BROMSGROVE Sporting face another tough test against higher ranked opposition when they go to Worcestershire rivals Stourport Swifts in the FA Vase first qualifying round.

It’s another stiff examination of manager Paul Smith’s new-look squad.

With former Bromsgrove Rovers manager Rod Brown at the helm, Swifts are flying high in the Midland Football League Premier.

But Smith believes his side has a chance of progressing after watching Sporting exited the FA Cup in a thrilling replay against Coleshill Town on Tuesday night.

After Saturday’s 2-2 draw, Sporting were beaten 3-2 after being shot down by Dean Rathbone’s extra-time strike.

He said: “We’ve got a very tough game ahead of us at Stourport but I think we’ve got a good chance.

“Since I have taken over as manager we have played Hinckley, Coleshill and Pilkington already and now have a game against Stourport so there is no rest at all.

“But if we can play like we did against Coleshill on Saturday then we can progress.

“I would have taken 2-2 before the game but we had three good chances to win the match we didn’t take.”

Sporting, who were set to play Coleshill in a replay on Tuesday night, have drafted in Hinckley left-back Chris Sockett. They have also signed forward Reece Hewitt, Danny Morris and centre-back Toby Checketts from Studley.

Bromsgrove had already added Scot Hadland, Simon Fitter, Gary Hay and Scott Smith.

Josh McKenzie, who played for Gornal Athletic on Bank Holiday Monday, Rico Taylor and Darius Darkin have all made the switch to Studley to work with former Sporting boss Adrian Mander.

Smith said: “Chris will give us some extra quality down that side and I am pleased to get him in.

“I am working on one or two new additions and if I get them in I will be happy with the squad we’ve got.

“But I won’t have some players holding the club to ransom.

“They were offered good deals elsewhere that we weren’t prepared to match.

“We thank them for their efforts and wish them the best of luck.”

Saturday’s clash will kick-off at 4.30pm because of the Stourport carnival.