Bromsgrove Rovers 3 Clevedon Town 0

Southern League Division One West

By Peter McKinney

ROVERS' players showed their support for former assistant manager Bernard Mackie by defeating table topping Clevedon Town and recorded their most important result in the Southern League Division One West this season on New Year's Eve.

Mackie, who was on the bench with friend and Rovers manager Jimmy Mullen despite being sacked by the club on December 29, was mobbed by the players when Matt Johnson put Rovers in the lead in the first half.

By the end of the game the 300 strong army of home fans huddled in the North end were chanting 'we love you Bernie' to support the popular Scotsman.

There was a tense atmosphere in the Victoria Ground before kick-off. Rumours spread like wildfire that Mackie had gone along to the game, even though he had been informed by the club's board that he was surplus to requirements in order to cut the budget.

However, he was in the dugout with close friend Mullen to watch Rovers finally beat one of the best sides in the division for the first time this season.

Rovers killed memories of defeats to high-flying Ashford, Swindon Supermarine and Willenhall Town by totally outplaying Clevedon.

Scott Hadland almost handed Rovers a brilliant start in the opening minutes. Ben Porter got free down the right wing and set up the midfielder, who saw his low shot go wide of the far post.

Rovers got amongst Clevedon from the start to upset their rhythm and the tactic paid off when Johnson opened the scoring in the 23rd minute.

Exodus Geohaghan's long throw was only cleared as far as Johnson just outside the penalty area and his powerful shot deflected off Rob Scott to beat goalkeeper Ray Johnston.

The goal sparked furious celebrations by the players, who ran to the dug out and embraced Mackie. Porter had a goal disallowed in the 26th minute as Rovers tried to press their advantage home.

Clevedon strikers Jack Pitcher and Tom Jacobs combined to set up Leon Hapgood a minute later, but goalkeeper Tim Clarke dived at his feet to save and then flung himself to deny Craig Loxton.

Clarke was Rovers' hero when he tipped over Loxton's long range shot.

Porter was working tirelessly up front on his own, and his persistence saw him to get into the box in the 37th minute, but a desperate tackle by Scott Hendy denied the forward.

Rovers started the second half with the same verve and caught out Clevedon with a second goal. The visitor's clearance was headed back by Wayne Dyer and the alert Hadland collected the ball and chipped it over the desperately diving Johnston in the 58th minute.

Rovers' opponents weren't offering much in attack and manager Phil Bater threw on Lee Howells, Steve Lester and Richard French.

Kevin Banner broke down the left wing, cut inside and flashed a shot just wide of the post on the hour mark.

Lester volleyed horribly wide from a corner in the 61st minute, but Maguire was unlucky not to score when his shot smashed off the post after he was set up by Porter.

Rovers continued to look the hungrier side and Johnson released Porter down the right and Hadland headed his cross just wide.

Hadland and Maguire combined to release Porter into the right side of the penalty area, but his rising shot flashed just wide in the 73rd minute. Jo Williams then blocked Pitcher's goal bound close range effort.

Tigerish midfielder Hadland had two more chances, shooting over the cross bar and then volleying Mark Benbow's cross wide in the 86th minute.

Rovers though ensured victory in the 91st minute, when Hadland bagged the final goal. He lunged athletically to power a header past Johnston from substitute Duncan Willett's cross.

The goal sparked the supporters chants to Mackie and breathe new life into the club's promotion hopes.

ROVERS: Clarke 8, Johnson 8, WILLIAMS 9, Hillman 7, Geohaghan 7, Hadland 8, Maguire 7 (Barnes-Homer, 86mins, 6), Dyer 7, Porter 8 (Willetts, 79mins, 6), Adams 6 (Benbow, 10mins, 7), Banner 7.

CLEVEDON: Johnston 6, Whitcombe 6, Trought 6, Carter 7 (Lester, 58mins 6), Hendy 7, Scott 6, Hapgood 6, Holly 6 (Howells, 58mins 5), Pitcher 5, Jacobs 5, Loxton 5 (French, 58mins, 6).

Referee: Mr Whitehurst (Stoke).

Attendance: 343.