BROMSGROVE Sporting will be hoping to book their place in the third round of the Buildbase FA Vase this weekend when they take on Lichfield City – just two weeks after beating their fellow Midland League Division One title rivals.
The Rouslers welcome City to the Victoria Ground on Sunday (November 13) looking to do a league and cup double over their opponents whom they beat 1-0 at the McDonald’s Community Stadium on October 29.
Jason Cowley’s first-half strike was enough to secure the three points for Paul Smith’s men who never really looked in any trouble throughout on that day as a defensive masterclass ensured City would not bring an end to their unbeaten start to the new league campaign.
But with that result still fresh in the minds of City, they will see Remembrance Sunday’s game as a chance to avenge that defeat and become only the second side this season to beat the Rouslers at their own ground – the first being Sporting Khalsa in the opening round of the Polymac Packaging League Cup in mid-September.
Sporting will have other ideas though, as they look to equal – and most certainly plan to better – their previous FA Vase record of reaching the third round in 2014 where they lost 2-1 to Thurby Nirvana.
And with a bumper crowd expected at the Victora Ground to watch these two top sides battle it out, the whole of Bromsgrove is bouncing and there’s no doubting the Rouslers have the ability to progress.
However, unlike their 5-3 after extra-time victory over Cadbury Athletic in the previous round as well as the 2-2 draw with Atherstone Town last Saturday in the league, Smith will most certainly be demanding his players to come out flying in the first-half.
Sporting were guilty of slow first 45 minutes in both those games where they found themselves 2-0 and 2-1 down respectively before putting on dominant second half displays to salvage results.
Like all sides which visit the Victoria Ground, City will be raising their game to take a huge scalp so expect an entertaining – and hopefully goal-filled – clash.
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