Tuesday, November 4, 2003

BROMSGROVE Rovers crashed out of the FA Trophy after this home replay defeat against Weston-Super-Mare last night (Tuesday).

George Rooney's side, who also miss out on a second round tie with Bognor Regis Town, battled for long periods but in the end were well beaten by their superior Dr Martens Premier opponents.

The match was only four seconds old when Richard Tomkins jumped for the ball and collided with Weston's William Clark, knocking the Rovers player unconscious. A 20-minute delay followed while Tomkins was treated and taken to hospital. He was replaced by Marcus Jackson.

Clark was himself replaced just seven minutes later and taken to hospital for X-rays on his shoulder.

Rovers, without Paul Szewczyk to a stomach virus, were behind on 19 minutes when Giuseppe Sorbara turned on a shot in the penalty area to beat Paul Wyatt from close range.

The hosts suffered another injury blow seven minutes later when Dave Benton pulled up after a challenge by Sorbara and was replaced by Chris Dawson.

Rovers' best chance of the half was wasted when Michael Swann headed over Scheppel's cross.

Mark Atkinson had a shot saved by Stuart Jones early in the second half as Rovers pushed for an equaliser.

The visitors though got their second on 76 minutes when former West Ham man Stuart Slater stabbed the ball over the line.

Atkinson later had the ball in the net for Rovers but the referee blew for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Rovers were then caught on the break with seconds left, allowing Jonathan French to play in substitute Ricky Hodge for number three.

ROVERS

Wyatt 6, Frost 6, Hillman 6, Pope 7, Benton (sub Dawon 26 mins 6) 6, DYSON 8*, Tomkins (sub Jackson 1 min 6, sub Ruck 76 mins), Scheppel 7, Swan 6, Banner 7, Atkinson 7. Subs not used: Gandy, Langford.

Att - 233.