Saturday, December 15, 2001

BROMSGROVE Rovers' hopes of FA Vase glory ended with a 3-1 third round defeat at Tow Law Town.

After fog had forced the abandonment of last week's tie, referee Mr Foster held discussion about whether the tie could even start, as shortly before kick-off time there was a general power failure in the area. But the floodlights were eventually fixed.

Tow Law took the lead after nine minutes. Paul Richardson fired in a shot on goal which Matt Lowe could only parry, Richardson's second effort was pushed onto a post by Lowe but the ball fell into the path of Scott Nicholson who had a simple tap in.

Rovers' returnee Melvin Blake equalised on 24 minutes. Kevin Banner's excellent left-wing play produced a corner kick, Jon Ford produced a great flick on and Blake came through a crowd of players to head home.

But as the match moved into first half stoppage time disaster stuck Rovers they conceded a second goal. A poor back-pass stuck in the mud and Kraig Wilkerson had an easy task to slide the ball under the advancing Lowe.

The home side had Jeff Hall sent off on 65 minutes for what seemed an innocuous tackle, which was his second bookable offence, but seven minutes later Rovers' Joe Licata was trying to shrug of a challenge from Stephen Walker and caught him with the arm, Mr Foster sent him off.

Rovers pressed forward but were caught on 85 minutes to score a killer goal. Wilkerson put Mark Eccles clear down the right flank and his cross was converted by Richardson with a coolly-taken chip over the advancing Lowe.

Bromsgrove: Lowe, Lloyd, Banner, Brookes, Ford, Pope, Kavanagh, Beckett, Palmer, Blake, Licata. Subs: Choi, O'Neill, Sumnal, McGettrick.