Saturday, August 16, 2003

TWO goals from on-loan striker Mark Jones got Bromsgrove Rovers off to a winning start.

Jones hit the target on 13 and 38 minutes to hand George Rooney's side an opening day Dr Martens Western victory over Taunton Town.

And if Rovers want to continue the winning habit they could do with making Jones' one-month loan from Hednesford Town permanent.

Jones, on target with all three of his first half efforts, took both his goals in emphatic style. Firstly, swivelling well on a Marcus Jackson cross to fire home right footed from 18 yards and later setting himself to neatly despatch Danny Scheppel's pass.

He was Rovers' only strike threat and may have scored more had he taken the chances Sam Bowen missed.

Bowen, Rovers' top marksman with 20 the season before last, wasted two golden opportunities and was unfortunate with another.

On two minutes he couldn't stretch far enough to connect with Jackson's delightful right wing cross and seven minutes later dwelt on the ball ten yards out, allowing Paul Edwards to smother it at his feet.

And just past the hour mark the former rugby player for Luctonians got free and had acres of space to run at Edwards but instead shot tamely wide from 35 yards.

Taunton led on eight minutes. Gary Fisher avoided the offside trap and crossed for Derek Fields to head the West Country side in front.

Rovers were level five minutes later when Jackson, who terrorised left back Grantley Dicks with his pace all afternoon, crossed for Jones' first.

Rovers went ahead seven minutes from the break. Danny Scheppel played the ball to Jones who had time to pick his spot from 12 yards.

Jackson could twice have increased the hosts' advantage in the second half with long range efforts, one being tipped on to the crossbar by Edwards.

But tough-tackling Taunton did leave their own mark on the game. With 90 seconds left, Rovers' 17-year-old goalkeeper James Dormond was kicked in the face during a 50-50 challenge and was stretchered off wearing a neck brace.

Replacement Ian Gandy then saved the game with a last gasp block from susbstitute Justin Porter.

ROVERS

Dormond (sub Gandy 90 mins) 6, Benton 6, Hillman 6, Pope 7, Dyson 6, Benbow (sub Banner 83 mins) 6, Jackson 8, Scheppel 7, Bowen (sub Dawson 72 mins) 6, JONES 8*, Tompkins 7. Subs not used: Frost, Atkinson.

Att - 329.