Bromsgrove Sporting 1 (Benbow 35' P)
Birmingham City U21s 3 (Ugorji 5', Guernier 17', McClusker 82')

Despite a vastly improved performance following their last two friendly defeats, Bromsgrove Sporting were unable to make the return home a winning one, losing 1-3 to a Birmingham City U21 side.

Goals from Tobey Ugorji and Aurelien Guernier gave the Blues a two goal lead early on before Bromsgrove pulled one back from the penalty spot via Luke Benbow.

Benbow had another opportunity to score a spotkick, but his second penalty of the evening was kept out. The scoring was completed eight minutes from time, courtesy of Kian McClusker.

The deadlock was broken after just five minutes, as Ugorji headed home a corner.

Benbow saw a fiercely struck effort saved well by Will O'Sullivan three minutes later. The 12th minute saw Sporting's goalkeeping coach Ryan Pratt, who was in goal due to the absences of both Adam Harrison and Charlie McNamara, make a fine save from a Kaidon Robinson strike.

Benbow and Kobe Hall had good opportunities to score on the 15 minute mark, but were unable to make the most of them - two minutes on, Guernier doubled the lead, as an impressive solo run eventually resulted in him tapping the ball home.

Chances continued to go the way of the both sides, in what was an entertaining first half. Jack Kelly blazed a strike over the bar after 19 minutes, before Pratt smartly saved another effort of Robinson's moments later.

The 23rd minute saw Hall have another shot saved before Kelly clattered the underside of the crossbar with a venomous attempt.

12 minutes later, Sporting's first home goal of pre-season came; after Josh Ezewele was fouled in the area, Benbow stepped up and confidently dispatched from the penalty spot.

Benbow almost bagged another just before the half time whistle, but his curled effort was saved by O'Sullivan.

The early stages of the second half were dominated by Sporting - Billy Shaw was unable to convert a header from close range before Benbow had his second penalty of the evening. After being brought down in the box, he stepped up once again, but had his strike saved by second half substitute Tyrese Warmington.

Pratt had to be alert to keep out a Trae Briscoe shot after an hour, whilst Hall had another attempt saved a minute later.

Benbow volleyed a good opportunity over in the 64th minute and a Sporting trialist had a shot saved with 10 minutes remaining.

The scoring was complete in the 82nd minute, as McClusker rounded Pratt and slotted the ball into the net.

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Bromsgrove Player of the Match, as chosen by match sponsors, the team from Pinfields Accountants: Tom Edge

Report: Max Banner