BOSS Paul Smith has reminded his Bromsgrove Sporting players to keep working hard and keep their feet grounded ahead of this weekend’s trip to Heanor Town.
In what is their debut season at Step Five, the Rouslers sit second in the Midland League Premier Division table, four points behind leaders Coleshill Town who have played two games more.
Sporting also have the best defensive record in the league, having conceded just eight times in 11 games.
But with a tough trip to well-supported Derbyshire side Heanor tomorrow (Saturday), Smith is urging his squad to stay focused and not get too carried away with their flying form.
“We have played Sporting Khalsa, Lye Town, Coventry United and Westfields, all of whom have title aspirations, and have picked up ten points from them so it bodes well for the future,” he said.
“But what is important is the players keep their feet grounded, work hard and listen to instructions.
“Heanor are going to be a formidable opponent on Saturday. They are a young and hungry side which loves to play football, very much like Leicester Road.
“However, we keep chalking these big games off and we go into Heanor full of confidence and I know the quality is in the squad to get the three points.”
After securing a 2-0 victory over Long Eaton United on Saturday, Sporting had to come from behind on Tuesday night to overcome a strong Westfields outfit 2-1.
Mark Magee gave the visitors a seventh-minute lead but second-half strikes from Jason Cowley and Robbie Bunn ensured Sporting would not be tasting a home defeat in the league for the first time since February last year.
And manager Smith admitted his players showed great character to turn the game around after getting a telling off in the changing rooms at half-time.
“I did not throw the teapot at them but I certainly gave the players both barrels,” he said.
“We did not perform in the first half and big players who have done well in recent weeks went missing.
“But the lads showed great character to turn things around in the second half and to have done that against a quality side like Westfields fills me with encouragement.
“I targeted seven points from the three games this week. We have six already so I am going to be greedy and say I want the full nine.”
