Monday, August 26, 2002

BROMSGROVE Rovers showed why they should be a force to be reckoned with in the Dr Martens Western by turning in their best performance of the season with a 2-0 success at Rugby United last Monday.

Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's side put on a confident display of controlled passing, defending and possession for much of the first half and were well worthy of their two goal half time lead.

But the hosts, although disappointing for large spells, started the better and had all the early play, stopping Rovers from getting out of their half.

All that changed though on 11 minutes when the visitors, now with three clean sheets in a row, took the lead against the run of play.

Les Palmer, on target in both of Rovers' last two games, found the net again when he looped a header over Dean Thomas following a Mark Benbow cross.

The hosts momentarily got back into the game and came close to scoring when a Robbie Beard run and shot forced Chris Taylor into a save.

But then it was all Rovers. They held the ball up well, passed it around and, despite the occasional spell of loose passing from both sides, looked in control as they stamped their authority on the game.

Banner had an effort well blocked by Karl Brennan on the half hour following an incisive move between James Dyson, Grant Beckett and Palmer.

Palmer then turned provider and played a great ball through the defence, which the lively Richard Burgess gratefully accepted before taking it around a static keeper for 2-0.

Rovers were not quite as dominant in the second half but enjoyed large spells of possession and created more with the ball than Rugby.

The visitors had two penalty appeals turned down for handball and Dyson tried an audacious chip from 40 yards after seeing Thomas off his line. Thomas then pushed a Mark Clifton header over the crossbar.

The impressive Dyson, responsible for a number of deft touches, was replaced by Matt Southwick with 13 minutes left and Rovers did not quite look the same side.

Substitute Paul Danks would have made it three but for a timely challenge after he had rounded the keeper while Rugby's best chance fell to Dave Pearson who volleyed wide eight minutes from time.

ROVERS

C Taylor 7, Benbow 7, Banner 7, Clifton 7, BRIGHTON 8*, Ford 7, Collins (sub S Taylor 70 mins) 6, Dyson (sub Southwick 77 mins) 7, Palmer 8, Burgess (sub Danks 70 mins) 8, Beckett 7. Subs not used: Read, Hackett.

Attendance: 279.