Tuesday, November 23, 2004

A BRACE from Leon Mitchell helped Bromsgrove Rovers secure an emphatic 3-1 win over Worcester City last night in the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup second round.

Mitchell's double was sandwiched by a strike from City striker James Smith before substitute Paul Szewczyk capped a fine Rovers display at the Victoria Ground with a third goal in stoppage time.

It was nothing more than Jimmy Mullen's side deserved after dominating their more illustrious neighbours for the best part of the tie, with Mitchell, Delton Francis and Riad Erraji star performers.

City gave a full debut to 17-year-old midfielder Luke Whittington, and Danny McDonnell and Jai Stanley both returned from long injury lay-offs, but the Nationwide North club lacked fire in their bellies for a fixture they consider low on their priorities.

Only in the opening ten minutes did the visitors stamp their authority when Rovers 'keeper Matt Lowe was required to tip over Tom Warmer's rasping drive before pulling off a double save from Stanley and Leon Kelly.

Rovers soon took charge and grabbed the lead on 18 minutes, Mitchell latching onto a through-ball and slotting past McDonnell after nipping inside Les Hines and Shabir Khan.

Erraji went close on two occasions before half-time and Francis squandered a glorious chance on 57 minutes when shooting inches wide when one-on-one with McDonnell.

It proved costly as Smith slammed the equaliser a minute later, firing a shot into the top corner following good work by Kelly inside the box.

But Rovers regained the lead on 61 minutes, Mitchell scampering on to a mistake by Carl Heeley before rounding McDonnell and tucking home.

Warmer and Pat Lyons looked to send the fixture into extra-time but their stinging drives were held firmly by Lowe late on.

It was left to sub Szewczyk to finish off proceedings in injury-time, smashing his 15-yard effort past the despairing McDonnell after Arthur Appleton shrugged off two challenges.

Rovers: Lowe 7, Frost 6, Ulfig 6, Hillman 7, Collins 7 (Benbow 46, 6), Erraji 8, Daniels 7 (Szewczyk 79), Mahon 6, *Mitchell 8 (Appleton 74), Francis 8, Banner 7. Subs not used: Gandy.

City: McDonnell 5, Warner 6, Hines 6, Hoyle 5, Khan 6 (Heeley 58, 5), Lyons 6, Whittington 6 (Clarke 54, 6), Stanley 5, Kelly 5 (Webster 79), Smith 7, *Warmer 7. Subs not used: B Walker, Skyers.

Attendance: 202.