BROMSGROVE Sporting manager Paul Smith has encouraged fans to show their support tomorrow (Saturday) as they face title rivals Leicester Road.
Following the record attendance of 674 in their Midlands League Division One fixture against Pilkington XXX two weeks ago, Smith said he wants to see those kind of figures again at the Victoria Ground.
“The main reason I came to the club 18 months ago is because of the huge fan base it has,” he said.
“The fans have been tremendous and I hope and pray that they continue to turn up in their numbers. The players from not only our team, but also our opponents as well, rise to the occasion when there is this kind of support.”
The Rouslers will be looking to avenge the 5-1 defeat to their title rivals last September and they go in to the fixture with an injury-free squad.
Midfielder Luke Dugmore will not be involved, however.
His suspension has yet to be completed after Tuesday night’s postponement against Littleton in the Worcestershire Senior Urn semi-finals.
Smith however, isn’t fazed by Road’s attacking threat.
James Hicks is the Leicester man in form with 21 goals in 22 appearances all season.
“James is a quality striker from the league and would do well in the league above but I’m not going to single out one player,” said the Rouslers boss.
“They have a squad full of talent but as long as we concentrate on our football we can get the result.”
With Coventry United picking up a big 5-1 victory away at Pershore Town on Tuesday night, they moved four points clear of second-placed Sporting at the top of the table, with a game in hand.
But Smith believes that defeat to fellow contenders Leicester wouldn’t be the end of their promotion challenge.
He said: “We’ve already closed a nine-point gap on the league leaders to one point until Tuesday night’s game and I think defeat against Leicester wouldn’t be too big of a dent in our promotion bid.
“You just have keep picking up good results and currently we are in the mix as we are the playing the best football we can at the moment.
“Every game in this league is a test regardless of where a team is, but we’ll rise to the challenge this weekend.”
