Saturday, January 24, 2004

OVERALL this was a very poor performance from a sad and sorry Rovers with the visitors coming from behind in the second half to deservedly gain victory, writes Chris Fox.

Bedworth were simply better in all departments of the field and only poor finishing and a lucky offside call prevented an bigger margin of victory for United.

The visitors found the net on 17 minutes when Paul Wyatt failed to claim a left-wing free kick from Martin Crowley and Guy Hadland headed the ball home from close range. But Bromsgrove were saved by the assistant referee's flag.

Another escape followed four minutes later. Kirk Smith was allowed space on the right before drilling a low shot that beat Wyatt but came back off the post and into the 'keeper's arms.

Bromsgrove took the lead on 32 minutes when Bedworth failed to clear a Kevin Banner corner and Marcus Jackson drilled a low shot from the edge of the area past Gary Hateley.

The game threatened to boil over with an incident either side of half-time that required young referee Barrow to consult with his assistants. The outcome was that Jackson and Crowley both earned cautions.

Bedworth were deservedly back on level terms on 63 minutes when Tom Guiney finished off a sweeping move by striking a curling shot from the edge of the area with Wyatt a spectator.

They took the lead just six minutes later.

Marvin Blake beat Dave Benton before squaring the ball to James Wood who hit a low shot past Wyatt from the edge of the area.

Bromsgrove finally started to battle in a desperate last ten minutes, just failing to force the ball over the line from Banner's corner on 82 minutes and then Jackson hit the crossbar in injury time.

ROVERS

Wyatt 5, Frost 6, Hillman 6, Pope 6, Benton 5, Allen 4 (sub Collins 67 mins), JACKSON 7*, Benbow 6, Szewczyk 6, Banner 6, Atkinson 5 (sub Cammock 83 mins). Subs not used: Sutton, Dawson, Hughes.

Att - 410.