Saturday, November 29, 2003

A GOAL in each half from Paul Szewczyk and James Dyson gave Bromsgrove Rovers a 2-1 victory in a hard fought Dr Martens Western game at the Victoria Ground.

Rovers, up a place to fourth in the table, took the lead as early as the third minute when Steve Frost flicked on Dyson's free-kick from the right and Szewczyk volleyed home at the far post.

Sutton survived further Bromsgrove pressure before dominating the next 15 minutes, which lead to a deserved equaliser on 20 minutes. A good move from midfield found Terence Carpenter on the right and he rode a couple of challenges before squaring the ball to Mark Bellingham who scored from ten yards, giving Paul Wyatt no chance.

Two minutes later the visitors could have taken the lead but Wyatt raced out to block Emeka Ejiofor's shot on the edge of the area after.

As tempers rose, the visitors had both Mark Peters and Richard Gardner booked for late challenges.

Rovers should have regained the lead just before the interval but Mark Atkinson missed two great opportunities from close range in the space of 60 seconds - firstly over the crossbar after Steve Pope's header and the second into the side netting following Kevin Banner's cross.

Substitute Mark Benbow hit the crossbar for the hosts within seconds of the re-start. Sutton controlled the next 20 minutes with Bellingham and fellow striker Ejiofor both denied by good Wyatt saves. Dyson scored the decisive goal 12 minutes from time. The visitors failed to clear a loose ball and the midfielder slid the ball home from ten yards.

The last ten minutes were played on a knife-edge but referee Mr Keane only cautioned one further player when Stephen Farmer made a second reckless challenge in the space of a minute on Szewczyk.

ROVERS

Wyatt 8, Frost 6, Hillman 6, Pope 7, Mahon 6, DYSON 8*, Jackson 6, Tomkins (sub Benbow 36 mins 7) 6, Szewczyk 8, Banner 7, Atkinson 6. Subs not used: Dawson, Swan, Beckett, Benton.

Att - 368.

Report from CHRIS FOX.