Saturday, April 6, 2002

BROMSGROVE Rovers romped to a 6-0 thrashing of Pelsall Villa to stay in the thick of the Midland Alliance title race.

In the seventh minute Les Palmer unleashed a powerful 25-yard drive past despairing 'keeper Dean Pemberton.

There were plenty of chances for Rovers in the half but because of Pemberton, could not increase their lead.

The second half hinged on an eight-minute period where the Villa's defence lost their heads and the game.

On 58 minutes, Kevin Banner robbed Dave Clarke and squared the ball to Sam Bowen, who skipped around Pemberton to place the ball into the empty net.

The third arrived on 61 minutes Steve Frost's left wing cross was headed past Pemberton by Palmer.

It was 4-0 three minutes later. Grant Beckett's corner was knocked down by substitute Mark Crisp for Mark Clifton to stab the ball home.

In the 66th minute Crisp picked up the ball on the edge of Villa's area, ghosted past two feeble challenges and put the ball across to Bowen, who sidestepped the keeper to score with ease.

Matt Lowe, a virtual spectator all game, made a fine one handed save from Chris Baker before, three minutes from time, Gary Hackett's left wing corner saw Beckett power a header past Pemberton.

Rovers: Lowe, Lloyd (Hackett 77), Banner (Crisp 63), Clifton, Ford, Pope, Frost, Bowen, Palmer, Coppin (Young 71), Beckett.

Attendance: 259.