Chippenham Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 2

Errea Southern League Cup semi-final

ROVERS defied the odds to beat highflying Chippenham Town to ensure they booked their place in the Southern League Errea Cup final on Tuesday night.

Despite a host of injuries and absences gutsy Rovers overcame a Premier Division side that is flying high in the league.

Paul Moore and defender Joe Williams bagged the goals in the first half to ensure Rovers will meet the winners of either Bedford or Hitchin.

Manager Rod Brown had to deal with an injury crisis before the match.

Steve Hillman, Neil Davis and Daire Doyle all missed the game because of injury or illness.

Matt Johnson was also unavailable because of work commitments, forcing striker James Smith to play as a makeshift wing back on the night.

Brown also handed Delton Francis a rare start.

With so many key players missing Rovers needed an early goal to settle the nerves and Moore grabbed the opener in the fourth minute.

The bustling Francis powered into the penalty area and slipped the ball to Moore, who made no mistake by rifling the ball past goalkeeper Steve Perrin.

The goal sparked Chippenham into life and the home side levelled the scores in the 16th minute.

Darren Wheeler's cross caused panic in the box and Sean Seaville scrambled the ball in at the far post.

Rovers though were not deterred and took the lead five minutes later.

Kevin Banner's corner deceived Chippenham's defence and Riad Erraji's shot was blocked, but Williams was on hand to calmly chip the ball past Perrin.

Goalkeeper Lee Evans had to be strong in the penalty area as Chippenham probed for a goal. He had to be alert in the 29th minute to hold onto Seavillle's cross. Smith had a chance to score in the second half but was denied by Perrin. Rovers though held on for a memorable win.

ROVERS: Evans, Smith, Williams, Snape, Geohaghan, Erraji, Benbow, Dyer, Francis, Moore, Banner. Substitutes: Reynolds, Hillman, Clarke.

CHIPPENHAM: Perrin, Winter, A Stanley, Thorne, McEntagert, Kirk, Seaville, Jeffries, Gilroy, Rawlins, Wheeler. Substitutes: Harrison, S Stanley, Mills, Brigham, Snoddy.

Referee: Ron Ganfield (Weston-Super-Mare). Attendance: 219.