SPORTING boss Brendan Kelly says he is quietly confident about his side’s chances of success, after making an unbeaten start to life in the Southern Premier League Central.
A 3-1 comeback win away to Tamworth on Tuesday night followed up on a 1-1 draw at the Victoria Ground against Biggleswade Town, with goals from Richard Gregory, Shaquille McDonald and Kyle Perry handing the Rouslers a first win at step three.
Despite the victory, Kelly says it wasn’t all plain sailing on the night, with Rhys Hoenes firing home a third-minute penalty, after he was brought down inside the box by Liam Spink, to subject Bromsgrove to the worst possible start.
“It was a very pleasing result, but I was pulling my hair out after the first ten or 15 minutes,” he said.
“We didn’t start the game well, we lacked belief – it was identical to our start on Saturday.
“But after we got a foothold, we seemed to grow into the game.”
A couple of chances fell the way of McDonald, who first saw his header tipped over by Jas Singh before firing a volley over the bar, but it was Rouslers favourite Gregory who pulled them back on level terms.
He made a pinpoint run to meet Charlie Dowd’s cross and send a commanding header into the back of the net, a goal which further spurred Sporting on to get the go-ahead goal.
And seven minutes before half time, they found it, courtesy of new boy McDonald – who picked up Gregory’s defence-splitting pass to finish expertly,
Bromsgrove resumed control of the game after the restart, albeit suffering a scare when James Fry’s overhit cross hit the frame of Breeden’s bar.
In a half of few chances, Chris Cox was shown a straight red for the frustrated hosts in the dying minutes, moments before Perry sealed victory.
He met Josh Quaynor’s corner from close range in the fourth minute of stoppage time, handing Kelly and co. their first three points of the season to build upon.
“I’m quietly confident about what we can do this season,” said the Bromsgrove manager.
“To go to the league favourites, on a 3G pitch, and put that performance in was fantastic.
“We’re buoyed with confidence and it gives the lads belief that we can go and match any team in this league.
“We’re unbeaten, and it will only increase confidence, we’re learning off the pitch and on it every game, and we’ve learned loads already.
“We have started to get into our game plan, there’s lots to do and work on, but it’s a positive start.
Bromsgrove face another away trip this Saturday (3pm) when heading to Leicestershire side Coalville Town – an outfit who finished sixth and just five points outside of the play-offs last term.
The Sporting boss believes the formula of going for games, which worked so well for them last season, is still the way to go in the current campaign.
“It’s a huge assignment being in this league, there’s no point being in the division if we’re not going to try and challenge,” said Kelly.
“We made a few notes to work on after Tamworth, but we always try to win games, we have to be forward thinking.
“We’re not the sort of team to soak up pressure and hit on the counter, but so far, so good.”
He confirmed that defender Tom Taylor is set for four to five weeks on the sidelines, after chipping a bone against Biggleswade, and is looking as a replacement to provide cover as a result.
Leon Broadhurst, meanwhile, returns to training today (Thursday) for his first session since suffering a pre-season injury, and will be back in contention for the upcoming games.
