Saturday, August 23, 2003

THREE second half goals helped Bromsgrove Rovers to win a hard fought victory against the Moatmen of Gresley Rovers.

Strikes from Marcus Jackson on 50 minutes, Sam Bowen's penalty on 67 minutes and Kevin Banner on 83 minutes sealed the points.

George Rooney was forced into an early change on eight minutes when Grant Beckett limped off and was replaced by man of the match Chris Dawson.

Gresley were the more enterprising up to half time with Paul Wyatt making comfortable saves twice from Neil Kitching and once from Andy Bourne.

Bromsgrove's only move of note came on 12 minutes when Marcus Jackson's right wing cross was headed over by Bowen.

The second half nearly had a dramatic start as Mark Benbow shot from half way to surprise Gresley goalkeeper Mark Shields but his effort was saved.

The visitors led five minutes after the break. Dawson won a challenge, set up Mark Jones, who's excellent through ball put Jackson in the clear to cut inside and hammer the ball home.

Andy Cheetham's clumsy challenge on Bowen in the area on 66 minutes gave Rovers a penalty, rifled in by Bowen.

Gresley lost goalkeeper Shields on 71 minutes and outfield player Ian Bluck replaced him in goal.

Rovers struck their third goal seven minutes from time. Another great pass from Dawson put Banner in on goal and he fired past Bluck.

Substitute Peter Sutton had two good chances to extend Rovers' lead, one of which was cleared off the line.

ROVERS

Wyatt 7, Frost 7, Hillman 7, Pope 7, Beckett (sub DAWSON 8* mins) 7, Benbow 6, Jackson 7, Scheppel 7, Bowen (sub Sutton 85 mins) 6, Jones (sub Atkinson 85 mins) 6, Banner 6. Subs not used: Gandy, Ruck.

Att - 355.

Match report by BRIAN PERRY.