Saturday, November 25, 2000

TROUBLED Bromsgrove Rovers were consigned to a third consecutive home defeat as they capitulated 2-1 against Bedworth United in Dr Martens League Western Division.

They took a first half lead -- just as they did against Atherstone a week previously -- but couldn't find the necessary staying power to fend off a resolute Bedworth side.

It was always going to take time for Rovers to gel with five men making their home debuts.

But there was nothing unfamiliar about Bromsgrove during the opening exchanges as they opened the scoring after quarter of an hour.

The goal was all about two of the new boys, Philip Rowe and Alfie Carter. A neat lay-off from Richard Burgess saw Rowe flick an exquisite ball into the path of the oncoming Carter. He darted between two defenders and finished neatly past Jordan King.

Rovers should have built on their advantage, but instead allowed Bedworth to dictate the game.

Neil Olden, superb on his debut, had to be on form in the home goal to keep them in front. He saved with his legs from Adam Webster whilst Richard Hamer failed to convert the clearance.

Another Rovers debutante, Sean Bedward, could have doubled Rovers' lead when he pounced on slack defending from Bedworth's Martin Heir, but his finish was equally dire.

Bedworth came out after the break determined to level matters, and did so after just two minutes.

Confusion reigned in the home defence as Michael Crawford's attempted clearance hit Steve Ulfig. Nicky Kirk pounced on the loose ball and although Olden was equal to his shot, parrying it onto the post, Adam Webster tapped in the rebound.

As the match deteriorated into a scrappy affair, so did Rovers, and they had Olden to thank for a number of saves.

But six minutes from time Scott Cramp beat the offside trap and pulled the trigger from the edge of the area. Olden saved well but Stuart Holt was first to the loose ball and grabbed the winner to add to Bromsgrove's worries.

Rovers: Olden 8, Rowe 6 (Biddle 62, 6), Ulfig 6, Townsend 6, S Frost 6, Crawford 6, Benbow 6, Burgess 6 (Pountney 66, 6), Carter 6, Burrow 6, Bedward 6 (McColgan 72).

Star man: Neil Olden.

Attendance: 313.