Saturday, April 22, 2002

BROMSGROVE Rovers stayed in contention for the Midland Alliance title with a 1-0 win at Chasetown.

Rovers, who received the team of the month award for March before the match, had their first effort when Chasetown 'keeper Lee Jennings dropped Steve Taylor's cross, but recovered to save from Sam Bowen.

Rovers took the lead in the 14th minute. Les Palmer controlled a beautiful Grant Beckett cross-field pass, and turned away from his marker to curl his shot past Jennings.

Bowen then rounded Jennings to stroke the ball home, only to be ruled offside.

Rovers should have had a penalty when Kevin Banner looked to be felled, but referee Sim waved play on. Taylor sent the loose ball over the bar.

Shaun Bradbury had a chance to equalise but somehow screwed his shot wide.

Steve Frost's shot bounced over the bar, and Palmer's miscued shot went wide. Deep into injury time Bradbury broke clear with only 'keeper Matt Lowe to beat but put his effort wide.

The second half became scrappy especially in midfield. Mark Clifton played a through ball to Banner, whose shot was parried by Jennings, while Neil Cartwright's shot cannoned back off the post.

A well-timed tackle by Jamie Purcell denied Banner, and a sweet back heel by Banner to Cartwright, and a quick decisive ball to Palmer forced Jennings to save at the foot of his near post.

Rovers: Lowe, Lloyd, Banner, Clifton, Ford, Pope, Frost (Cartwright 67), Bowen (Crisp 67), Palmer, Taylor, Beckett. Sub not used: Young. Attendance: 196.