Tuesday, March 18, 2003

FOUR first half goals ensured Bromsgrove Rovers won their first match in three with a 5-2 success over Cinderford Town at the Victoria Ground.

It was not vintage Rovers but two strikes from Richard Burgess and goals for Grant Beckett, Mark Benbow and Steve Frost handed Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's side three valuable points in the Dr Martens Western promotion chase.

Joint manager Ford said: "The biggest thing tonight is the fact that we have won.

"We created a lot of chances and we were so positive in what we did.

"We deservedly won and comfortably."

Rovers, beaten 2-1 at Bedworth and 1-0 by Evesham in their last two games, took time to get going although Burgess and Palmer tested visiting goalkeeper Andy Fisher with some early sighters.

Rovers were ahead on 23 minutes when Burgess started and finished a close range move involving Frost and Palmer.

Within 90 seconds it was 2-0 when Steve Lutz' shot hit the underside of the crossbar and came back out for Frost to scramble home.

Lutz had two more first half efforts saved for the hosts while Daryl Addis headed wide for Cinderford.

With half time approaching, Rovers added two more goals in a minute.

First, Beckett bundled the ball over the line with the help of visiting defender Clayton Hook after Benbow had crossed.

Then, Beckett turned provider to play in Burgess who sprinted 30 yards before cooly slotting home number four from just inside the penalty area.

Bromsgrove took their foot off the gas at the start of the second period and were guilty of sloppy passing and giving the ball away cheaply.

It was litle surprise therefore that Cinderford, with three substitutes on, pulled one back on 51 minutes when Paul Donnelly stabbed the ball home.

Cinderford's Jason Hoskins was booked 11 minutes later for a high challenge, which saw Burgess kicked in the face.

Any nerves were calmed on 70 minutes as Benbow rose at the far post to nod home the fifth via goalkeeper and post from Burgess' left wing cross.

But the visitors were not quite finished, adding a second to their tally with three minutes left when Scott Griffin weaved his way through a static backline to beat Matt Lowe.

ROVERS

Lowe 7, Benbow 7, Ford 6, Clifton 7, Lutz 7, Pope (sub Hyde 80 mins) 8, Dyson (sub Cartwright 78 mins) 6, Beckett 7, Burgess 8, PALMER (sub Blake 78 mins) 8*, Frost 6. Subs not used: Collins, Hateley.

Attendance - 242.