Bromsgrove Rovers 4 Rushall Olympic 1

Southern League Division One West

AN injury to defender Ross Collins took the shine off a comfortable victory on Tuesday night at the Victoria Ground.

Collins was taken to the Alexandra Hospital with a back injury, after a clash with goalkeeper Lee Evans in the 38th minute.

Rovers' opponents lined up with three former Bromsgrove players in the side, with Mark Beddowes, Richard Gardner and Marcus Jackson.

Jackson, who left Rovers when former manager Joe Jackson departed controversial circumstances in November 2004, made an immediate impact on the game.

The speedy winger was booked by over referee Mr Grafton, who was fussy all night, for a high sliding challenge on goalkeeper Evans in the eighth minute.

Striker Dean Curtis was shown a yellow card for a robust challenge on goalkeeper Ryan Price in the 15th minute.

Rovers seemed to be low on confidence after the weekend's defeat to Brackley, but Hadland put them ahead in the 26th minute.

The aggressive midfielder drove a powerful header past Price from Mark Benbow's left wing free kick.

A minute later he was on hand to slot Chris Smith's rebounded shot past Olympic goalkeeper Ryan Price.

Smith, who was looking dangerous all night, then added a third in the 35th minute when his cross-shot from the right of Rushall's penalty area curled into the bottom left hand corner.

With the game firmly in their grip Rovers seemed to be coasting, but manager Jimmy Mullen will be concerned about Ross Collins coming off injured.

The defender, a key player for Rovers, was injured when he was sandwiched between Evans and Rushall's Neil Kitchin while they all battled for the ball.

He was left in agony on the pitch for five minutes and was replaced by Joe Williams, who deputised ably for Collins.

Hadland was presented with a chance of a hat trick when Price brought Curtis down in the box in the 52nd minute, but Rushall's keeper saved the midfielder's tame shot.

Curtis slotted Smith's low cross home in the 74th minute to extend Rovers' lead, before Jackson smashed home an 82nd minute consolation effort past Evans after an excellent driving run from Gardner.

Rovers: Evans 6, Johnson 6, Hillman 7, MALE 8, Collins 6 (Williams, 46mins, 7), Hadland 7 (Erraji, 76mins, 6) Benbow, 7, Dyer 6, Curtis 6, Smith 7 (Ramsay, 76mins, 6), Banner 6.

Subs not used: Barnes-Homer, Mitchell.

Rushall: Price 6, Dunn, 6 (T Jackson, 64mins, 5), Jackson 7, Munday 6, Mitchell 6, Brown 7, Deakin 6 (Trueman, 64mins, 5), Beddowes 5, Kitchin 5, Baker 5 (O'Connor, 64mins, 6), GARDNER 8.

Subs not used: Gemmell Davies.

Bookings: M Jackson - yellow, Curtis - yellow, Price - yellow, Gardner - yellow, Male - yellow.

Referee: Mr Grafton (Olton).

Attendance: 232.