DMW September 14, 1999

BROMSGROVE Rovers secured their first win of the season with a comfortable victory at Amblecote last night.

Mark Bowater was the hero for the visitors, scoring a goal in each half with Richard Ball also finding the net in the first period.

After enduring early pressure, Bromsgrove took the lead on 13 minutes when Bowater stooped low at the near post to head home Ian Cooper's left wing corner.

Derek Dudley saved a curling free kick from Brendan Pugh as the home team battled back.

Ball scored the second on 40 minutes intercepting Quentin Townsend's back-pass to fire low past Andy Du Bont.

The Stourbridge keeper then prevented Stuart Payne in first half injury time after the Rovers striker ran on to a Cooper through ball.

Home striker Jason Rhodes, chief destroyer during the FA Cup tie last month at Bromsgrove, wasted several chances for the Glassboys before the visitors made the game safe on 54 minutes.

A Cooper short corner was chipped into the area by Matt Bytheway for Bowater to score his second with a fierce header.

Rovers had plenty of chances to add to the scoreline with the hard-working Payne and hat-trick hunter Bowater both hitting the woodwork in the dying minutes.

Rovers: Dudley, Ashley, Ulfig, Dodd, Bowater, Winstone, Cooper, Bytheway, Payne, Daley, Ball. Subs, all unused, Wright, Davies, Jinks.

Rovers MoM: Mark Bowater.