Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Marlow 2

Southern League Division One West

By Peter McKinney

NEW manager Rod Brown suffered a nightmare home debut at the Victoria Ground, as self-destructing Bromsgrove Rovers slipped up to Marlow on Tuesday evening.

A piece of magic by Adam Dickens and terrible defending by Rovers made sure Brown failed to win over a sceptical home crowd, which was still upset at the manner of former Rovers' boss Jimmy Mullen's departure.

Defender Gavin Hurren, on a month's loan from Kidderminster Harriers, made his debut for Rovers, while player/coach John Snape took his place in at Brown's side for the first time.

Rovers were trailing inside the third minute when the home side failed to clear a cross into the box and Dickens fired a sweet volley past a static Tim Clarke in goal.

The home side offered little in attack in the first half, with their best chance falling to Marlow defender John Beale, when he almost headed Kevin Banner's cross past his own 'keeper on the 20 minutes mark.

Rovers' were punished for sleepy defending when Marlow made it 2-0 in the 40th minute. There seemed no danger when Exodus Geohaghan was shepherding a long punt forward back to Clarke in goal. However, he failed to notice John Isaac, who nipped in front on him and lobbed the despairing Clarke.

The home side came out fired up in the second half and Banner came close in the 63rd minute, when his stinging volley crashed off the cross bar.

Substitute Duncan Willetts was booked for a foul on Marlow's 'keeper when he chased a Gavin Hurren header in the 65th minute.

Defender Steve Hillman skied a long shot after Marlow backed off to give him time and space to shoot in the 67th minute.

Marlow striker Jermaine Roche hit the crossbar in the 74th minute, after Rovers' midfielder Wayne Dyer was robbed of the ball by Sam Shepherd.

Willetts then missed from close range when Banner's corner caused havoc in Marlow's penalty area. Dyer's powerful low shot was turned around the right hand post by goalkeeper Ian McTaggart in the dying minutes.

ROVERS: Clarke 5, Benbow 5, HIILLMAN 6, Hurren 4, Geohaghan 4, Adams 4, Johnson 5 (Barnes-Homer, 5, 64mins), Dyer 4, Porter 4 (Willetts, 61mins, 5), Maguire 5, Banner 5.

MARLOW: McTaggart 6, Smillie 5, Neptune 6, Beale 6, Lamb 6, Shepherd 7, Isaac 6, Gray 6 (Webb, 89mins 5), Roche 7 (Harman, 86mins, 5), Dickens 7.

Referee: Mr DJ Hine (Worcester).

Attendance: 232.