PAUL Smith praised the manner in which his Bromsgrove Sporting players have started the season.

They followed up their FA Cup success over Rocester with a superb 4-0 triumph at Quorn to get their Midland League Premier Division programme off to a flying start.

Smith insisted: "We should have won by more when you consider that Jason Cowley missed a penalty while other good chances went begging.

"It's been a tremendous start. The lads worked their socks off in pre-season after I called them back early and they've really responded.

"We've already played and beaten two experienced sides at this level and the lads now understand that this could be another very good year."

Goals from Liam Spink and Jordan Jones put Sporting 2-0 ahead at half time before Jason Cowley came off the bench to net a couple of late goals.

Smith defended his decision to put Cowley on the bench, he said: "I've got a very good squad of players at the moment, but I've decided to go with just one player up front and that happens to be Wade Malley at the moment.

"Jason's got a slight groin problem at the moment and that has to be managed but it's a situation we developed last season where players can come off the bench and make a big difference.

"The amount of points we won last season through our substitutions was the reason we went on to win the league."

Sporting look for another slice of FA Cup success this Saturday when they entertain Coleshill Town, who like their hosts, reached the FA Vase semi-finals last season.

Smith said: "Coleshill have won both of their games so far this season and it should prove a contest between two very good sides. I plan to watch Coleshill ahead of Saturday's game when I'm hoping our supporters will turn out in force to get behind us."

Joe Ward returns to full training this week leaving the absent Ahmed Ali and suspended Aaron Roberts as the only unavailabilities.