IT WILL take another ‘Herculean’ performance to get past Buckland Athletic and reach the FA Vase semi-finals, warns Bromsgrove Sporting boss Paul Smith.
Today’s (Monday) Vase quarter-final draw has pitted the Rouslers against Athletic who currently sit fourth in the Toolstation Western League.
Smith’s men booked their place in the last eight with a remarkable 2-1 victory over Western League leaders Bristol Manor Farm on Saturday in front of a club record crowd of 1,487 at the Victoria Ground.
Two goals from Jason Cowley either side of half-time put the hosts in control before Troy Simpson netted seven minutes before full-time to set up a tense finish.
And after Simpson saw a ‘goal’ chalked off for offside moments later, Sporting survived the Manor Farm onslaught to record a remarkable victory.
However, the hard work isn’t over as Sporting will need to beat an Athletic side who are one of two other teams to have beaten Manor Farm in all competitions this season.
Boss Smith said: “It’s a very tough draw for us against a side in the same league as Bristol Manor Farm but it’s brilliant for the fans.
“We are excited for it as we have beaten teams in the league above but it is going to take another Herculean performance to win.
“However, we are more than capable of doing that but it’s important to put it to bed for now as we have other priorities before then.”
Sporting’s quarter-final clash has been scheduled for Saturday, February 18 but with ground-sharers Worcester City at home to FC Halifax Town that day, the game is expected to be moved to Friday or Sunday.
And after a successful first attempt of selling printed tickets in outlets across Bromsgrove for the game against Manor Farm, Smith has indicated Sporting will probably be doing the same again once a date has been confirmed.
The Sporting boss is also hopeful of breaking Saturday’s incredible attendance.
“I think we will be touching close to 2,000 fans for the game against Buckland,” he added.
“There’s a real buzz around town at the moment and I’m hoping the fans of the old Bromsgrove Rovers who have not been down and the numerous fans that enjoyed Saturday’s game as much as I did come again.”
