BROMSGROVE Sporting are all set to create history this weekend when they make their first ever appearance in the FA Trophy.
The Rouslers welcome fellow Southern League Division One Central outfit Corby Town to the Victoria Ground on Saturday for an extra preliminary round tie, with a bumper crowd expected to be in attendance.
Winners of the match will pocket £2,000 and be rewarded with a home clash against Yaxley in the preliminary round to be played on Saturday, October 13.
Sporting boss Brendan Kelly is hoping for a four-figure crowd for the first time this season at the Victoria Ground having already seen 900-plus attendances on two occasions.
“It’s a huge day for the club and we will make sure we represent ourselves on and off the pitch in the best possible way,” he said.
“Hopefully we can give the crowd a good day out and fingers crossed we can get more than 1,000 fans down here.
“This is probably our best chance of doing so and I’m aware Corby are bringing a decent number of fans too which will be great to see.
“There’s no guarantee we will get more than 1,000 fans through the gates but it would be quite the achievement if we did so for our very first game in the FA Trophy.
“With the fact we have a home game in the next round against a side at the same level there is extra incentive for us to progress.
“I firmly believe if you are drawn against sides on a similar level as the rounds go by you have a great chance of going far in the competition.”
It has been ten years since Corby last visited the Victoria Ground.
They beat the now defunct Bromsgrove Rovers 2-0 in the Southern League Premier Division on February 9, 2008.
Corby head into the FA Trophy clash high on confidence after they beat higher-ranked Alvechurch 4-1 in the FA Cup last Saturday.
As for Sporting, they’ll be hoping for better fortunes following their 0-0 stalemate at fourth-from-bottom Aylesbury, their first goalless draw in the league since a Midland League Division One fixture against Pershore Town back in January 2015.
“Regardless of their FA Cup result, Corby have also started well in the league and are one of the favourites to win it so we’ll be in for a tough test,” added Kelly.
“I’ve had them watched so we know what they’re all about but we’ll be making sure we focus on ourselves.
“We will be making sure we prepare properly and ensuring the contribution levels are where they have been all season.”
Striker Cameron Peters is back to full fitness but Kelly will be without midfielders Danny Jackman (ankle) and Jack Creswell (wedding) as well as forward Jason Cowley (suspended).
Meanwhile, defender Tom Taylor is nearing a return to action.
Sporting fans may have also noticed goalkeeper Reece Francis was playing for Lye Town on Saturday in their Midland League Premier Division clash at Worcester City.
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Kelly confirmed this was a dual registration deal to ensure Francis maintained his fitness.
“Reece’s attitude has been impeccable,” he added.
“He’s only there to stay sharp so when the chance comes to start for us he’s not rusty.”
For those who are unable to attend on Saturday, you can follow the minute-by-minute action live on Twitter by heading over to @BromStandSport from 2.30pm. Kick-off at 3pm.
