BROMSGROVE Sporting manager Brendan Kelly has called for his side to "play with no fear" when they welcome National League side Grimsby Town in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round on Saturday.

Just one game stands in the way of Sporting reaching the first round proper for the very first time in their short history and boss Kelly dos not want his side to shrink in the big occasion.

"It's a massive opportunity for these lads to go and enjoy it," he said.

"Play with no fear, it's a free hit - leave it all out there on the pitch. These games don't come along regularly.

"For some of these boys it's the biggest game they'll have ever played and for others, it might be the last big game they play.

"It's not Manchester City coming to town, they are a non-league side still, despite being in the Football League last season.

"I don't want the players to be too in awe of them, it's 11 against 11 and sometimes in cup football anything can happen. We have to try and prepare the boys for all eventualities."

Sporting reached the final round of qualifying after the 1-0 win over Welwyn Garden City but in the main, have had a relatively up and down 2021/22 campaign so far.

They currently sit mid-table in the Southern League Premier Central and have lost their last two games in the league.

Before that, they had lost just one match in 10 games in all competitions and manager Kelly knows his side need to rediscover that form and be "positive" if they stand any chance this weekend.

"We cannot wait for things to happen, we have to be on the front foot and be positive," he added.

"We don't know how they will approach the game, they might be calculated early on and wait to see what we are capable of and then try and pick us off.

"But we will have the bigger support behind us and the boys will have that comfort there at least.

"We have to make sure our game plan is spot on and everything is implemented to the best of our ability. We have to use our initiative, react in moments and we haven't done that last two games.

"If we don't, it could be a disaster for us."

On the talk of the fans, Kelly has challenged them to make the occasion as "difficult as possible" for their higher-league opponents.

"We need them not just from the first whistle, we need them from the warm up," he insisted.

"We need them making noise, singing songs.; when we go on the attack, get behind us, don't wait for things to happen, we need them to roar us on and get us going.

"There have been occasions this season when they've been a bit quiet and we only hear them when we score or the referee makes a bad decision.

"But I need them to back us from the first minute and make it difficult for Grimsby, make it as hard as we possibly can. That's what happens when small teams play big teams.

"They wont know what to expect, they won't have played here before. Make them uneasy and create a big atmosphere."

BBC cameras will be at the Victoria Ground for the game, national press will be in attendance and a packed out crowd will watch on as Sporting look to create history in reaching the first round proper for the first time (not including Bromsgrove Rovers).

Kelly admits it's been a hectic few days but still has had time to reflect on what is the biggest day of his managerial career.

"I played in a cup final back home in Ireland but I have not gone this far in the cup as a manager," he added.

"This was an objective from the board, to have a cup run. We have achieved that so far and this is the furthest I have gone.

"A couple of boys have been involved in further rounds but it's totally new for me and a lot of the players, so it's important to embrace the occasion but still enjoy it but for me, it's the biggest game for me as manager.

"I am looking forward to the tactical battle and hopefully keep the tie as tight as we can but everyone has to play really well to stand a chance, all throughout the squad."

Kick-off at the Victoria Ground is 12.20pm and you can watch the game live on the BBC Red Button, Sport website and app, and iPlayer.