Saturday, September 8, 2001

FORMER Worcester City striker Sam Bowen hit a hat-trick to make it nine goals in six games as his new club Bromsgrove Rovers thumped Rushall Olympic 6-0 in the Midland Alliance.

Rovers had to wait until the 31st minute before opening the scoring. Matt Coppin stroked the ball under keeper Danny Tipton after a neat one-two with Michael Moore.

Bromsgrove doubled their lead three minutes later through Bowen's far-post header off Moore's pinpoint cross.

Moore again laid on Rovers third on the hour, playing another wall pass, this time with Fraser McHugh, who beat Tipton with ease.

McHugh grabbed the goal of the game on 67 minutes with a solo run that was simply beautiful to watch. Starting wide on the right touchline, McHugh danced past three Rushall defenders before slipping the ball under Tipton with ease.

The goals didn't stop there. Rovers poured forward and they were rewarded with a fifth after 78 minutes. Coppin, a constant threat in midfield, threaded the ball through to Moore and he centred for Bowen to tap home his second of the game.

Bowen completed his hat-trick six minutes from time when Coppin's effort, which was heading goal bound anyway, was converted with ease with the Rushall defenders appealing for offside. Rushall defender Wayne Lloyd was sent off for his complaints.

Rovers: Lowe, Lynch (Porter 84), Lloyd, Pope, Ford, Brookes (Sumnall 84), Coppin, McHugh, Bowen, M Moore (Banner 79), Parmenter.