Saturday, April 13, 2002

BROMSGROVE Rovers achieved a hard-earned 2-0 victory against a stubborn Boldmere St Michael's side to maintain their Midland Alliance promotion challenge.

The three points keep them in second place behind leaders Stourbridge, who have a game in hand, with three fixtures remaining.

Before Boldmere's biggest crowd of the season Rovers attacked from the start with Kevin Banner making a strong run from defence and firing wide.

Les Palmer then raced clear but home 'keeper Matt Knight was quick to spot the danger and came of his line to block the chance.

Boldmere replied down the left and Bagley and Andy Richardson combined to put the visitors defence under pressure, before 'keeper Matt Lowe was able to clear.

Disaster struck for the home side after 26 mins when a long clearance from Paul Lloyd found defender Tom Bayley wanting and Sam Bowen pounced to make no mistake from 10 yards for his 19th goal of the season.

The Mikes should have replied when Carl Dwyer's clever through ball gave Nathan Hylton a golden chance but his delicate lob just cleared the bar with Lowe beaten.

The second half opened with the home side striving for the equaliser. A pinpoint free kick into the box by Richardson was headed down by Steve Behan and it seemed that substitute Nathan Gough, on the goal line, had scored but he was thwarted by the leg of Lowe.

Steve Frost replied for the visitors going past two defenders and his shot on the run was pushed out for a corner by Knight.

Boldmere continued to push forward and enjoyed plenty of midfield pressure wihout creating any clear cut chances and Rovers were content to sit back and soak up any pressure.

The game was sown up for the visitors in the 78th minute when Jon Ford won the ball in midfield and surged forward. His accurate cross from the left was met in space by substitute Neil Cartwright to plant a firm header past Knight.

Although not a commanding victory, this was Rovers third consecutive clean sheet and they always appeared to have enough to grab the points against a young Boldmere side.