep Chasetown at bay.
Fowler said: “It was a typical first pre-season game for us. We’ve only had two proper sessions and I think it showed.
“We were really rusty and expectedly off the pace but we’ve got some fitness in the bank and lets the players know the level they’re at at the moment.
“We’ve got five weeks to get to the level we need to get to and I guarantee we’ll be there.
“I wouldn’t say there was a lot of positives. We’ll tweak game on game until we get to that first league game.
“The squad is a good squad. We’ve brought in some additions who need to get up to speed.
“We’re still looking for two players – a holding midfielder and a goalkeeper.
Redditch continue their pre-season campaign with a trip to Evesham United on Tuesday, July 7 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Spiers and Hartwell Stadium.
