PAUL Smith made certain that Bromsgrove Sporting's early morning call didn't go to waste when they defeated fellow high fliers Coventry United at the impressive Butts Arena this week.

United share their ground with Coventry Rugby Club, who also had a home fixture on the same day.

Consequently, Sporting found themselves facing a noon kick off and Smith admitted: "It wasn't ideal, especially when you are used to playing at 3pm.

"United had offered us alternatives that combined of 7.45pm kick-offs on Friday and Saturday evening. We opted for noon Saturday and immediately lost Reece Hewitt as a result as he couldn't get off work in time to play.

"The Butts Arena is a wonderful stadium with seating for 3,000 and United have big aspirations. But it's a rugby pitch first and foremost. Consequently the grass is longer and not conducive to football.

"After inspecting the pitch, everything that I planned to do went out of the window and I had to change the team and the style of play.

"We produced a defensive master-class and moved the ball from back to front as quickly as possible. I was really proud of the way my players adapted, when we normally like to try to get the ball down and play."

Ultimately it was Robbie Bunn's 47th minute strike that sealed the points for Sporting.

Smith was also full of praise for Sporting's travelling army of fans. He said: "We must have taken between 200 to 250 supporters and the noise they made was absolutely massive."

Busy Smith had boosted his defence by snapping up Stratford Town centre back Guy Clark.

He explained: "I heard on the grapevine that Guy was struggling to make Stratford's away games owing to his work at Birmingham Market.

"Having lost Duane Courtney and Jordan Jones, it had left us a bit light at the back.

"I know that Stratford manager Carl Adams didn't want to lose Guy, but we've had a chat and Guy will make his debut for us this week against Pershore Town."

Sporting will be looking for another bumper crowd this Saturday when they play host to Lye Town.