A YOUTHFUL Bromsgrove Rovers AFC side suffered a 3-0 defeat against Hopwood Swifts in their latest pre-season outing, writes Neil Gordon.
With many first-team regulars absent, the Greens handed valuable gametime to a host of youngsters from the club’s newly-launched reserve side against last season’s Birmingham League Division Four champions.
Bromsgrove had plenty of possession during a goalless first-half with Bayley Depper Gwilliams, Jack Hopper and Tom Hill all going close, before falling behind to Brad Field’s strike and Callum Harper’s double at South Bromsgrove High School.
Livewire Depper Gwilliams created an early chance moments before Hopper curled a long-range shot just wide of the far post as Rovers probed for an opening.
After a drinks break Rovers’ trialist goalkeeper pulled off a fine reaction save before Field went on a mazy run towards the Bromsgrove goal.
Hill then hit the side netting from a tight angle as the first half finished goalless.
Hopwood opened the scoring early in the second half when Field stroked the ball beyond the advancing goalkeeper and into the net.
Harper doubled the visitors lead when he lofted home a direct free-kick with aplomb from wide left.
Rovers’ continued to plug away but were undone when Harper scored his second of the match when he planted the ball inside the back post from a tight angle.
Rovers manager Spencer Machin was happy with the performance of his team. He said “This was an opportunity to blood some youngsters.”
Bromsgrove face Village FC in a friendly on Saturday, August 17 with kick-off at 2.30pm at South Bromsgrove High School and admission free.
