Unbeaten run to 2020 the aim for Kelly - The Bromsgrove Standard

Unbeaten run to 2020 the aim for Kelly

Bromsgrove Editorial 21st Nov, 2019 Updated: 21st Nov, 2019   0

BRENDAN Kelly is targetting an unbeaten run through to the New Year – starting with Saturday’s (3pm) home game with St Ives Town.

Bromsgrove were winless on their travels to Peterborough Sports last weekend after paying the price for a slack first half in which they conceded three times – eventually losing 3-2 after a second-half rally.

Shaquille McDonald and Mike Taylor were both on target at The Bee Arena, though their efforts were in vain as the Rouslers did not have enough in the tank to see the comeback through.

The Sporting manager echoed such sentiments, and said: “We just gave ourselves too much to do at three-down against one of the best sides going forward in the league.




“Again, individual errors cost us, in the second half we were better and scored two goals early on – we just couldn’t quite get that third goal – our finishing wasn’t there.”

“What I said at half time can’t go into the paper but I basically just asked for more, to make sure that we followed the instructions given before we went back out.


“I wanted us to raise our concentrations levels, they have to be top not just for the 90 minutes, but also in the warm-up as well. I didn’t feel they gave their all.

“But credit to Peterborough, they’ve strengthened really well and their front three are among the best in the league.”

One positive aspect to come from the game was a first glimpse of new signings Gift Mussa – who arrived from Leamington – and Kidderminster Harriers loanee Harry Higginson in action.

Both started the game and were singled out for praise by Kelly, who added: “They were probably the two most positives things to come out of the game.

“Considering Gift hadn’t played 90 minutes for a while for Leamington, he looked really promising. Harry was also a positive performer from the game.”

£400 was raised at the game for charity Deafblind UK, followed by a further £200 towards Sports’ new clubhouse.

Understandably, the travelling fans were well received by the hosts, leading the Bromsgrove manager to pay tribute to the Sporting faithful.

“As with every home team that we play, they’re always chuffed when we go away because of the increased gates,” Kelly said.

“They really appreciated our lot and our relationship with them is really strong after the games last year – they spoke well of us and vice versa.

“The fans are always carrying themselves well when we go away and I can’t speak highly enough of them.”

A run of four-successive games at the Victoria Ground now faces the Rouslers, starting with the visit of lowly St Ives this weekend.

It provides an ideal opportunity for Bromsgrove to put right a mixed run of home form this season and improve their current standing of 11th in Southern League Premier Central.

“I don’t know whether it’s a good or a bad thing to be honest,” laughed Kelly.

“We’re near the bottom of the league for home form, but top of the away charts – if we don’t turn it around now, then we never will.

“We were missing six players last week, I predict we’ll have four of those back this week, we need to make the VG a fortress again. Our aim is to go unbeaten now until New Year’s Day.

“Of the goals we’ve conceded, 14 out of the 21 have been down to individual errors, I just can’t get my head around that but it cannot continue.”

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