Saturday, December 8, 2001

BROMSGROVE Rovers will return to Tow Law next Saturday after fog forced the abandonment of their FA Vase third round tie after 76 minutes.

Rovers started brightly, playing down a slope, and within seven minutes had three chances as firstly Matt Coppin, then Steve Pope and Michael Moore forced saves from Lawyers' goaleeper Barry Poskett.

Tow Law awoke from their slumber on 17 minutes when Lee Innes shot just wide of the target. Then eight minutes later Paul Richardson turned his marker and fired in a shot which Rovers' goalkeeper Matt Lowe did well to stop.

Grant Beckett was felled just outside the Tow Law penalty area, Moore quickly stuck the free kick inches past the upright as Rovers started to make their possession tell.

Further headed goal attempts from Jon Ford and another from Moore went close and on the stroke of half-time Les Palmer mis-kicked right in front of goal.

The Lawyers came out fighting at the start of the second-half. Both Pope and Morgan Brookes conceded corners, which fortunately came to nothing.

Rovers had another opportunity on 56 minutes when Paul Lloyd received a pass from Richard Kavanagh and went on a mazy run which ended with a powerful shot. Poskett fumbled but then chopped Palmer down. Referee Foster waved play on, however.

Bromsgrove continued to press forward andPalmer shot wide from a good position.

But disaster struck Rovers on the hour. Innes headed goalwards, but his effort struck teammate Richardson, and deflected past Lowe to give Tow Law the lead.

Rovers replaced Moore with Liam O'Neill and two minutes later O'Neill almost equalised.

On 74 minutes Lowe stopped a certain second and goal and then the fog descended. Referee Foster waited for thirty minutes in case the elements cleared, but to no avail.

Rovers: Lowe 7, Lloyd 7, Banner 7, Brookes 7, Ford 7, Pope 7, Kavanagh 7, Beckett 7, Palmer 6, Moore 6, Coppin 8. Subs: O'Neill, Lynch, Sumnal, Chol, McGettrick.