Tuesday, February 8, 2005

Thame United 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 1

Southern League Division One West

DEFENDER Ross Collins ensured Bromsgrove Rovers won a precious game in hand at Thame's Windmill Stadium on Tuesday night.

Collins scored the winner and helped keep Bromsgrove's first clean sheet since January's win at Marlow.

Victory in last night's game, the first of three matches in hand Rovers have coming up in the next month, ensured manager Jimmy Mullen's side took a big step to cementing a play-off place.

Rovers started brightly and Paul Szewczyk had a shot fly past United goalkeeper Steve Smith's post in the opening minutes.

The striker was eager to score and his header from Steve Frost's cross was cleared off the line by defender Tony Joyce.

The opener came when Frost won Mark Benbow's 13th minute corner and Collins rifled the ball past Smith.

Midfielder Nathan Jameson flashed a shot wide as Rovers forced the home side back.

Rovers 'keeper Matt Lowe had little to do all game, but was equal to Danny Keen's shot at the start of the second half, as Rovers went onto record a crucial win in the Southern League Division One West.

Rovers: Lowe, Frost, Hillman, Male, Collins, Jameson (Mahon 81mins), Daniels, Benbow, Szewczyk, Francis (Lennon 58mins), Banner.

Starman: Mark Benbow.