Saturday, November 16, 2002

AREAS of Taunton are named after one of England's finest poets - William Wordsworth.

So it was fitting that Bromsgrove Rovers should choose Wordsworth Drive to perform like poetry in motion to defeat one of the Dr Martens Western's form teams and return to the top of the table.

Rovers, kicking up the slope, controlled the early play, and went close through Richard Burgess on four minutes and Matt Southwick had a shot saved by Ryan Draper 60 seconds later.

But Draper had no such luck on 10 minutes when a piece of good fortune allowed Rovers to open the scoring. Southwick's 20-yard shot took a wicked deflection off Danny Harris into the opposite corner of the goal.

Two minutes later Southwick's defence-splitting pass put Paul Danks in on goal and his rising shot struck the angle of crossbar and post.

Bromsgrove continue to dictate the play with a sparkling champagne style of football.

On 19 minutes a heavy collision between Rovers goalkeeper Matt Lowe and Taunton's Gary Fisher resulted in a lengthy stoppage as the Taunton striker was carried off.

Town had shown rare touches of their good form as a Rovers' defence was superbly marshalled, including a series of interceptions by captain Stewart Brighton.

The Greens could have easily doubled their advantage on 35 minutes. Burgess was set away by Southwick, he crossed and McHugh's first time shot was blocked by Dale Peckham and Danks put the rebound over.

Rovers' midfield bossed proceedings so much, putting consistent pressure on Taunton's goal, it was surprising the scoreline at half time was only 1-0.

Within three minutes of the restart, Rovers sent the travelling band of 100 or so supporters into raptures. Southwick played the ball to McHugh, his shot was only parried by Draper before falling nicely into the path of Danks to slot into the unguarded goal.

Heavy pressure

Taunton made changes as they tried to assert their change of formation but Rovers, coming under some heavy pressure, defended a series of corner kicks.

During this spell, the Peacocks forced Lowe to punch clear on more than one occasion and on 69 minutes saw him save a powerful header from Adam Butterworth.

The visitors continued to create chances. A Kevin Banner free-kick just skimmed the bar on 88 minutes.

Rovers increased their lead to 3-0 in the final minute. Neil Cartwright beat Craig Russell on the left, passed inside to James Dyson near the penalty spot and he squared the ball to Read who rolled it home.

Bromsgrove secured the win as they had on their last visit back in 1982.

ROVERS

Lowe 8, Lloyd 8, Banner 8, Clifton 8, Brighton 8, SOUTHWICK 9* (sub Cartwright 81 mins), Dyson 8, McHugh 8, Burgess 8, Danks 8 (sub Read 87 mins), Frost 8. Subs not used Ford, Hackett.

Att - 449.

Match report by BRIAN PERRY.