THE UNEXPECTED return of the Red Recruitment Trophy has given Bromsgrove Sporting fans plenty of reason to be cheerful, after re-arranged fixtures were announced for May.
In a move that is set to provide local fans with the opportunity to see their respective teams for the first time in five months, the remaining matches of the Trophy – initially intended to provide festive cheer around the Christmas period – are now to be completed towards the end of May.
Moreover, outdoor bars and catering at the Victoria Ground, Alvechurch’s Lye Meadow and Redditch United’s Trico Stadium will be permitted to open come that time, should the Government’s road map out of lockdown restrictions continue on the same path.
The three-team tournament – initially including Worcester Raiders and then Evesham United prior to the pair’s withdrawals – only saw three games completed before the third national lockdown halted play, but will now resume with Bromsgrove visiting Redditch on Saturday, May 22.
Alvechurch then welcome the Reds a week later on May 29, before the Trophy concludes with Sporting’s trip to Lye Meadow on Bank Holiday Monday on May 31.
All fixtures are set to kick-off at 3pm, helping locals get into the spirit just before this summer’s European Championships and the forthcoming 2021/22 season.
In terms of the current standings, both Alvechurch and Bromsgrove sit on four points, the pair drawing in a 3-3 spectacular on Boxing Day last time out, though the Rouslers top the table on goal difference by a single goal.
Sporting won their other fixture against the Reds 3-1 on December 15, with Matt Clarke’s United still winless having also tasted defeat against Alvechurch in a 2-1 loss on December 22.
