Tuesday, October 31, 2000

MARK Benbow was the penalty hero for Bromsgrove Rovers in a Worcestershire Royal Infirmary Cup final second leg of high drama at the Victoria Ground last night.

The attacking midfielder's 113th minute spot kick - which he stepped up to take after being brought down just inside the area - was enough to separate the sides and lift the cup in this delayed cup final from last season.

It was the perfect way to end a week that started with George Rooney's exit from the Rovers hot seat. And Rooney would have been proud of the way Rovers gave 100 per cent effort and commitment against a Stourport side who looked dangerous on the counter attack.

It was Swifts who took the lead in this goal bonanza through Matt Southwick's neat finish after ten minutes.

Rovers were level eight minutes later when Jamie Turpin dispossessed Adrian Cooper and chipped a sweet ball into Benbow's path.

He flicked it through to the outstanding Richard Burgess who struck a first time shot past Rob Clark.

Nore Gabbidon was at fault as Swifts regained the lead on 23 minutes. A hopeful punt from Jan Mulders should have been meat and drink for the Rovers goalkeeper but his attempted catch went straight through his hands and trickled into the net.

It was Swifts' turn for a fumble six minutes after the break when centre half Mark Dearlove could only spoon Benbow's centre past his own keeper. The Halloween howlers were alive and kicking and there were plenty of tricks and treats on show to warm the crowd's spirits.

Benbow, who was splendid throughout, turned provider again on 66 minutes when his cross caused panic in Swifts' defence and Craig Pountney was on hand for a simple tap in.

But just when Bromsgrove thought they had the cup won, Southwick snatched a last gasp equaliser to force the game into extra time, until Benbow's penalty decider.

Bromsgrove: Gabbidon 7, J Beard 8 (Cameron 84, 7) Ulfig 7, Townsend 8, S Frost 8, Turpin 8, Benbow 9, Burgess 9, Pountney 8, Burrow 8, Biddle 7 (Humphreys 75, 7).

Stourport: Clark 7, Young 7, Mulders 7, Meenan 7, Dearlove 7, Shaw, Cowley 8, Cooper 7, Southwick 8, Booth 7, Moore 8.

Attendance: 183.