Bromsgrove Sporting 4, Alvechurch 0

ALVECHURCH found Division One high-flyers Bromsgrove too hot to handle in a hastily arranged friendly on Saturday.

With Church’s Premier Division clash against Walsall Wood postponed, Lee Knight agreed to a game against their lower level opponents on Studley’s 3G pitch.

A bitterly cold wind blew across the pitch but it was clear of snow and ice allowing a good quality match given the conditions in front of a handful of die-hard fans who were not going let a bit of cold ruin their Saturday afternoon.

Alvechurch, who play in the Midlands Premier, were quickest out of their blocks and Sporting keeper, Jake Bedford had to make a good save a few seconds after the kick-off diving low to his right.

However Sporting quickly got into their stride and clearly the skilful ball players enjoyed the level and even surface to move the ball around accurately and make a number of quick passes.

The first goal came on 16 minutes following a good run up field by Jack Wilson, he crossed to Sean Brain who side-footed home in the narrow gap between keeper and post.

Number two came nine minutes after the interval. Sporting won a corner and the ball went out to Scott Smith who scored a rare goal with a looping header.

Ten minutes from the end Chrisi Conway put away number three after sidestepping one defender and driving a hard low shot into the corner of the net from 18 yards.

With little time left on the clock, Dan Carter scored number four for Sporting when he chipped Shaun Edwards from short range.

Church could have got on to the score sheet in added time when Bedford brought down Kyle Morrison in the area but the shot-stopper redeemed himself by saving the spot kick from the same player that he fouled.

At the end manager Paul Smith said: "The match was a useful work out against a good side".

Sporting: Bedford, Wilson, Jones (Jakab, 52), Gardner, Smith, Hewitt, Fitter (Mahon, 46), Brain (Bradley, 46), Jakab (Conway, 46), Wills (Brain 57), Carter.

Unused substitutes: Morris.

Attendance: 35 . Sporting Man of the Match: Sean Brain