Bromsgrove Sporting are used to being the underdogs in The Buildbase FA Vase, but that is just how manager Paul Smith likes it as they prepare to face Cleethorpes Town in the two-legged semi-final.
The Midlands League Division One side have beaten higher tier opposition in the last two rounds, knocking out Bristol Manor Farm 2-1, before seeing off Buckland Athletic 2-0 in front of a record crowd.
But the challenges keep getting tougher, with Cleethorpes seven points clear in the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division.
Despite the magnitude of the task, Smith feels his side have every chance of reaching a Wembley final.
“It is huge, probably the biggest game in the club’s history on Saturday,” he said.
“I went up to Cleethorpes last week to watch them, so I have put the miles in – just like with every other round – to go and have a look
“I was really impressed with what I saw, they look like a very well-drilled and organised side. “They will be the best side I have come up against this year and we will really have to show our mettle.
“People have written us off in the last three rounds because we were in a lower division than the teams we were playing, and I think that if we do perform at our best over two legs then we do have a chance.”
Bromsgrove enter the contest unbeaten in the league this season with 21 wins from 26 games.
But it is the side’s cup run which has really captured the imagination with a record crowd of more than 3,000 expected at the Victoria Ground on Saturday.
“But we have performed very well this year and it will come down to who is looking good on the day. We are unbeaten in the league this season, so I know we are playing well,” added Smith.
“Losing is not a habit. We have lost two cup games all season and won 95 per cent of our games so we are right where we need to be, it has been tremendous so far.
“Now we just have to top it off for our fan base at this level and get them to Wembley.
“It is an unbelievable achievement for a side playing at our level to get to a semi-final, and the buzz it has created around the ground is brilliant – we are up to 3,500 capacity for this game. It has captured the imagination of the whole town.
“No one thought for a minute we would get this far, but we have been tremendous this year. It is testament to the hard work going in all around the club.”
FA Vase history
Bromsgrove Sporting reached third round in 2014-15, but this run to the last four is the furthest they have ever progressed in the competition.
Cleethorpes previous best came last term with a fifth round appearance.
Did you know?
Bromsgrove Sporting was founded in 2009 by a supporters’ consortium with Bromsgrove Rovers facing closure. Part of the club’s constitution states no one can hold more than a 10 per cent stake.
One to watch
Midfielder Robbie Bunn has played a pivotal part in Bromsgrove Sporting’s rise this season, pulling the strings in midfield and providing plenty of energy and bite.
The prize
A place at Non-League Finals Day on Sunday 21 May is the ultimate reward, but the victors after the second leg on March 18 will earn £4,500 in prize money with the losing club taking home £1,500.
