REDDITCH United boss Paul Smith hit out at the demanding fixture list schedule faced by his players this week.

Reds were due to travel to Needham Market in Suffolk for a Tuesday night contest in the Evo Stik Southern League Premier Division.

Smith said: "The coach is set to leave the ground at 1.45pm and we're not expecting to be back until 3am.

"It's an absolute joke at this level of football. The game should be taking place on a Saturday.

"I've got four teachers in my side. All of them are planning to leave school between 3pm and 3.45pm and drive down to Ipswich themselves.

"I take my hat off to them, but we shouldn't be put in this position."

Smith has also called on his players to be more clinical in front of goal following a 2-1 defeat to Royston Town last Saturday.

That was after recent recruit George Washbourne had fired the Reds into a first minute lead.

Smith said: "We played well. We just didn't take our chances.

"Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham missed two one-on-one's with the goalkeeper and Harry White squandered another couple of chances while we also wasted a free header at the back stick as well.

"But then we were guilty of switching off to let Royston back in.

"We have to start taking our chances otherwise the situation will become more critical.

"But we are creating plenty of chances and I'm confident things will start to happen for us in front of goal."

Smith has snapped up former Barnsley and Solihull Moors player Harry White on a short term deal.

White has landed a contract to play football in Australia and is likely to set off down under around mid-January.

Smith revealed: "Harry had released himself from his contract with Hereford with his impending trip to Australia in mind.

"I gave Harry his first taste of senior football when I was in charge of Earlswood Town and we've kept in touch ever since.

"He got in touch to tell me he was at a loose end over Christmas and this was an opportunity too good to turn down.

"It seems things didn't work out for him at Barnsley but Harry is one of those players who works his socks off.

"There were quite a few clubs interested in him and I'm absolutely delighted he has chosen us.

"With so many games taking place over Christmas, having Harry on board will prove a big plus."

Reds entertain AFC Rushden and Diamonds this Saturday before playing host to local rivals Alvechurch in their Boxing Day derby.