Bromsgrove Sporting played their final home pre-season fixture last Saturday against Vanarama National League North opponents Leamington writes Ben Cox.

Bromsgrove came into the game with a depleted squad, with many players on holiday, leaving manager Paul Smith no choice but to put himself on the bench.

The game was even in the opening exchanges, the biggest chance falling to Sporting’s John Pykett who stung the palms of keeper’ Tony Breeden.

On twenty minutes striker Jason Cowley should have done better when U21 midfielder Max Tranter played him clean through on goal before blazing over the bar.

A two goal flurry for Leamington on the half hour mark gave Leamington the lead at half-time. Rob Thompson-Brown tapped in from a low cross and Courtney Baker Richardson found himself completely unmarked to bounce his header over the grasping Steve Grogan into the net.

The Rouslers settled after the goals, trailing by two at the break.

After half time the game was mostly stalemate, with neither side creating many clear cut chances.

Bromsgrove came close through Josh Quaynor’s deflected cross that almost snuck into the far corner.

On 70 minutes Grogan pulled off a stunning reaction save but Colby Bishop was there for The Breakers to fire home the rebound.

Moments after the restart Wade Malley again came close but his effort curled away from the goal much to the frustration of the striker.

Leamington, three tiers higher than Bromsgrove showed their quality when a delightful lobbed pass from Richard Tavendry found the chest of Bishop who made no mistake, calmly finishing into the far corner resulting in the game ending 0-4 to Leamington.