BROMSGROVE Sporting U21s will face second-place Stourbridge U21s next at the UK Electrical Stadium after a stunning start to the season, writes Matt Tennant.
In their last match of their first ever campaign, they enjoyed a 9-0 win against Diamond Academy U21s
A relentless flurry of goals saw Sporting storm 7-0 ahead at half-time in a dominant first home appearance.
The team is jointly managed by Stuart Carson and Mark Reeve.
Carson said: “I thought overall it was an encouraging performance.
“As soon as we got the first one, we broke through, played some fantastic football and moved the ball quickly so we went into halftime in a fantastic position.”
Their impressive victory followed a 1-3 win away against Bedworth United U21s in their opening game of the season.
Mr Carson added: “There’s plenty to work on and we’ve got more to come hopefully.
“We’re not limiting what they can do. They’ve got individual flair and we’re giving them licence to play.”
Players flocking to join the ranks
The academy team was formed ahead of the 2024/25 season and is competing in the Midland Football League Southern Division.
Reeve said: “We thought this could be the perfect time to create a new under-21s team.
“We’re still getting players knocking on the door. I think it’s gone over 180 now.
“The lads obviously want to play for the local team because they’re the biggest team in the area.
“They want to play in a fantastic stadium with a great pitch and I think that gets an extra 10 or 15 per cent out of them.”
Unearthing talent for Rouslers’ first team
The team, which was created as a pathway to develop young talent, has already seen two of its players, 18-year-old Archie Thurston and 17-year-old Bo Morris, offered forms with the first team.
Carson said: “It’s been a great success so far with a couple of lads.
“A lot of teams promise a pathway and don’t really deliver, but if they’re good enough then we can give players opportunities which has been great.
“We’ve got a core of players now and we’ve got to give those lads a chance to develop.”
The new team are currently third in the league. Reeve believes they have the potential to fight at the top.
Reeve said: “We’ve got a group of players who have got the capabilities to challenge, and time will tell how we get on.
“It’s a big game on Saturday. It’ll let us see where we are at this level, but we hope to compete.”
