Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Cinderford Town 0

By Peter McKinney

PAUL Szewczyk's second half goal settled a tense affair at the Victoria Ground on Saturday as wasteful Bromsgrove Rovers bounced back from last week's loss to Stourport Swifts.

Despite creating a number of chances to score in the first period Rovers were left hanging onto their slender lead as Cinderford pushed for a deserved equaliser.

Leon Mitchell, who was presented with a ball before the game by manager Jimmy Mullen for his hat-trick against Bedworth, sent an overhead kick wide in the opening minute.

The striker then headed Szewczyk's cross off target a minute later.

Szewczyk missed a chance in 15th minute, when he headed wide of Cinderford goalkeeper Andy Fisher's post after good approach play from Mitchell and Riad Erraji.

Kevin Banner's 27th minute flighted free-kick almost yielded a goal, but the sliding Szewczyk was just too late.

Delton Francis blazed over in the 27th minute after Mark Benbow's free-kick had came off Cinderford's wall.

Goalkeeper Andy Fisher denied Mitchell in the 31st minute, after Matt Johnson had played him through.

Banner's well timed tackle in the box stopped the dangerous Adam Hemming in his tracks.

Minutes later Szewczyk was hacked down outside the box after linking up with his striker partner.

For all their pressure Rovers had yet to find their breakthrough and midfielder Rhys Jones missed a chance to punish their poor finishing in the 42nd minute.

The fleet-footed midfielder had broken away after a Rovers corner, but screwed his shot wide of the right post with only goalkeeper Matt Lowe to beat.

Rovers wasted little time in breaking the deadlock in the second half, as Szewczyk got between two defenders and headed in Kevin Banner's 47th minute corner.

Fisher denied Szewczyk a second goal when he reacted brilliantly to save the striker's downward header from Banner's left wing cross in the 58th minute.

Defender Ross Collins sent a header just wide of Fisher's post from Banner's corner.

Rovers though were put under pressure by improving Cinderford. Lowe athletically tipped over Ryan Dorians' 64th minute rising shot.

The midfielder tested Lowe, back after a two match ban, once again minutes later, but the 'keeper was equal to his volley.

Rovers' goalkeeper then had to tip Richard Kear's swinging left wing cross over the bar for a corner.

He then got down smartly to save the midfielder's follow up from a corner in the 69th minute.

Midfielder Riad Erraji was then booked for an innocuous clash with former Rover Steve Lutz.

The midfielder tried to avoid a sliding tackle by the defender, which left Lutz rolling on the floor in pain.

But Rovers ended the game strongly to seal three crucial points in their promotion hunt, with Matt Johnson going close in the 88th minute.

Benbow rolled a free-kick to the makeshift right back and his powerful shot rose just over the bar.

Rovers: Lowe 8, JOHNSON 8, Hillman 7, Frost 7, Erraji 6, Francis 7, Benbow 7, Szewczyk 7, Mitchell 6 (Daniels), Banner 7 (Mahon).

Referee: Mr G Chapman.

Attendance: 370