BROMSGROVE SPORTING will be looking to book their place in the final of the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity cup tonight as they take on Northfield Town.
After falling short in the final of the Worcestershire Senior Urn against high-flying Midland League Premier Division side Alvechurch a week ago, the Rouslers will be hoping to book a spot in their second cup final against a side two divisions below them.
However, Northfield have shown tremendous spirit to reach this stage of the tournament, knocking out Sutton United and Rostance Edwards – both in the division above – and Rouslers boss Paul Smith is wary of the dangers they possess.
“It’s a very important game for us as we want to win every cup competition we enter,” he said.
“I know a lot of players and staff at Northfield and it will be their biggest game of the season, as it is for any side that comes to the Victoria Ground.
“They’ll be looking forward to tonight’s clash but it’s important that my players go out there and do the job.
“I’ll be giving youth a chance again but that doesn’t mean we’re a weaker side, it just shows our strength in depth and I have faith in the team I will be putting out on the pitch tonight.”
Ahead of tonight’s clash, youngsters Ethan Hanks, Lucky Nwosu and Dean Fisher – who all made an appearance for Sporting in the 2-0 victory over Earlswood Town in the previous round – are expected to make an appearance.
Following tonight’s game, Sporting return to league action on Thursday night where they will make the trip to Racing Club Warwick – a rearranged game following Saturday’s postponement.
And with Coventry United sitting atop the table following victories over Stafford Town and Lichfield City, Smith insists nothing less than three points will do.
“I’ve not got my squad in mind yet for Thursday but we are still in the hunt for promotion and with Coventry not slipping up, we can’t let that bother us,” he said.
“We have to go out there on Thursday and get the three points but playing two games in the space of three days is not ideal as the likes of Sam Wills, Jozsef Jakab, Luke Dugmore and Brendan Kelly are all struggling.
“The injuries have come at a bad time really but I’ll be juggling the balls a little in terms of the squad and hopefully we’ll get the three points.”
