MATCH REPORT FROM THE BROMSGROVE MESSENGER
Played at Halesowen on Saturday, before some 200 spectators. Halesowen won the toss, and the opening stages were characterised by some good half-back play. Halesowen were first to become dangerous, but the ball went behind off Robins, and lack of cohesion on the part of the visiting forwards rendered the smart work of their halves ineffective. Hadley had a glorious chance of scoring, but he dallied with the ball and was robbed. A mistake by Bache let in Bromsgrove, but nothing came of it. The home forwards then raced away, but Slade smartly cleared. Williams was making splendid headway towards goal when Burrows intercepted with his hands. Bromsgrove were unlucky from the free kick, Edwards muffing the ball with an open goal. At the other end Hadley shot yards wide. Burton tried a shot from long range, but his effort was weak, and the ball went wide of the mark. Hadley put in a brilliant cross-shot, which Willmore cleverly negotiated. This exciting encounter took place in the Bromsgrove goal, between Willmore and a crowd of Halesowen forwards, but the danger was relieved. Play became very excited, both sides displaying an inclination to rough it. Willmore saved brilliantly from Burton at short range, and a series of corners fell to Halesowen, but the visitors backs were lamed, and Willmore was confident. A fine effort was made by Houghton, but though Baptist left the goal open, the ball went wide. Soon after Saunders scored a fine goal, Willmore being helpless. Half-time: Halesowen 1, Bromsgrove 0.
On resuming Bromsgrove pressed, but Baptist saved several shots. Pretty work by Robbins enabled Thorneycroft to add a second goal for the home team. Houghton reduced the lead after Baptist had brought off a clever save from Cashmore. Edwards should have equalised in the next minute, but he put the ball over the bar with an open goal. In this half Bache and Houghton were injured, and had to leave the field. Result: Halesowen 2, Bromsgrove 1.
Halesowen - Baptist; Bache, Chamberlain; Hyde, Burton, Burrows; Hadley, Pugh, Thorneycroft, Robins, and Saunders.
Bromsgrove - Willmore; Slade, Skinner; Merrick, Miller, Nicholls; Roberts, Edwards, Cashmore, Houghton, and Williams. Referee, Mr. Long (Harborne).
"THE SPECTATOR" OPINION COLUMN
Bromsgrove Rovers still further weakened their position in the Birmingham Combination by suffering defeat at the hands of Halesowen. The defeat was not a bad one - 2-1 - but it was enough to rob the visitors of the much-needed points. The Rovers are now bottom but one in the ladder, with six points out of eleven games played. This time last year the Rovers had scored eleven points out of fifteen matches, and had a goal average of 17 for 30 against. This year the average is worse, 10 for, 23 against, a proof that the defence of the Rovers is fairly good, but the attack weak compared with the corresponding period of 1911.
A draw would perhaps have better represented the play, and little fault could be found with the Bromsgrove players, who gave a very fair exhibition. Houghtons goal was a good one, but unfortunately a little time after he was injured. Merrick did well in his new position at right half and Willmore and the backs were tolerably safe. For once in a way Roberts was the weak man forward. Cashmore did well, and Harry Edwards looked like scoring the equalising goal in the last few minutes of the game, but he slipped, and the opportunity was lost.
In order to help the Rovers financially the Committee of the Rovers have decided to open a shilling fund for the benefit of the funds, which have had to bear a hard strain recently. |