STUDLEY will see their impressive away form in the Midlands Division One put to the test when they go to in-form Bromsgrove Sporting on Boxing Day (11.30am kick-off).

The sixth-placed Bees have won nine out of their ten away games in the league, but their visit to the Victoria Ground is their hardest game yet.

Fourth-placed Sporting have not lost in the league since September and are mounting a sustained title challenge.

But the two sides know each other well, with Bees joint-boss Adrian Mander in charge of Bromsgrove until he left the role after a bust-up with director Jon Prescott.

Bromsgrove snapped up Paul Smith as manager and Mander took the vacant role at the Beehive, with both clubs also swapping several players in the process.

Studley will welcome back Matt Bailey and Darius Darkin for the clash, who had been sidelined by injuries.

Joint-boss Kevin Kingham said: “Our away form has been incredible and quite unusual for this level of football.

“We know Bromsgrove are playing well but we’ll go there in confident mood.

“Obviously the managers know both clubs well and there are players who have appeared for both teams, which adds a little something extra to the game as well.”