Diamonds head to lovely North Worcestershire on Saturday afternoon to take on Bromsgrove Sporting in Southern League Central action.
Bromsgrove Sporting FC
Sporting “the Rouslers” were created in 2009 as a supporters consortium attempting to save Bromsgrove Rovers FC from deep financial difficulties. That didn’t materialise and the consortium created their own team to safeguard football in Bromsgrove that been popular since 1885. The lease on Victoria Ground was secured and as Rovers were dissolved Sporting began life in the Midland Combination. Mid 2010’s saw Sporting on the upward track and after 3 consecutive 2nd place finishes 3 consecutive promotions saw them climb to step 3 and into Southern League Central. Their first season was the first COVID voided season with Sporting sitting in a very good 4th place.
Previous Games
The first game between the sides was a chastening experience for Diamonds with the Rouslers running out incredible 8-2 winners at Hayden Road. It was an even game when Diamonds equalised at 2-2 on 39 minutes but a third for a dominant Bromsgrove and two sendings off either side of half-time killed Diamonds chances. 9 man Diamonds battled to be just 4-2 down by the 82nd minute but a tiring, dispirited Diamonds conceded 4 goals in a horrendous last 10 minutes. Diamonds reclaimed some pride with a hard fought 0-0 draw in the away game but were beaten 1-0 in the short “voided” season at Bromsgrove in October 2020.
Southern League First Week
Bromsgrove had a disappointing start to the season with a shock 4-0 home defeat by Leiston FC on the opening day followed by a 3-0 defeat at local rivals Alvechurch FC midweek. They bounced back with a hard fought 1-0 win at Needham Market FC last Saturday and sit in 17th place with 3 point from 3 games.
Diamonds also suffered home defeat on their opening day with Banbury United inflicting a 2-0 defeat in midweek. They bounced back with a dramatic last minute 2-1 victory against fancied Coalville Town at Hayden Road last Saturday to sit 15th with 3 points from 2 games.
Peterborough Sports FC and Hednesford Town are the only teams with 9 points from 3 games, with Banbury United and St. Ives the only other unbeaten sides on 7 points. Stratford and Redditch sit on 6 points with one defeat each and 5 sides have four points – Leiston, Tamworth, Coalville, Royston and Biggleswade. Lowestoft are the only side to have lost all three games but Stourbridge FC will be very disappointed with their start of just 1 point from 3 games putting them second bottom alongside Needham Market FC and Nuneaton Borough FC.
The game
Diamonds saw Tom Lorraine return to the forward line with great effect last week and Patrick Casey stand in for injured Alex Collard equally well. Dean Snedker had another great performance in goal but an early injury for Claudio Dias and Will Jones having to go off after being on just a few minutes in the second half were major disappointments.
However manager Andy Peaks believes his team have a spring in their step after bouncing back in front of a jubilant Hayden Road crowd last week and is looking forward to another positive performance this week. Both sides will feel they have their season underway now and will be looking for a second victory to push up the table.
Radio Diamonds had one of those magical moments to commentate on with that late late winner last week and will be looking for something similar this week at the Victoria Ground. In-game Twitter updates, Match Reports and Highlights/Interviews are always worth looking out for so enjoy your Diamonds coverage this weekend.
Paul Judd
Radio Diamonds
