Bromsgrove Sporting played their final home pre-season fixture last Saturday against Vanarama National League North opponents Leamington.

Bromsgrove came into the game with a depleted squad, with many players on holiday, leaving manager Paul Smith no choice but to put himself on the bench.

The game was even in the opening exchanges, the biggest chance falling to Sporting’s John Pykett who stung the palms of keeper’ Tony Breeden.

On twenty minutes striker Jason Cowley should have done better when U21 midfielder Max Tranter played him clean through on goal before blazing over the bar.

A two goal flurry for Leamington on the half hour mark gave Leamington the lead at half-time. Rob Thompson-Brown tapped in from a low cross and Courtney Baker Richardson found himself completely unmarked to bounce his header over the grasping Steve Grogan into the net.

The Rouslers settled after the goals, trailing by two at the break.

After half time the game was mostly stalemate, with neither sides creating many clear cut chances.

Bromsgrove came close through Josh Quaynor’s deflected cross that almost snuck into the far corner.

On 70 minutes Grogan pulled off a stunning reaction save but Colby Bishop was there for The Breakers to fire home the rebound.
Moments after the restart Wade Malley again came close but his effort curled away from the goal much to the frustration of the striker.

Leamington, three tiers higher than Bromsgrove showed their quality when a delightful lobbed pass from Richard Tavendry found the chest of Bishop who made no mistake, calmly finishing into the far corner resulting in the game ending 0-4 to Leamington.

Bromsgrove Sporting:-
Steve Grogan, Ben Birch (Matt Savage 82 mins.), Josh Quaynor, Max Tranter (Brendan Kelly 76 mins.), Duane Courtney, Daniel Morris, Max Loveridge, Reece Hewitt, Jason Cowley (Chris Conway 38 mins.), Wade Malley (Joe Hingley 78 mins.), John Pykett.
Sub not used:- Paul Smith.

Leamington:-
Tony Breedon, Richard Taundry, Connor Gudger, Joe Clarke, Marshall Willock (Shay Nicholson 75 mins.), Junior English, Courtney Baker-Richardson (Stefan Moore 61 mins.), Callum Gittings, Colby Bishop, Rob Thompson-Brown (Tom Rankin 46 mins.), Kurtis Revan
Subs not used:- Ahmed Obeng, Ben Ntiri.

Goalscorers:- Rob Thompson-Brown (27 mins.), Courtney Baker-Richardson (30 mins.), Colby Bishop (67 & 90)

Referee:- Mr. Wayne Barratt (Bromsgrove)
Assistants:- Dan Stokes (Bromsgrove) & Joe Clarke (Coventry)

Attendance:- 421