ROVERS OVERCOME STUBBORN RIVALS
Bromsgrove Rovers overcame a difficult obstacle in their Cup quest on Saturday when at the second attempt they beat Halesowen Town. While one can commiserate with the Birmingham League champions in having to play three parts of the game with only ten men, after forcing a draw at Bromsgrove the previous week, it would be impossible to deny that Rovers deserved the entry into the next round. The margin was close, but would have been more substantial had the ball run a little kindlier. Besides striking the framework on no less than five occassions, they found the Halesowen custodian even more brilliant than the previous week. It was again apparant however that the Bromsgrove forwards must play more as a line and not allow the two inside forwards to function as extra half-backs for most of the time.
A goodly number of Bromsgrovians made the journey, and they soon made their present "felt" when Joe Wainwright won the toss and chose to play up the slope. Halesowen pressed hotly at the start, Coley and Cook combining cleverly, but Rovers' defence was stolid. The first corner ended in Meaney heading just wide. Rovers then assailed the home threshold, and Stephens, the new right winger, raced through to shave the bar with a fast drive. Cave gave E. Jones a fast grounder to handle and in further Rovers' attacks the home defence survived some anxious moments. Stephens again came into prominence when a concerted forward move gave him the chance to test E. Jones with a warm handful. After some ten minutes, Baughan, the Halesowen left-half, sustained a fractured collar-bone in a tackle, and was taken to hospital. E. Jones dealt with a header from Crawford, but was lucky when he again got through and shot against the bar. The Rovers' forwards were combining much better than of late. Crawford especially showing improved form, and he brought the best out of the Halesowen custodian with a shot aimed just under the bar. The home side were not dismayed by being one short, and Wainwright did good service in holding up several attacks. Halesowen again escaped dramatically when Edwards (who deputised for the indisposed Chapman)crashed a terrific free kick against the bar. The ball was scrambled away, but the Rovers forwards then split the home defence wide open with a bewildering move. Oldnall just failed to reach the ball as it sped across the goal. There was no desputing the Rovers' superiority, and E. Jones thwarted them again and again. Hinett, the home left-winger, had a great chance in a breakaway, but finished weakly when challenged. Disaster befel the Rovers two minutes from the interval. Meaney worked right through and his drive, from 18 yards, was a winner all the way. it was a grand goal, but all against the run of play. Crawford had a guilt edged chance immediately after, but W. Jones crowded him out.
Halesowen provided the first thrill on resuming, Lowe, their centre-forward heading past the post. They kept up the attack and for a long period had the Rovers' defence at full stretch. The numerical strength of the visitors then began to tell down the slope, and it was no surprise when they drew level after 60 minutes. Stephens made a grand run and his centre eluded a crowd of players in the goalmouth, but passed on to Hough, who promptly shot into the net. Halesowen immediately pressed and Skitt made a masterly save from a crashing drive by Meaney. Breif excursions by the Rovers saw both Edwards and Crawford put over the bar. Lowe headed a corner kick over the Bromsgrove bar and Williams was fortunate to scramble the ball away with the defence in a tangle. The Rovers were soon back again, and Cave had hard lines when he outwitted all in a grand run, only to see his terrific drive smack the bar. A right royal scramble ensued with the ball bobbling about in the goalmouth before E. Jones eventually got it away. It was soon back again, however, and Oldnall shot into the net from a pass by Stephens only to be adjudged offside. Rovers were now over-running the homesters, and Jones made masterly saves. Stephens hit the woodwork and it was evident that the Halesowen citadel must fallunder such pressure. A pile-driver from Hough whizzed past the post at express speed, and after 80 minutes Rovers gained their reward. Stephens cleverly dispossessed Gardiner and centred for Oldnall to beat W. Jones for possession and head through. Halesowen tried again and W. Jones shaved the bar with a hefty drive. Unfortunately ill-feeling crept into the game as the end drew near, but when the final whistle came Rovers were savagely beseiging their target.
It was gratifying to see the improvement amongst the forwards, Stephens especially fitting in well. With his go-ahead methods and accurate centres, he should prove an acquisition. He was well supported by Cave and Hough, while Crawford showed much improved form. Oldnall played as well as his "shadows" allowed, and was on spot to get the deciding goal, but he mostly ploughed a lonely furrow through lack of support. the defence all did well, especially Wainwright, Williams and O'Mahoney, although Chapman, who was nursing a boil, was sadly missed, but Williams was a tower of strength.
Halesowen : E. Jones; Gennoe, Gardiner; Hackett, W. Jones, Vaughan; Coley, Cook, Lowe, Meaney, Hinett.
Bromsgrove : Skitt; Edwards, Williams; O'Mahoney, Wainwright, Smith; Stephens, Cave, Oldnall, Crawford, Hough.
Referee : L. Sutcliffe (Shirley) |