BROMSGROVE Sporting boss Paul Smith talks to the Standard ahead of Saturday’s crunch match against Leicester Road.
BROMSGROVE Sporting boss Paul Smith is hoping hundreds of fans can help roar his team to victory when they take on Leicester Road in a ‘six-pointer’ promotion clash tomorrow (Saturday).
A big crowd is expected at the Victoria Ground (3pm kick-off) when league leaders Bromsgrove take on third-placed Leicester in the Midland League Division One clash.
Sporting go into the much-anticipated clash in fine form having won their past three matches, taking them top of the league and booking a place in the last 16 of the FA Vase for the first time in their history.
Bromsgrove, unbeaten in 20 league games this season, know victory would push them six points clear of rival challenges Leicester Road.
Smith, who has a full-strength side to choose from, said the fans will have an important part to play on Saturday and for the remainder of the campaign.
“Saturday has got the makings of a great game and I’m expecting a big crowd to come and get behind us,” he told the Standard.
“The fans have got a massive part to play, there’s no doubt about that. They have been our 12lth man so many times this season and when they get behind us they are the best fans around.
“You only have to look at the reaction we had at Sun Sports and at Hinckley to see how much they are enjoying seeing us play and winning games.
“The town is awash with everything that is going on with the football club which is great to see.”
Smith described the match as a six-pointer, knowing a win could give his side a big advantage in the title race.
“Leicester Road are a very young and energetic team and can play some very good football,” he said. “They are a dangerous side who are only three points behind us so it is a huge game, a six pointer in my opinion.
“We go into this game in great form and knowing if we can play the way we can do then we can win the game and move clear of them.”
Smith has been boosted ahead of the big clash with both skipper Craig Jones and recent signing Liam Spink returning to full fitness.
Smith said he faces a tough call picking his squad of 16 players for tomorrow’s contest.
“The hard thing for me is picking a squad of 16 when we’ve got a great selection of 19/20 players vying for a place in the starting line-up,” said the Rouslers boss.
“I’m lucky that all the players are vying into what I am trying to do which is obviously to win the league and go as far as we can in the Vase, the Worcestershire Senior Urn and the Smedley Crooke Cup.
“And because we are fighting on four fronts it is important we have a squad of 19/20 very good footballers.”
