ANDY NICOL believes Bromsgrove Sporting have got nothing to lose when they take on Bristol Manor Farm in the last 16 of the FA Vase this weekend.
Having already knocked out higher-ranked Sun Sports at the start of January with an emphatic 4-0 victory, the Rouslers striker believes the team can continue making history and book their place in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Manor Farm currently sit top of the Toolstation Western League in the level above but with hopes of a record-breaking attendance at the Victoria Ground, Nicol says the fans will play a key part.
“The fans have been terrific both home and away,” he told the Standard. “I know it is easy to say that when we are winning but having that constant support is what we need right now.
“We are all looking forward to the Vase game and we have got nothing to lose at the end of the day.
“They [Bristol Manor] are higher ranked so they will be favourites but with them coming down to us, we can have the fans behind us and I am sure we can get the win if all of the players work hard together.”
Sporting go into the game on the back of Saturday’s 1-0 victory over fellow Midland League Division One title rivals Leicester Road courtesy of Robbie Bunn’s 47th-minute strike.
Ahmed Ali also saw his second half penalty saved after Jason Cowley was brought down in the area but Sporting held on to claim a vital three points which extended their unbeaten league run to 21 games.
Despite the narrow victory, Nicol believed the Rouslers deserved more out of the game.
“It was a great win especially after beating AFC Hinckley the week before,” he added. “We dominated the game from the first whistle.
“Leicester Road did look dangerous and had some good footballers in their side but we had the majority of the possession and chances and they were lucky to get away with a 1-0 defeat.
“On the balance of play Ahmed was unlucky with his penalty and we had a few cleared off the line so we deserved to win by at least three or four goals.
“The last two league games have been really important because they were against our title rivals but it’s time to focus on the Vase game now.”
