Pre-Season Friendly - Saturday 8th July 2023, 3:00 p.m. kick-off

Sutton Coldfield Town 1 (0) Bromsgrove Sporting 1 (1) at The Central Ground, Coles Lane

Last Saturday, Bromsgrove Sporting made their way up the M5 for a pre-season friendly against Sutton Coldfield Town who play their football one level below The Rouslers in the Northern Premier League Division South-East.

In cool conditions (for the time of year) and with a bit of drizzle in the air, it was the Bromsgrove outfit who started stronger and as early as the 4th minute, Aaron Roberts again playing centre-back send a sublime pass up field to Keiron Berry who controlled well before putting a good shot just wide of the Sutton post.

From then on the game slowed down somewhat with both teams content to pass the ball around in midfield whilst looking for opportunities to go forward.

Berry though was continuing to make a nuisance of himself; enough to cause the home defence to foul him just outside the box with fifteen minutes gone. The lively Connor Tee took the resulting set-piece but it went harmlessly out for a goal kick.

However Sporting's slightly better control of the game paid dividends on the 25th minute. One of the Sporting trialists played a good ball into the home penalty area, that really should have been cleared but it fell to Berry who slotted home into the bottom left hand corner from a few yards out.

Luke Rowe could have increased the Rouslers lead a few minutes later but his useful shot went just over the bar.

Meanwhile at the other end, The Royals had a few opportunities but they will regret not being a little more alert in front of goal to convert the chances created.

Sutton improved noticeably in the second half and got a deserved equaliser on 56 minutes with their centre forward glancing in a cross from the left.

Sporting meanwhile replaced every outfield player as the half went on and although they played some useful football, chances were fewer.

The home side might have had the last say with a couple of minutes left on the clock but a shot went over the bar following a good pass into the box from former Rousler Ryan Edmunds.

So another useful workout for Sporting and a number of useful players on display and a few difficult decisions for player/manager Mike McGrath on who will make the final squad. One though has been confirmed as Keiron Berry after his impressive performances in the two matches so far, so he will be a Rousler next season.

Sporting line-up: Ollie Taylor, Aaron Roberts (Dan Preston 61 mins), Trialist 1 (Jake Whiteman 61 mins), Luke Rowe (Jack Newell 46 mins), Tom Taylor (David McQuaide 81 mins), Ben Shaw (Mike McGrath 61 mins), Trialist 2 (Blake Kindred 61 mins), Keanu Cooper (Callum King-Harmes 61 mins), Keiron Berry (Tris Dunkley 61 mins), Conor Tee (Trialist 5 61 mins), Trialist 3 (Trialist 6 61 mins).

Crowd: ~ 120