PAUL Szewczyk became the first Bromsgrove Rovers player in nearly eight years to score four goals in a match as his side thrashed basement boys Shepshed Dynamo 5-1.

The 6ft 2in striker, who joined Rovers from Stafford Rangers in October, scored twice in each half last Saturday to take his season's tally to 12.

Not since Mark Crisp scored four against Southport in April 1996, during the Victoria Ground club's Conference days, has a Rovers player notched up such a total.

Szewczyk and striker partner Sam Bowen, who scored the other goal, led Rovers from the front in a solid team performance as the hosts controlled the game throughout.

They were lucky not to concede a penalty 15 minutes in when Dave Benton handled inside the area from Martyn Emery's shot.

A minute later a shot from Grant Beckett was flicked onto the crossbar by Szewczyk, and on 22 minutes Kevin Banner shot straight at Richard Keeling.

Paul Wyatt was forced to clear from Emery outside the area before Rovers took the lead on 36 minutes.

Szewcyk collected Beckett's low pass on the edge of the area, turned his marker and slid a low shot under the advancing Keeling.

Bowen doubled the advantage on 40 minutes, curling in a shot from the edge of the area before Szewcyk scored his second just before the interval, volleying home Banner's cross.

Dynamo started the second half strongly and won a penalty on 47 minutes after Beckett handled Simon Forsdick's shot. Wyatt saved Steve Coates' spot kick low to his right, but Forsdick forced the rebound home.

Szewcyk completed his hat-trick on 55 minutes, himself scoring from the penalty spot after Duncan O'Brien had brought down Bowen.

Rovers completed the scoring on 72 minutes when Szewcyk, scoring his fourth, forced the ball home from close range from Marcus Jackson's right wing cross.

ROVERS

Wyatt 7, Frost 7, Hillman 7, Pope 7, Benton 6, Beckett 8, Jackson 6, Benbow 7, SZEWCZYK 8*, Bowen 7 (sub Atkinson 73 mins), Banner 7. Subs not used: Hughes, Dawson, Allen, Sutton.

Att - 462.

Report from CHRIS FOX at the Victoria Ground.