Saturday, January 22, 2005

Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Rothwell Town 1

Southern League Division One West

By Peter McKinney

HITMAN Leon Mitchell limped off injured as striker-less Bromsgrove Rovers' promotion aspirations were stalled by well-organised Rothwell Town at the Victoria Ground on Saturday.

Mitchell's departure mid-way through the first half forced manager Jimmy Mullen to throw makeshift hitman Steve Frost up with winger Jon Daniels.

Rovers were already without Paul Szewczyk, who was with his newborn daughter, while a knee problem forced Delton Francis out of the game.

Defender Martin Flannigan then did his best to de-rail in-form Rovers' hopes of closing the gap behind leaders Mangotsfield when he headed in from a 58th minute corner.

The home side had looked dangerous in the early stages, with winger Matt Johnson and Daniels combining effectively down the right, but Flannigan headed out Mark Benbow's dangerous cross.

Goalkeeper Lowe was equal to Craig Noble's 17th minute shot, but three minutes later he had to be alert to collect the ball under pressure from the Rothwell winger.

Mitchell missed an open chance to score in the 22nd minute.

Benbow chested the ball into Daniels' path and his cross fell perfectly for the striker, who headed over.

However, the striker limped off after falling badly and was replaced by Frost.

Erraji flashed a shot wide of Rothwell's left post, while Daniels' 32nd minute header was straight at 'keeper John Hughes.

Benbow then wasted Rovers' best chance of the game when he headed wide at the far post in the 43rd minute, after Frost had won the ball off Stuart Spencer.

The sucker punch came in the 58th minute when Flannigan lost marker Frost to score emphatically with a downward header from Reece Lester's corner.

Noble should have done better when he was allowed to surge towards Rovers' goal, but he shot straight at Lowe.

New signing Phil Male made up for giving the ball away in a dangerous area to Stuart Spencer by winning it back with a well timed tackle.

Mullen threw on young striker Shaun Maynard as Rovers' pushed for a leveller, but while winning two late corners Bromsgrove could not turn possession into chances, as Rothwell held on for a deserved victory.

Rovers: Lowe 6, K Johnson 7, Steve Hillman 6, Male 7, Collins 6, Erraji 6 (Mahon 6), M Johnson 6, Benbow 7, Mitchell 5 (Frost 6), DANIELS 8 (Maynard 6), Banner 6.

Referee: Mr WE Weaver.

Attendance: 389.

Peter McKinney