Play-off hero departs Pitmen to step up as duo record pre-season wins

Former Liverpool youngster Bearne netted a clinching second in May's play-off final victory over Congleton at Keys Park to earn promotion back to step three.

He has now made the switch to Oxford City on an undisclosed fee and will compete at step two in National League North for the Hoops, who finished 19th in that division last term.

Bearne said of his exit: "Thank you to everyone at the club who welcomed me from day one. Your support last season was unbelievable and we wouldn’t have got promoted without you.

"I’ll never forget that goal in the play off final which will stick with me forever! I wish you all the best in the future.

"I loved every minute of my time here."

Former Kidderminster Harriers loanee Bearne, who hails from Nottingham, moved to Keys Park last summer after making the switch from Scottish Championship outfit Greenock Morton. He scored nine times in 40 games.

He spent six years within the youth set-up at Liverpool, having moved there from Notts County in 2017.

Meanwhile, Stourbridge got their pre-season campaign under new boss Darryl Knights under way with a 4-2 win over Dudley Town at Stourbridge Rugby's Stourton Park.

Ari-Jae Shaw, Ethan Freemantle, Brad Bood and a trialist netted in a 4-2 win in front of almost 600 fans.

Rushall Olympic beat a Birmingham City XI 2-0 with Anthony Dwyer and Toumani Sidibe on target.

Both games observed periods of reflection following the tragic loss of Liverpool and former Wolves striker Diogo Jota.