Saturday, March 17, 2001

BROMSGROVE Rovers' relegation woes continued with a 5-0 defeat at high-flying Tiverton Town in the Dr Martens League Western Division.

Rovers had five debutants on show, and new striker Costas Xiourouppa had an early shot well saved by home 'keeper Paul Edwards.

But on five minutes Kevin Nancekivell's right-wing cross was headed in off the bar by Scott Rogers.

Another debutant, Dwayne McFarland, got in a low shot which was saved by Edwards but on 22 minutes Steve Ovens ran past three flatfooted Rovers defenders before slotting the ball past Morris.

McFarland again shot wide before a great team goal made it 3-0 on the half-hour, Nancekivell heading home a Phil Everett cross.

Five minutes later it was 4-0. Everett was fouled by Lee Hughes on the edge of the penalty area on 35 minutes, and Steve Winter's free-kick deflected off the wall to send Morris the wrong way.

Rovers battled well in appalling conditions after the break, although the home side had more chances, including one where Ovens' shot stuck in the mud on the line before Rovers cleared.

The best chance for Rovers came on 75 minutes when a shot from the hard-working Xiourouppa forced an excellent save from Edwards.

Six minutes from time substitute Phil Ashford was unlucky to have a header ruled out for offside, while Morris saved brilliantly from Nancekivell before Ovens ran through to make it 5-0 in the last minute.

Rovers: Morris 8, Bayliss 7, Hughes 6, Townsend 7, Frost 6, Watson 6, McFarland 5 (Turpin 30, 5), Lloyd 5 (Somnall 46, 5), Xiourouppa 6, Wright 5 (Ashford 46, 5), Beckett 5.

Star man: Elliott Morris.

Attendance: 568.