- Needham Market have won 12 of their 18 home matches, letting in an average of 1.28 goals per game at their own ground.
- Bromsgrove Sporting has only won three times on the road this season, losing on nine occasions.
- The last four head-to-head meetings have been evenly split (W2, D0, L2), with Needham winning the last clash 3-0 away.
Two teams moving in opposite directions
The hosts are currently 9th in the Southern League Premier Division Central table having secured 57 points from 36 matches this season. They have been consistently solid throughout the season but the current form hasn’t been too strong (W2, D1, L2), losing the previous two.
Tom Rothery has done well to continue the solid structure that Kevin Horlock had built at the club in the previous season. They like to control games by dominating possession, building up in a structured manner and playing wide to get their numerous wide players into the game.
Bromsgrove Sporting has had a much more up and down season than their hosts, currently sitting in 17th in the same division with 38 points from 37 games. They have had some moments of promise, notably their last match which was a morale-boosting 2-0 win away to Spalding United, but consistency has alluded them.
They are a pacy side that thrive on turnovers and quick transitions, as well as high intensity pressing in patches. Scott Adey-Linforth has tried to bring a bit of structure since taking over but the managerial changes this season have stunted their progression.
Home advantage will play a key part
Good Friday’s clash will be a real chess match between a possession-based side who wants to control the game and a team who will try to hit you on the counter-attack with pace. Who controls the midfield and second balls will be key.
Luke Benbow has been one of Bromsgrove Sporting’s key threats this season; he has two of their five recent goals. He is the focal point and will be a key player in this match.
Bromsgrove Sporting has never won away at Needham Market and this won’t be an easy task for them. Needham Market are the favourites at 51/100 whilst the visitors come in as outsiders at 211/50. I believe the hosts have a real chance here and will be looking to grind out a result and their home form backs that up. They have won their previous two at home and haven’t lost in their previous two home games. The ‘Both teams to score - No’ market catches my eye at 26/25 given the respective stats of Bromsgrove Sporting away and Needham Market at home.
