BROMSGROVE Sporting manager Paul Smith has paid tribute to the ‘phenomenal’ fans following their biggest attendance of the season so far over the weekend.
In front of a 567-strong crowd at the Victoria Ground on Saturday, the Rouslers moved to the summit of the Midland League Division One table with a 4-2 victory over bogey side Nuneaton Griff – the only team to do the double over Smith’s side last season.
Jack Wilson and Robbie Bunn fired Sporting into a 2-0 half-time lead before Tony Clarke added the third after the restart.
Two goals from Keinan Palmer for Griff in the final ten minutes set up a tense finish but Chris Conway eased Sporting’s worries with a fine finish from the edge of the area in injury time to secure the win and extend their unbeaten league run to eight games.
And with Sporting topping the attendance charts across the country for Step 6, closely pipping City of Liverpool (559) to top spot, Smith hopes the fans keep on coming out in their numbers.
“The support is absolutely phenomenal,” he said. “Saturday was the closest attendance to that unbelievable day against Coventry United last year where almost a thousand people came out to watch.
“The crowds make a huge difference, not only to myself but more importantly the players too and you can tell that from what they have said on social media.
“The support is frightening and hopefully the performance and entertainment which was on offer on Saturday is enough to bring them out again at our next home game.
“More than doubling the average gate since I first arrived is arguably my best achievement.”
Sporting are away from the Victoria Ground this weekend as they make the long trip up the M6 to take on Uttoxeter Town on Saturday (3pm KO).
And with Keenan Meakin-Richards back from holiday, Smith has a full squad at his disposal as the Rouslers bid to cement their place at the top of the table.
“For the very first time this season I’ve got a full squad and it’s going to give me some tough selection headaches,” Smith added.
“Uttoxeter are not having the best of times but it does not matter what they’re doing, we have to focus on ourselves and we are going up there in fine fettle.
“I don’t want the first side to beat us to be ourselves. We are playing some great football and the squad I have put together for this level of football is second to none.
“However, it’s a case of making sure the squad keeps working as hard as it has done and it will keep winning games.”
