Keep our season alive — Draper (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Keep our season alive — Draper

5:32pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Sport

KEITH Draper has urged his Bromsgrove Sporting players to keep the season alive.

With the Rouslers on course for their target of a top six or seven finish in the Midland Combination Premier Division, the manager is concerned that his squad don’t switch off until the season is finished.

With the club still in the Worcestershire Senior Urn and the Smedley Crooke Challenge Trophy, he believes there is plenty of reasons to keep pushing.

“It’s important the players do not let the season peter out,” the manager said.

“We’re in a good position in the league and look on course for a top six or seven finish but the cups are important as well and we’d love to win some silverware.”

Sporting were left frustrated on Saturday as they were edged out 1-0 by Earlswood at Studley FC’s Beehive ground.

Draper felt the performance was worthy of all three points, let alone a defeat.

Bromsgrove have scored just twice in the last four matches but the manager watched his side create enough chances to win.

He said: “I was very pleased with the performance but we couldn’t score.

“We’ve changed our style recently because we were leaking a few goals but we had ample opportunities to score.”

Sporting are also keen to hold onto up-and-coming young striker Jovan Blake-Walker after Redditch United put in a seven-day bid yesterday.

The 20-year-old has just broken into Bromsgrove’s first team line-up but has already caught the attention of Reds boss Simon Redhead.

However, Draper is hopeful that the rookie hitman will stay.

“We’ve spoken to Jovan. If he goes to Redditch he’ll go into the under-21s as they think he’s one for the future.

“Obviously he’s getting more first team action here and with the reserves likely to be winning the league, he will also get a championship medal.

“He’s strong, quick and works very hard, so hopefully he will stay.”

With Chris Conway completing his move to Evesham United last week, Sporting want to hold onto their remaining strikers.

Centre forward and emergency centre back Chris Morrison missed the Earlswood defeat after sustaining cuts to his face after a fall last Saturday night.

He could be available for this weekend’s home league clash against Warwickshire-based Southam United (3pm ko).