Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Taunton Town 2

Southern League Division One West

By Peter McKinney

A CLANGER by goalkeeper Lee Evans and a moment of magic made sure that Rovers' woes at the Victoria Ground continued on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon.

There has been an ill wind blowing through Rovers at home all season and none more so than on Saturday as the team suffered its eighth home loss in the Southern League Division One West.

Goalkeeper Evans, who has been reliable since been made first team choice, was at fault for Runako Mowatt's opener but he could do nothing to stop Charlie Walsh curling in a second half free-kick.

Sandwiched between Taunton's goals Neil Davis made it nine goals since joining in January.

With manager Rod Brown watching Rovers Errea Southern League Cup finalists Hitchin lose 2-0 to Evesham Physio Steve Ball, goalkeeper Tim Clarke and player/coach John Snape were left to run the team.

The home side made a determined start but struggled to break down Taunton, who looked resplendent in their all-gold away kits.

Benbow delivered a curling cross from the right in the 16th minute but Paul Moore was adjudged to be offside.

The game woke up in the 22nd minute when Taunton opened the scoring. Evans dropped Sam Duggan's free kick under pressure from two Taunton players. John Snape blocked Ryan Havard's shot but Runako Mowatt prodded the ball past Joe Williams, who was lurking on the line.

To Rovers' credit the goal woke up the home side. Davis headed Benbow's cross at 'keeper Tom Buckler.

Kevin Banner delivered a probing cross in the 31st minute, which Davis headed off the cross bar.

Joe Williams was muscled off the ball by Ryan Havard in the 33rd minute but Exodus Geohaghan intercepted with a timely tackle.

Davis rifled the ball home for an equaliser after good work by Banner in the 36th minute.

Evans then made up for his earlier error by making a great diving save at Havard's feet, after alert play by Mowatt.

Moore then unleashed a shot that Buckler clung onto at the left post in the 42nd minute.

Wayne Dyer almost carved open Taunton in the first minute of the second half. Dyer strode down the right wing and delivered a low ball that Havard could only desperately clear.

Geohaghan found Banner lurking on the edge of Taunton's penalty area with an accurate crossfield pass. The winger cut inside but was tackled by Duggan as he was about to shoot.

Davis had an overhead kick come off the cross bar after being set up Benbow's header in the 63rd minute.

But the visitors went ahead against the run of play in the 69th minute. Charlie Walsh's free kick curled around the wall and rifled into the top right hand corner.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of Rovers.

Substitutes Liam McDonald and Delton Francis injected some life in the final ten minutes.

Francis dug out a fierce shot that flew wide in the 83rd minute. McDonald, making his debut, set Francis free in the box but he was blocked. Riad Erraji saw his follow up saved by Buckler.

McDonald then saw an effort saved by Buckler to thicken the gloom over the Victoria Ground.

ROVERS: Evans 6, SMITH 7, Williams 5, Snape 5 (Hillman, 75, 5), Geohaghan 6, Erraji 5, Benbow 5 (McDonald, 65, 6), Dyer 6, Davis 6, Moore 6 (Francis 70, 6), Banner 6. Subs not used Johnson, Clarke.

TAUNTON: Buckler, Wiltshire, Walsh, Fisher, Faux, Jones, Blakemore (Piper, 87), Mowatt (Kite, 79), Havard, Duggan, Ghiglia (Walford, 75).

Referee: Mr N Radford (Worcester).

Attendance: 319.