REDDITCH Borough manager Rob Bruce says his squad will continue to play without fear after an opening-day win over fancied Cheltenham Saracens.
Only three players from last season’s side started as Borough came from behind to win 2-1 in Hellenic League Division One on Saturday, August 1.
Cheltenham took the lead six minutes after the break when Tom Hoskins struck from distance.
Borough responded just past the hour as Leo Thomas drove a low finish across goal after Sulayman Hangero-Cham’s cross had been pushed into his path.
The home side then withstood sustained pressure before substitute Romay Francis scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner from Raheem Spencer’s deep corner.
It marked an encouraging start for a team rebuilt after the club trialled around 50 players during the summer.
Bruce said: "All we keep hearing about is inexperience and a lack of a pool of players but I take that as a positive.
"We are opening up opportunities for lads who might not have played at this level or have been fringe players.
"Cheltenham had pretty much the same team that finished two points outside the play-offs last season and when we went one down we could have wilted.
"We have a young, buzzing squad that is up for playing anyone.
"We’re not here to fear anyone, I have absolute faith in these lads."
Borough were unable to build on the result in Tuesday’s 3-1 derby defeat at Alcester Town.
Taylor Need put Alcester ahead early in the second half before Jake Wicketts took advantage of an error to add a second with 13 minutes remaining.
Francis gave Borough hope when he pounced on Jack Neal’s misplaced pass with five minutes to go, but Luke O’Hare restored Alcester’s two-goal advantage after a corner was dropped.
Bruce said his side had not been 'torn open' and would learn from the mistakes which led to the goals.
He added: "Alcester were good, strong and disciplined.
"We won’t sulk about it, we will learn and get ready for Saturday."
Borough face another stern test when they travel to Wantage Town on Saturday for a 3pm kick-off.
Wantage, a former Southern League club, have reached the play-offs in each of the past two seasons and beat Borough in the 2025 semi-final.
Bruce said: "We will go there to play our football.
"We won’t take the confidence out of the lads."
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