WEALDSTONE 3 BROMSGROVE ROVERS 2
Two quick goals at the start of the second half made life difficult for Rovers as they battled back from being 3-0 down in this thrilling end-to-end Beazer Homes League Premier Division clash.
Rovers were unfortunate not to come away with a share of the points and maintain their unbeaten league record as they showed guts and spirit with a makeshift side.
The visitors could have taken the lead after only four minutes, whe a bad back pass let in Cunningham, but his shot went wide. Cunningham was in the action again in the eigth minute when he was struck by Wealdstone defender Morris, and was taken off, only to return in the 17th minute.
Wealdstone played the much better football in the first half, and Trusswell was coping with the job of sweeper well, in the absence of the injured Jones, and Cooper, who was on holiday.
Attwood was in great form, but he could nothing about the goal that gave Wealdstone the lead after 27 minutes, when a superbly worked free-kick on the edge of the area gave him no chance from Harrisons left foot drive, which flew in off the crossbar.
The home side grew in confidence, and only a clearance off the line by Trusswell, and a good low save by Attwood denied Wealdstone's tall forward Samson Olaleye adding his name to the scoresheet.
Rovers could have equalised just before the interval when Conniff beat the keeper, but defender Risk was on hand to clear the danger.
The second half got off to an electrifying start when home forward Lynch danced through Rovers defence and drove a shot into the corner of the net, again giving Attwood no chance, to make it 2-0 after only 54 seconds of the restart.
The hosts seemed to make the game safe in the 4th minute, when Browne chested down a great cross, before rifling the ball into the net.
Mark Rosegreen gave Rovers renewed hope a minute later, when the third goal in just three minutes made the score 3-1, when he tapped the ball over the line after a defensive slip-up.
Chris Hanks netted his seventh goal of the season when Cunningham's defence splitting pass left Hanks with only the keeper to beat, and he slid the ball home.
The Reds were now playing Wealdstone off the park, but the game threatened to get ugly when Cunningham got into a brawl with keeper Williams, and it resulted in both being booked.
Bromsgrove Rovers:- Attwood, Conniff, Brighton, O'Connell, Trusswell, Langford, Allbutt, Ford, Hanks, Rosegreen, Cunningham.
Substitutes:- Lowell, Whittingham.
Wealdstone:- Williams, Bailey, Harrison, Risk, Corbin, La Ronde, C. Browne, Morris, Cordice, Olaleye, Lynch.
Substitutes:- Wright, S. Browne.
Referee:- Mr. M. J. Taylor (St. Albans)
Assistants:- Mr. G. Osman (Thame) & Mr. G. Winton (West Ealing)
Attendance:- |