MANAGER Paul Smith has warned Bromsgrove Sporting must make a winning start to the Midlands Division One as they look to avoid a serious case of déjà vu against Southam United on Saturday.

The Rouslers will be keen to lay down a marker in their hunt for the only promotion spot, but will remember being held to a 1-1 draw by the Warwickshire outfit on the first day of last season.

Sporting missed out on top spot and promotion in 2015-16 after being pipped by Coventry Sporting and Smith wants three points on the board.

He said: “We drew the first two games last season and it put us on the back foot.

“With only one team able to win promotion there is very little room for error and we must start well.

“Against Southam we took the lead but didn’t take our other chances and they hit us with a late sucker punch.

“I don’t want a repeat of that situation again but I am confident of we can start well.”

Sporting have suffered a blow with Ryan Spink and Luke Dugmore ruled out for long spells after picking up injuries playing for Sunday league teams.

Spink faces six months out with a snapped cruciate, while Dugmore broke his leg and will be out for 12 weeks.

Skipper Craig Jones is also set to miss the start of the season because of a holiday.

Smith added: “The players we have are not on contract, so even though we have told them not to play on a Sunday we cannot stop them.

“Luckily we have good strength in depth and can cope with these two injuries at the moment.”

Meanwhile, Sporting booked their place in the FA Cup preliminary round at Rugby Town on August 20 with a 3-0 win at Heath Hayes, Nathan Walker, Chris Conway and Jack Wilson all scoring.

Walker had been the subject of a seven-day bid from Halesowen Town after starring in Bromsgrove’s 2-1 friendly win last week.

But he opted to stay at the Victoria Ground after talks with Yeltz boss John Hill.

“It’s a bit cheeky to put in a seven-day bid the morning after playing us in a pre-season and I wasn’t happy,” said the Bromsgrove boss.

“John had never seen Nathan before but he decided his future is with us.”