Redditch United Women's plight deepened at the weekend with a 6-0 defeat to lowly Southam.

Outfield player Rachel Hopkins was forced to play in goal with the first choice on the club's lengthy injury list and regular stand-in Sam Tayler unavailable along with manager Steve.

And to add insult to injury, former striker Mandy Ellicott was making headlines with an eight goal haul to take her tally to 22 goals in six games for arch rivals Headless Cross Ladies.

Redditch sit second from bottom and entertain newcomers Banbury at home on Sunday (ko 2pm).

Division One South of the West Midlands Women's Regional League is currently the bottom rung of the women's game but ominously for United, the league website has earmarked the bottom two places for relegation.

If, as is eventually planned, the newly-formed Kidderminster Women's County Football League, becomes a feeder for the WM League sooner rather than later, Redditch could face the prospect of relegation to a league in which the club's reserve team - Redditch Weatherguard are founder members.

To pile on the misery, Tayler has learned Natalie Plant will be ruled out until the New Year because she has torn her hamstring.