Saturday, January 18, 2003

BROMSGROVE Rovers gained another valuable three points in their quest for back-to-back promotions with a sound display in a 2-1 victory at Atherstone United.

Rovers, who stay top of the Dr Martens Western, were in front from their first attack. The move was started and finished by Kevin Banner, who's cross field ball was helped on by James Dyson, headed down by Paul Danks and Banner ran in to hammer the ball home.

Banner almost added to his tally on 12 minutes but his header from Mark Benbow's cross was well saved by Adders goalkeeper Dale Belford.

The visitors, with new signing Darren Bullock impressive in midfield, continued to apply pressure on the Atherstone goal in a fiercely contested match. Richard Burgess forced Belford into a point blank save on 33 minutes and a minute later Roger Hunter stopped Banner from making it two.

At the other end, it was Hunter who almost scored with the home side's first real attacking move on 37 minutes, his header needing to be cleared by Benbow.

An eventful 45th minute saw two more goals. Firstly Rovers went 2-0 in front when Matt Southwick and Bullock combined to set Benbow away and his cross was mis-punched by Belford for Danks to tap home.

Straight from the kick-off, Grant Beckett lost a ball in midfield and Jez Carpenter swung over a right-wing cross, which the Rovers defence missed, and Kevin Charley swept the ball under Matt Lowe.

Beckett, an earlier substitute for Dyson, was himself replaced on 47 minutes by Ashley Read. Three minutes later, Steve Frost played a beautiful one-two with Bullock before firing a shot just over.

Neil Cartwright and Bullock controlled midfield and Atherstone were resulting to long hopeful punts up field to take off some of the pressure.

Bullock glided unmarked onto a Banner free-kick on the hour mark but placed his header wide. Belford thwarted Danks 60 seconds later and a minute on from that, Burgess' chip was again saved. Five minutes later Belford also smothered Read's shot.

Danks was put through on goal by Cartwright on 73 minutes but again Belford saved and Benbow headed Read's cross wide on 77 minutes. Two minutes from time, Belford produced his best save, stopping Banner's free-kick.

Although Atherstone showed plenty of fight and spirit they were second best to a Rovers side that but for goalkeeper Belford and some equally poor finishing could have reached double figures.

ROVERS

Lowe 6, Benbow 7, Banner 7, Brookes 8, Bullock 8, Southwick 8, Dyson (sub Beckett 17 mins (sub Read 47 mins 6), Cartwright 7, Burgess 6 (sub 70 mins Palmer 6), Danks 7, FROST 9* Subs not used: Thomas, Hackett.

Att - 318.

Match report by BRIAN PERRY.