Monday, November 25, 2002

BROMSGROVE Rovers' interest in the Dr Martens League Cup ended on Monday night with an abysmal performance and 3-0 defeat at Solihull Borough.

A changed Rovers side saw Morgan Brookes play his first match of the season and a debut given to goalkeeper Steve Thomas.

The match was fiercely contested early on and the tone was set when the robust Stuart Hamilton clattered into Ashley Read on four minutes.

Read caused Solihull problems on 16 minutes, cutting inside the penalty area past Hamilton and Ian Wood before forcing Borough goalkeeper Mike Payne into a save.

Solihull's Hamilton limped out of the match on 26 minutes and Dave Haywood had a shot saved by Thomas.

Five minutes later, against the run of play, Solihull made Rovers pay for some slack defending. Ian Cooper floated a ball to the far post where Morton Titterton gave Thomas no chance with a header.

Solihull added to the score on 36 minutes. Matt Southwick and Titterton tussled in the box and the hosts were awarded a penalty, which Haywood duly converted.

Rovers failed to create any worthwhile second half chances, while at the other end Thomas continued to produce a string of excellent saves.

The final goal came in the last minute. Lucas was denied by Thomas but the ball rebounded kindly for Junior Hewitt to crash in a third goal off the underside of the crossbar.

ROVERS

THOMAS 8*, Lloyd 5, Banner 6, Brookes 7, Benbow 5 (sub Clifton 81 mins), Pope 5 (sub Ford 88 mins), Cartwright 5, Southwick 5 (sub Danks 74 mins), Palmer 5, Read 6, Frost 5. Subs not used: Burgess, Hackett.

Match report by BRIAN PERRY.