Bromsgrove Rovers 6 Cinderford Town 2

Southern League Division One West

By Peter McKinney

DING-dong! Rovers made sure their fans left feeling merrily on high on December 27, as a swash-buckling display tore apart Cinderford at the Victoria Ground.

Christmas cheer had been thin on the ground at Rovers after two home defeats to Sutton Coldfield and Ashford, but a ruthless display of finishing had the home support dreaming of what may come in the second half of the season.

This was a display that epitomised the best characteristics of manager Jimmy Mullen's attitude to football, with a slick, whole-hearted attacking display.

To a man every Rovers player found their top gear and despite lead-footed Cinderford providing little in opposition, the credit must to go Mullen's side, which showed a ruthless streak rarely seen this season.

Midfielder Scott Hadland once again showed his increasing worth to the side as he bagged a hat trick and helped Rovers dominate the match.

Mullen restored Ben Porter to the side after resting him against Sutton. Defender Joe Williams was promoted from the substitute's bench at the last minute because Exodus Geohaghan was gridlocked on a motorway.

The hosts wasted little time in attacking and Hadland grabbed the opener in the eighth minute.

Banner was released down the left wing by Williams' long ball and Cinderford goalkeeper Steve Benbow could only deflect it into the path of Hadland, who made no mistake to score.

However, Rovers have made a habit of giving their opponents a chance this season and Cinderford hit back in the 13th minute. Striker Andy Hoskins flicked Rich Kear's deep free kick over Rovers' defence and captain Will Steadman scored at the far post.

Rovers found themselves trailing a minute later. Steve Hillman tackled Kear in the penalty area, but the forward manoeuvred the ball to his right and midfielder Adam Mayo clinically slid the ball past Tim Clarke in goal.

Rovers enjoyed a slice of good fortune as they levelled the scores immediately. Banner's left wing cross caught Benbow napping and curled above the 'keeper to make it 2-2.

The goal gave the home side a much-needed lift and knocked the stuffing out of Cinderford. Rovers' poured forward and Benbow made a good save to deny Porter in the 17th minute.

Clarke had to be alert to clear the ball under pressure from Hoskins after Male's back pass was too short.

Ryan Bevan cleared Porter's shot as it headed towards goal in the 33rd minute, but Hadland put his side ahead in the 36th minute.

Wayne Dyer drove into the box and passed to Anthony Maguire, who sent in a cross from the right. Hadland met the cross with a well-judged looping header which beat Benbow to make it 3-2.

Banner surged down the left and sent in a low cross, which Porter chested wide in the 40th minute. Steadman was booked for fouling Porter on the stroke of half time.

All three points were guaranteed to remain in Rovers' grasp when Hadland finished the best move of the match to make it 4-2 in the 51st minute.

Dyer made an excellent run down the left and his incisive pass set Porter free in the box. The unselfish striker then centred the ball and Hadland side-footed it past Benbow.

Hoskins missed his side's best chance of the second half when he swept Jamie Hammonds' cross into Clarke's arms. Rovers' goalkeeper fumbled the ball but held onto it at the second attempt.

Hadland sent an overhead kick high after a fine run by Maguire. The winger, enjoying his best game for Rovers, then a curled free kick , which Benbow saved.

Two goals in two minutes then heaped more misery on Cinderford. Porter grabbed a deserved goal in the 71st minute when he headed Banner's cross into goal. Dyer cruised through a massive gap in Cinderford's defence, controlled Williams' long ball and neatly finished to complete the rout and generate the loudest cheer of the game from Rovers' fans.

The supporters were enraged when Rob Cruse scythed into Hadland from behind in the 75th minute and escaped with a yellow card. Matthew Barnes-Homer replaced Rovers' hat-trick hero.

The home side was still hungry for goals and Benbow made a point blank save to keep out Porter's header in the 79th minute.

Rovers' fans went home feeling more confident for the rest of the season after seeing their side produce a powerhouse performance. They'll be hoping, unlike Christmas, it'll come more than once a year.

ROVERS: Clarke 7, Johnson 7, Male 7, Williams 8, HADLAND 9, (Barnes-Homer, 75mins, 7), Maguire 8 (M Benbow 83mins 6), Dyer 7, Porter 8 (Willetts 90mins, 6), Adams 7, Banner 8.

CINDERFORD: Benbow 4, Bevan 4 (Kitchen, 45mins 5), Buttery 4 (Reiger, 80mins, 4), Lewis 4, Steadman 6, Mayo 4, Cruse 3 (Pedley, 83mins, 4) Bevan 6, Kear 6, Hoskins 5, Hammonds 5.

Referee: Mr SB Attwell (Nuneaton).

Attendance: 350.