Saturday, February 14, 2004

THREE goals in the first half an hour and it was job done.

Two goals from Paul Szewczyk and a Mark Bellingham strike handed Bromsgrove Rovers three crucial points in their quest for a top seven spot.

And it would not have flattered George Rooney's side if they had scored six in one of the best first halves seen in a long time. Every time they went forward they threatened a goal.

In Bellingham, Rooney appears to have found the ideal striking partner for Szewczyk. It's just a shame he will only be available for a handful of games because of police work commitments.

That partnership came to fruition three minutes in. Peter Trego parried Bellingham's shot and Szewczyk stabbed the ball home. Rovers extended their lead on 22 minutes when Bellingham converted Marcus Jackson's right-wing cross.

The hosts then had three chances in as many minutes, scoring one. First Steve Frost forced Trego into a reflex save on his near post, then Bellingham was denied via a combination of Trego and post. Rovers added a third from the resulting corner. Kevin Banner sent the ball across, Frost flicked it on and Szewczyk smashed home his second.

Rooney was forced into a change seconds before the interval when Ross Collins, making his first league start after a six-month injury lay-off, came off worse in a 50-50 tackle.

The second half was a non-event as Rovers protected their lead. The hosts created nothing in the final third while Ryan Weisberg twice came close for the visitors and Shane Hobbs almost caught Paul Wyatt off his line with a 40-yard speculative shot.

ROVERS

Wyatt 7, Frost 8, Hillman 7, Pope 7, Benton 8, Beckett (sub Hughes 57 mins 6) 7, Jackson 8, Collins (sub Benbow 45 mins 6) 7, SZEWCZYK 8*, Bellingham 7, Banner 7. Subs not used: Dawson, Gandy, Atkinson.

Att - 340.