BRENDAN Kelly is hoping to create some FA Cup “fever” this weekend when Bromsgrove Sporting host Welwyn Garden City in the third qualifying round.
Sporting returned to winning ways in midweek with a hard-fought 2-1 success against Hednesford Town at the Victoria Ground.
Cameron Ebbutt had a hand in both goals as he continued his rich vein of form after netting twice against Worksop Town in the previous round of the cup.
The Rouslers named three teenagers in the starting lineup for their last league outing and boss Kelly is confident his young side can rise to the ocassion.
Kelly said: “Momentum is key, we’re starting to find the right mix now because we’ve got such a young side.
“Hopefully, we’ll have a really full ground and that’ll bring some FA Cup fever.
“I hope the town really get behind us and create some good memories.
“It’ll be the biggest game of their careers for some of our young lads, they’ve got to play with no fear like they have done this season.
“I’ll be expecting the boys to win as long as we prepare right and the mentality is right.”
Sporting were victorious in midweek despite the torrential conditions largely thanks to the contributions of Ebbutt.
The versatile forward won and then converted a 52nd minute penalty before delivering the set-piece for Joel Kettle’s winner.
That came after Reece Flanagan had equalised for Hednesford on 76 minutes after moving into the box and finding the bottom corner.
However, Sporting restored their lead just three minutes later when Ebbutt’s delivery was met by the head of Kettle to secure the points.
Manager Kelly stressed the importance of returning to winning ways following defeat to Royston in their previous league outing.
He said: “To bounce back with a win was vital, good teams do always bounce back well and over the years we’ve done that.
“We didn’t want to have a vacant week from the league campaign with the hangover of a draw or a defeat, it’s a vital win, it’s a huge three points.
“The rain was coming down for 90 minutes but the pitch was fantastic, I take my hat off to the groundstaff, the ball didn’t leave the surface too much.
“It was a high tempo, high quality game, the decision making was very good, the conditions didn’t hamper us at all.”
The win leaves Sporting in ninth place in the Southern League Premier Division Central table ahead of a tricky run of fixtures.
Sporting v Welywn Garden City kicks off at 3pm tomorrow at the Victoria Ground.
