SPORTING boss Brendan Kelly re-iterated the need for his side to maintain performance levels approaching the season end, after last weekend’s stunning victory in Peterborough put the Rouslers top.
First-half goals from Jason Cowley and Kieran Westwood were enough to take Bromsgrove above the league leaders, despite conceding towards the end of the first-half, completing a double over Peterborough Sports in the process.
Sporting now sit top of Southern Division One Central by two points, but have played three games more than Peterborough at present.
Kelly was nevertheless delighted by Saturday’s victory, and believes it symbolised the strength of character of his team.
“The win gives a boost, as we’re the only team to go there and win,” he said.
“It doesn’t change the title or league table, but its a big statement for our season.
“We showed a lot of backbone and dug in deep to stand firm, especially towards the end when they began to pressure us.”
Sporting’s goals came ten minutes apart within the first 21 minutes of the game, leaving even the Rouslers manager stunned by the fast start.
“I was surprised, it was one of them where we’re going into the unknown having never played there before, and usually you give yourself ten to 15 minutes to play your way into the game.
“But we set out the traps and looked excellent, preparation leading up to the game was great from the lads.
“For us to take them by surprise like that, and the fact that we could’ve had more goals, was a big positive.”
A goal in the 33th minute courtesy of Dion Sembie-Ferris drew the game back into contention, and Kelly admits his side did well to adjust to the game becoming tight again.
“It adjusted our half-time team talk slightly, we were aware of the dangers that they posed, and Peterborough’s planning would have come into it in that situation.
“It was a decent goal from them, but it could’ve been avoided. We kept compact and made it difficult for them after that.”
Kelly was keen to point to the impact of the travelling Rouslers faithful, who he claims played an important part in clinching victory.
“I can’t thank the fans enough, they were incredible.
“We made the effort to speak to all of them after the game, we enjoy a good bond with the supporters which we want to maintain.
And despite all of the excitement around the club that has followed since going top at the weekend, the Sporting boss was keen to remain focused on the task at hand.
“It’s just good to get points on the board.
“How the league is decided is out of our hands, all we can do is keep winning games.
“We’re in good form and Saurday’s win gives us a big boost, but it won’t change our approach to the remaining fixtures too much.”
Sporting now look to build on the crucial win when they host bottom-of-the-league North Leigh, who Sporting beat 5-1 in the reverse fixture in November.
Despite it being a case of top against bottom at the Victoria Ground on Saturday (3pm), Kelly maintains the need to treat the fixture like any other, and to fully prepare for their threats.
“The score [in the reverse fixture] flattered us, we made some changes in that game, but it was the substitutes who had a huge impact on the day.
“They caused us problems, and we’ll be wary of their threats, but we’ll be full of confidence going into the game.”
Meanwhile, Sporting have announced that the club, along with Bromsgrove Sporting Colts, have been accredited Charter Standard Community Club status by the FA.
It allows the club to open up further avenues for funding, achieving accreditation through developing a five-year football development plan – detailing how the Rouslers intend to continue to develop and grow as a club.
Sarah Titmus has been credited for her part in the club achieving the new status, after liasing with the Sporting and Colts’ football committee’s to produce the necessary documents for the FA.
