Draper relishing new Sporting campaign (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Draper relishing new Sporting campaign

9:15am Wednesday 25th July 2012 in Sport

BROMSGROVE Sporting manager Keith Draper can’t wait for the season in the Midland Combination Premier Division to start, despite his side only just kicking off their friendly programme.

The Rouslers stepped up their summer preparations with a 0-0 draw at Alvechurch on Saturday and a 3-1 defeat at Halesowen Town on Monday.

Draper was pleased with the perfornance in both games against opposition from higher leagues.

Sporting, who took on Stourport Swifts at Walshes Meadow last night, have two more games before the real action starts, taking on Barnt Green Spartak at Birmingham-based Pilkington XXX on Saturday (3pm kick-off), before completing their preparations at Studley next Tuesdsay (7.30pm ko).

Bromsgrove then begin their league campaign on Saturday, August 4 at relegated Atherstone Town after the first six weeks of fixtures were announced by the league last week.

The Rouslers then entertain Brocton on Tuesday, September 7 (7.45pm ko) and Pelsall Villa (3pm ko) on the following Saturday.

“I can’t wait for the season to start now,” said Draper.

“I have been really pleased with how training and the friendlies have gone so far and I would love the season to be starting now.

“We’ve had two games against higher opposition and I thought we could have beat Alvechurch, we hit the bar and their keeper was the much busier one.

“We lost to Halesowen but we missed a good chance to make it 3-2 and that would have been a fair reflection on the game.”

Sporting were boosted last week by the return of captain Joe Brookes, who had previously left the club because of work committments.

However, he’s decided to return and while isn’t able to play every game, Draper believes he will provide experience and leadership.

Central midfielders James Blake and James Davies have also been drafted into the club, while former Evesham United man Simon Fitter has left to join Littleton.

Sporting also are keeping their fingers crossed midfielder James Turk will stay after Halesowen put in a seven-day bid for him last week.

Draper added: “The squad is shaping up really well, we’ve lost Simon Fitter but that’s just football and we move on.

“Saying that we’ve added two more midfielders in and we have good strength in depth.

“We’ve got a number of players vying for lots of positions — particularly up front, where we’ve got guys like Chris Conway, Chris Morrison and Jon Rogers.

“It’s also great to have Joe back, he can only play four of every seven games because of work but that’s better than nothing and he brings a lot to the club on and off the field in terms of leadership.”

Bromsgrove Sporting Midland Combination Premier Division fixtures (opening six weeks) — Sat Aug 4 Atherstone Town (a) (3pm); Tue Aug 7 Brocton (h) (7.45pm); Sat Aug 11 Pelsall Villa (h) (3pm ko); Tue Aug 14 Racing Club Warwick (a) (7.45pm); Sat Aug 18 Lichfield City (h) (3pm); Tue Aug 21 Nuneaton Griff (h) (7.45pm); Mon Aug 27 Earlswood Town (h) (3pm); Sat Sep 1 Walsall Wood (a) (3pm); Sat Sep 8 Castle Vale JKS (h) (3pm); Sat Sep 15 Stafford Town (a) (3pm).