BROMSGROVE Sporting boss Paul Smith believes his side's 3-1 defeat to local rivals Redditch United last Saturday will do his side no harm at all.

Smith admitted it was the first time for ages his Sporting side had failed to perform.

He said: "The defeat could do us the world of good. The lads have been great during pre-season but this was the first average performance for sometime and it will keep a number of them well grounded. They need to understand that things can turn very quickly in football.

"It's been very rare to see us make mistakes, but Redditch's first and third goal were definitely down to individual errors while our finishing in the final third of the pitch wasn't as good as it usually is."

Sporting plan to put matters right this week with a trip to another of their arch rivals Alvechurch on Tuesday followed by a home game against high flying West Midlands League Premier side Wolves Sporting Community.

Such is the clamour for starting places at Bromsgrove Sporting this season, that it has prompted midfield man Keenan Meakin- Richards to leave the club.

He has chosen to join Midland League rivals Sporting Khalsa instead and Smith said: "He's leaves with our blessing.

"The competition for places in midfield this season will be incredibly fierce, it's our strongest position.

"Keenan was outstanding for us last season and tremendous both on and off the park.

"But he's 29-years-old and has got to the stage in his career where he wants to be starting games but midfield is a really good area on the pitch for us with so many options.

"I've got Sam Wills, Robbie Bunn, Ahmed Ali, Liam Spink , Reece Hewitt and Joe Ward who can all do a job in that position.

"I've always had a good relationship with Sporting Khalsa manager Ian Rowe. He contacted me about Keenan and asked for permission to speak with him. I understand he played for Sporting Khalsa last Saturday and I wish him well."