AFTER frustrating slower-than-expected start to the season, Redditch United roared into action with a 5-0 demolition of hated rivals Stourport.

What started out as a Worcestershire derby last season turned into a charged fixture after Swifts manager Rod Brown switched to United and went back to his former club for a number of signings.

Defeats to newly-promoted Taunton and Cinderford left questions over Redditch's forward line after the departure of former leading scorer Paul Danks but they were emphatically answered with a flood of seven goals in two games.

United got their season off to a belated start in a creditable 2-2 draw against much-fancied Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday.

The Welsh side were relegated from the Premier Division in the summer and had also endured a pointless start before the weekend.

But it was Monday's walkover which set the ball rolling for Brown's revamped side.

Controversial signing Alex Cowley beat his Stourport detractors with a Man of the Match performance which saw him involved in three of the goals and score a superb individual effort to put the Reds 2-0 up.

A Football League tribunal has decided Redditch must pay a £750 fee to Stourport Swifts for the former West Brom winger with two further instalments of £250 after 25 and 50 appearances for the club.

Former Moors midfielder Richard Softley set the ball rolling on Monday and claimed his second and Redditch's third with Craig Harris and former Solihull hitman Naveed Arshad piling on the misery.

New signing Dennis Mulholland played in a three man back line favoured by Brown after the stopper's switch from Premier Division neighbours Moor Green.

Brown has started to trim his squad down after a number of new arrivals in the summer by releasing three players, two of whom only arrived in the summer.

Central defender Chris Homer, who Brown unsuccesfully tried to entice from Rushall last season has been deemed surplus to requirements after Mulholland's arrival and young striker Ian MacVarish has been shed.

Veteran central defender Nigel Niblett has also departed to leave midfielder Richard Field the only senior player at the club not signed by Brown since his arrival midway through last season.

United turn their thoughts to a potentially profitable FA Cup run on Saturday when they entertain Alliance newcomers Grosvenor Park in a preliminary round tie (ko 3pm).

Grosvenor were plying their trade in the Midland Combination last season but went up to the Alliance as champions and are unbeaten to date at the higher level.

They visit Redditch after beating Alliance rivals Stafford Town in an extra preliminary round tie 2-0 at the weekend.