Market Drayton 1st XI 3 Bromsgrove 1st XI 2

BROMSGROVE'S mid-table aspirations in the West Midlands Division One were shot down by Market Drayton on Saturday.

Defeat means that the Boars are going to struggle to finish in the top half of the table.

Despite their lowly position Bromsgrove have a six point lead over the club directly below them, Yardley, and are in no immediate danger of falling into the bottom three.

Captain Julian Court still hopes his side can finish in a respectable position.

He said: "I don't think there's much danger of us going down as we have a healthy lead over the sides below us.

"We can still finish in the top half of the table if we can put some results together."

Bromsgrove's main problem is they are struggling to keep clean sheets and against a potent Drayton side were punished from set pieces.

Bromsgrove had started positively, but conceded a goal from a penalty corner early on.

Pete Hall wasted a chance to restore parity when he missed a penalty.

Matt Russell pulled his side level from a set piece just before half time.

The Boars' hopes of a getting something out of the game faded as they conceded two goals in quick succession.

Marcus Dawson was also sin-binned as Bromsgrove struggled to get to grips with the game.

Despite pulling a goal back with five minutes to go Bromsgrove found it hard to break down Drayton.

Court said: "Drayton had everybody in their own half throughout the last few minutes.

"We played really well at times but Drayton were too sharp for us on the day."

Bromsgrove will have to make their push up the table without the captain.

Court is part of the Forrest Nomads cricket side touring Africa in February.

Bromsgrove will be hoping to seal a league double over title chasing Walsall on Saturday (1pm start).

The captain said: "We've beat them once already this season so I'm hoping we can do it again."

Bromsgrove 3rd XI 0

Solihull Blossomfield 3rd XI 3

Tom Hawkins and Scott Hancox both had excellent games in midfield and shared man of the match despite defeat.

Bromsgrove 4th XI 1

Droitwich 4th XI 3

Bromsgrove's county rivals took advantage of their lack of a goalkeeper in the first half to score all their goals.

Bromsgrove Badgers 1

Solihull Blossomfield Badgers 2

Charlie Parke scored Bromsgrove's goal.