FOLLOWING an indifferent pre-season, Bridgnorth kick off their league campaign against Oadby Town tomorrow.
After securing Midland Alliance football for a third consecutive year a terrible run of defeats saw Town end last season on something of a low note.
Pre-season has again been a roller-coaster ride, with a good win being followed up by two defeats to lower league opposition.
The new look squad made up mostly of under 23 players will go into tomorrow’s match with nothing to lose, hoping the young exuberance of the side – many of whom have moved up from the reserve team – holds them in good stead come the end of the season.
A run of one win, one draw and three defeats has left new manager Lee Mills with plenty to think about, especially with Town’s unenviable history of opening day defeats.
His faith in his young side is likely to be severely tested this season but Mills, who has seen a lot of quality football during his playing and coaching days, will dig deep to get the best out of the Crown Meadow men.
Bridgnorth will also be hoping for a big turnout on Tuesday evening when they welcome Tipton Town to Crown Meadow.
Town 0 Lye Town 2
A 2-0 home defeat to a team who finished in the lower reaches of the West Midlands Premier last season, one division below Bridgnorth, was not on the cards pre-season.
But a strong Lye Town came with an upset in mind and went away worthy winners on Saturday, giving Town something to think about before the big game against Oadby.
Dudley Town 2 Town 1
A Ryan Guryn strike on 40 minutes was the only consolation for the visitors who lost to lower league opposition by a single late goal.
Two great goals from Dudley centre-forward Chris Knight sealed victory for the Robins, who came from a goal down to secure victory last Wednesday evening.
Town 4 Continental Star 1
TWO goals in five minutes turned the game around for Town as they fought back to claim their first pre-season victory on Tuesday.
The home side were caught off guard against the Midland Combination Premier Division side, finding themselves a goal down after five minutes.
But Bridgnorth worked hard to recover the ball and went into the break with the upper hand following an Andy Rich brace on 20 and 25 minutes.
Town made it 3-1 on 71 minutes when Jamie Porters took advantage of some sloppy defensive work to feed a through ball to Matthews, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
Tom Whitney provided the goal of the night with an 18 yard strike, which thundered into the net and gave the home side a much deserved win.