On Saturday, Paul Smith’s Bromsgrove Sporting played their fourth pre-season friendly away to Evo-Stik Southern Premier outfit Redditch United.

The last three friendlies for Bromsgrove saw 20 goals scored and zero conceded in reply, but this inspiring form was ended in the Worcestershire derby after only three minutes when new Reds’ signing Nathan Fox was given far too much space on the left wing and was allowed to find the unmarked Pauly Aspostolopoulos who easily scored from 10 yards to give Redditch the lead.

Moments later former Cadbury Athletic keeper’ Reece Francis made a delightful save diving to his right to keep out Manning for the home side.

After 14 minutes Redditch keeper’ Bradley Catlow was called into action as he pushed Joe Ward’s curling effort away from goal.
On the 38th Sporting’s defence was caught napping again as Manning supplied a nift ball to Danico Johnson who beat the onrushing Francis to double United’s lead at half time.

After the break Sporting saw themselves three nil down by 48 minutes when a defensive error by Daniel Morris sent Aspostolopoulos trough and he made no mistake in finding the back of the net.

Jason Cowley soon found himself in a goal scoring position but a vital tackle from Fox preventing the striker from getting his shot away.

Bromsgrove looked brighter in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts on 65 minutes when an audacious effort from Cowley hit the crossbar and John Pykett was there to tap home the rebound.

This was much to the frustration of Darren Byfield’s men who looked to keep a clean sheet against their local rivals.
The Roulsers continued to press and perhaps Chris Conway could’ve done better when he headed wide from an Aaron Roberts cross.
Redditch looked a threat on the break and Dior Angus twice came close to extending the Reds’ lead hitting agonisingly wide both times.

In the end Redditch deserved their 3-1 victory as they capitalised on defensive errors when Bromsgrove lacked a unusual cutting edge in the final third.

Paul Smith and the Bromsgrove faithful can look ahead to the trip to Alvechurch F.C on the 18th of July to continue there pre-season campaign.

Sporting team :- Reece Francis, Ben Birch (Aaron Roberts 45), Josh Quaynor (Jack Wilson 65), Liam Spink (Sam Wills 45), Duane Courtney (Craig Jones 65), Daniel Morris (Luke Edwards 65), Chris Lloyd (John Pykett 45), Robbie Bunn, Jason Cowley, Wade Malley (Chris Conway 65), Joe Ward.

Referee :- Mr. S. Robertson (Bromsgrove)
Assistants :- Mr. D. Stokes (Bromsgrove), Mr. S. Burgess (Bewdley)

Attendance :- 574