ROVERS made it six points in 72 hours thanks to a first half brace from Marvin Blake.

Bromsgrove Rovers (2) 2 Halesowen Harriers (0) 1

Midland Football Alliance

The game at home to Halesowen Harriers on December 22 was a keenly contested local derby.

The visitors had the first chance on nine minutes when Phil Bridge shot over the crossbar from 20 yards after a rare mistake from Jon Ford.

Blake just failed to make contact with Les Palmer's cross on 12 minutes but made no mistake to give Bromsgrove the lead on 21 minutes.

The visitors were unable to clear a loose ball and the impressive Kevin Banner hit a low shot which keeper Arron Hyde failed to hold. Blake was quickest to react and smashed the ball into the goal from four yards.

Rovers stopper Matt Lowe was forced to save from Mark Williams and Matt Webb as Halesowen took control of the game from midfield.

But the Greens doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, Blake chipping over the advancing Hyde after a pass from fellow striker Palmer.

Halesowen pulled a goal back four minutes after the restart when Bromsgrove failed to pick up Bridge who hit an angled shot from the edge of the area.

Rovers' best efforts in the second period were restricted to long range shots from Sean Derry and an 88th minute drive from Paul Lloyd which was cleared off the line by Danny Adams.

The home team's Mark Clifton was stretchered from the field after badly damaging his ankle in the final minute. He could be out of action for ten weeks. It has not yet been decided whether he will continue playing for the Greens when he is fit or return to Evesham United.

There was still time for Bridge to receive his marching orders from referee Mr Castle for a comment made direct to the official.

Halesowen played some good football but Lowe was never seriously tested in the Bromsgrove goal as they held out for three points.

Rovers: Lowe, Lloyd, Banner, Brookes, Ford, Clifton (Lynch 89 mins), Derry, Beckett, Palmer, Blake, Licata (sub Frost 71 mins). Sub not used: Liam O'Neill. Rovers MoM: Morgan Brookes. Attendance: 267.

Report: CHRIS FOX.