Saturday, September 20, 2003

FOR the second Saturday in succession a Steve Pope penalty kick rescued Bromsgrove.

The week before he coped with the pressure of a spot kick in the F.A.Cup tie at Studley, then at the weekend he rescued a point at Shepshed.

It seems ludicrous to suggest a match played in 'perfect conditions' of sunshine, with a pleasant breeze, could have such a detrimental effect on football as to make both teams play this match with the ball spending much of the time off the ground.

In simple terms this game was awful as it was played on a patchy, dry pitch with an uneven surface, which meant that passing was very much by luck rather than judgement.

Carl Lawrence produced a couple of early half-chances for Rovers.

First of all on six minutes he shot wide and then five minutes later he ran through to fire his effort over the bar.

Shortly afterwards Peter Sutton had his shot blocked after a long pass from Marcus Jackson, and then it was Sutton again who accepted a neat pass from Danny Scheppel on 22 minutes, but he put his shot on the turn wide.

Mark Benbow was the next to try his luck but he saw his 27th minute free kick comfortably saved.

In spite of all these efforts it was Shepshed who should have taken the lead on 28 minutes, but Lee Quincey fluffed the chance right in front of goal.

But it was again Rovers who were back on the offensive soon after and Dynamo's Adam Stevens was injured preventing Steve Frost's 34th minute header threatening goal.

And Rovers themselves should have taken the lead on 41 minutes when a Jackson corner was met by Kevin Banner. But his effort was somewhat weak and was cleared off the line.

It was a costly miss as Shepshed counter-attacked and scored.

They cleared long to Damien Heskey, cousin of Liverpool and England's Emile, and when he crossed Paul Wyatt lost the ball in flight. Somehow Simon Forsdick, surrounded by Rovers players found a gap to slide in a pass to Scott Mackay who fired home into an empty nt.

The advantage quickly switched Bromsgrove's way in the second half when the home side were reduced to 10 men.

Scheppel was put clear on goal on 59 minutes but Jason Weafer clipped his heel and was immediately red-carded. Benbow's subsequent free kick from the edge of the area was well saved by Richard Keeling - and then on 70 minutes he raced from his line and outside his area to head the danger away as Sutton challenged.

Rovers got a much needed break on 72 minutes when a Jackson cross was met by Sutton. 'Keeper Keeling and Lawrence combined to keep the ball out of goal, but the referee, deemed Lawrence to have handled.

Steve Pope dispatched his spot kick high into the net.

Rovers might have had all three points late on but Sutton's side foot saw Keeling saved brilliantly with his legs.

ROVERS

Wyatt 6, Frost, 7, Hillman 6, Pope 7, Benton 6, Beckett 6, Jackson 7, Scheppel 7, SUTTON 8* (sub Atkins 85 mins), Benbow 6, Banner 6. Subs not used: Dawson, Hill, Henry, Gandy.

Att - 216.

Report courtesy of Sporting Journalists