Saturday, October 11, 2003

BROMSGROVE Rovers reached the final qualifying round of the FA Cup with a no-nonsense second half defensive display against Congleton Town at Booth Street.

First half goals from Marcus Jackson and Mark Benbow saw Rovers to their fourth away success in the competition - all without conceding a goal.

Rovers started brightly, creating and missing chances, before taking the lead on 11 minutes. Danny Scheppel's right wing cross was completely missed by Steve Frost, but the ball was only half cleared to Marcus Jackson and his deflected shot wrong footed Matt Conkie.

The Bears, giant killers of Hucknall Town in the last round, almost produced an equaliser on 23 minutes, but a combination of Paul Wyatt and Frost blocked a vicious close range shot from Michael Scully.

Mark Atkinson, a thorn in Congleton's side all game, set up Peter Sutton with a golden opportunity to double Rovers' advantage on the half hour, but his shot, when one-on-one, cannoned off Conkie's legs.

The Greens did add a second four minutes later. Benbow attempted to score direct from a corner for the second time in the match and this time succeeded when a slight deflection took the ball over the line via the underside of the crossbar.

Congleton came close to pulling one back five minutes from the break. Scott Williams' corner was met by Ben Kay, but Scheppel was well placed on the post to clear.

There were few chances in the second half with Rovers sitting on their lead and hitting on the break. Jackson broke down the left in one such breakaway before cutting inside and dragging a shot wide of the left hand post on 68 minutes.

All Congleton's attacks came down the left, but crosses were poor and easy fodder for Wyatt, who commanded his box superbly. The hosts had all the play once Jackson had missed, but were restricted to long-range shots that never threatened.

The Bears could not get around a defence well marshalled by Steve Pope and Benton.

ROVERS

Wyatt 7, Frost 7, Hillman 7, Pope 7, BENTON 8*, Beckett 6, Jackson 7, Scheppel 6, Sutton 6, Benbow 7, Atkinson (sub Banner 80 mins) 7. Subs not used: Dawson, Dyson, Tompkins, Gandy. Att: 544.

Report from STEVE RIDDICK.