Saturday, September 15, 2001

BROMSGROVE Rovers had to show their mettle to win 2-1 in their FA Cup first qualifying round tie at Northern Counties East League Division One team Mickleover Sports.

Playing with a strong wind in their favour, Rovers kept over-hitting the final ball and Mickleover, playing the ball around on the ground, opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Simon Alderson's quick free-kick was left to each other by the Rovers defence and Tony Marsden swept the ball home past a startled Matt Lowe in goal.

Michael Moore and Sam Bowen both came close for Rovers before on 42 minutes, they equalised when Paul Lloyd intercepted a pass in midfield, and fed Moore who played a first time through ball to Bowen who rounded the keeper to slot home his 10th goal in only seven games for Rovers.

Rovers began to get on top in the second half but in the 72nd minute Mickleover were awarded a penalty when Morgan Brookes was adjudged to have fouled Marsden in the area, but justice was done when Matt Lowe dived to his right to push away Marsden's spot kick.

Rovers should have had a penalty a minute later when Moore seemed to be clipped in the area, and incensed manager Steve Daniels was sent from the dugout for protesting at the officials.

However, in the 77th minute Rovers scored what proved to be the winner when the outstanding Moore broke down the left, drew the defenders to him and played the ball into the space behind the defence for Kevin Banner to unleash an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

Rovers will now entertain Dr Martens League Premier Division side Tamworth in the next round on September 29.

Rovers: Lowe, Porter, Lloyd, Brookes, Ford, Pope, Coppin, Lynch, Bowen, Moore, Banner. Subs not used: Sumnal, Wright, Burns, Palmer, McGettrick. Attendance: 144.