Tuesday, October 7, 2003

BROMSGROVE Rovers made it six league and cup games unbeaten with a 3-0 victory over Ilkeston Town last night.

Two Steve Frost headers and a Marcus Jackson fluke goal inside 21 minutes gave George Rooney's side the points.

Until that point, Rovers could do no wrong and had Frost, excellent in the first half, not squandered a guilt edge chance for a hat-trick before the half hour a cricket score looked in the offing.

The hosts, without Steve Pope, took the lead just three minutes into the game. Jackson's left wing cross swerved on its way across the box and caught Andy Lowe off guard and the Ilkeston goalkeeper could only tip the ball into his net.

On 12 minutes it was 2-0. Peter Sutton had a shot blocked, Danny Scheppel played the loose ball back into the area and Frost, up from the back, looped a header over Lowe.

Rovers were now causing Ilkeston all sorts of problems and the lead was extended still further nine minutes later. Grant Beckett provided an excellent corner and Frost, unmarked, rose above everybody to head powerfully home.

Frost should have had his treble four minutes later. Lowe failed to hold on to Mark Benbow's free-kick and Frost blazed the loose ball over with his left foot from six yards.

From then on the half ground to a halt with neither side pressing although Rovers looked the more dangerous.

Ilkeston had the first real chance of a lacklustre second half, but Chris Thompson put the ball past the post from a left wing cross.

The visitors, although creating little of note, edged the second period with Rovers seemingly content with their lead.

Mark Atkinson had a chance to make it four with eight minutes left. Jackson's through ball found the former Aston Villa trainee who ran into the area but had his effort blocked well by Lowe.

ROVERS

Wyatt 6, FROST 8*, Hillman 7, Banner 6, Benton 7, Beckett 8, Jackson 7, Scheppel 7, Sutton (sub Swan 76 mins) 6, Benbow 7, Atkinson (sub Dawson 90 mins) 8. Subs not used: Gandy, Tomkins, Henry.

Att - 356.