Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 0 Hereford United (0) 2
IMPROVING Rovers produced their best performance of the season and pushed a strong Hereford side all the way until a powerful goal by Graham Evans saw them off at the Victoria Ground on Wednesday, July 27.
Fired up Rovers withstood wave after wave of attacks by Hereford, until two goals in the second half ended their dogged resistance.
Rovers boss Jimmy Mullen handed debuts to goalkeeper Andy Pryce, winger Sean Williams and midfielder Marlon Walters, while Hereford manager Graham Turner fielded a strong side.
Pryce, who joined Rovers from Market Drayton, was given a testing workout by United in the first half but proved equal to all that was thrown at him.
He dived to his right in the 16th minute to palm away Rob Purdie's goal-bound shot, after the ball had bounced its way to him in the box.
The goalkeeper then produced a double save in the 24th minute to deny Hereford, who had pinned Rovers back in their own box.
Pryce got down well to palm away Evans' good low shot after Rovers' defence fell asleep. The 'keeper then flung himself back on the line to keep out Andy Williams' effort.
The home side rallied as the first half wore on and Lee Greenway had Rovers' only shot on target of the opening period, which was held by 'keeper Wayne Brown.
The visitors broke the deadlock four minutes into the second half. Williams shrugged off tackles by Ross Collins and Phil Male, passed to Evans, whose shot was touched in by Danny Carey-Bertram.
Evans finished Rovers off when Hillman allowed Williams' cross to slip to Evans just outside the box and the striker showed good control to thump it past substitute 'keeper Lee Evans.
Rovers did their best to fight back, with Greenway and Barnes-Homer carving out half chances, but they did not do enough to threaten Hereford's lead.
Rovers: Pryce (Evans), Gardiner (Williams), Hillman (Ecclestone), Male, Collins, Walters (Hadland), Williams (Francis), Erraji (Johnson), Greenway, Barnes-Homer, Banner (Daniels).
Hereford: Brown (Manson), Gwynne, Purdie (Brady), Jeanin, Mkandawire (R Williams), Berkwith (Campbell), Carpenter, Stanley (Matt Morrison), Carey-Bertam (Stansfield), Evans (Brown), Williams.
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