MATCH REPORT FROM THE BROMSGROVE MESSENGER
Played at Bromsgrove on Saturday, before a fair gate. Bromsgrove won the toss, and chose to play down the slope with a strong wind behind them. Bromsgrove at once got down, but Merrick sent over the line. Continuing the attack from a pass by Edwards, the ball was netted by Williams within a minute of the start. Edwards again set the home right wing going, but the movement was checked by Chamberlain. Bromsgrove continued to be aggressive, but Houghton finished the movement by shooting over the bar. Chamberlain kicked out a low shot from Edwards. The Rovers forced a corner, and Merrick headed just over the bar. Halesowens left relieved the pressure, but Slade checked them. Bromsgrove returned, and in endeavouring to deal with a centre from Field, Everton put through his own goal. Bromsgrove reaped full advantage from the wind, and Merrick ran right through and scored a third goal from close quarters. Halesowen worked their way up the field, and Willmore had his first bit of work to do, stopping a shot from P. Treheart. A corner to Bromsgrove came to nothing, Merrick skimming the bar. Rudge stopped a dangerous shot from Atkins at the cost of a corner, from which J. Miller put just the wrong side of the upright. Rudge negotiated a beauty from Field, and later picked up and cleared with a number of forwards round him. Half-time: Bromsgrove 3, Halesowen 0.
The game continued to go in favour of the home side, although not quite to the same extent as in the first half. Rudge had a lot of work to do and effected some fine saves. Houghton got through for the Rovers and scored a pretty goal. The same player added another from a nice centre from Field. Although playing in the face of the wind and a deluge of rain, Bromsgrove continued to have the better of matters, but without further effect. Result: Bromsgrove 5. Halesowen 0.
Bromsgrove Rovers - Willmore; Slade, E. Miller; Edwards, J. Miller, Nicholls; Field. Merrick, Atkins, Houghton, and Williams.
Halesowen - Rudge; Everton, Chamberlain; Jones, Smith, Harley; Trehearn, Davis, Plant, P. Trehearne, and Bayley. Referee, Mr. A. Walton (Small Heath).
"THE SPECTATOR" OPINION COLUMN
Evidently the Bromsgrove Rovers supporters are pleased with the way the team have played during the Easter holidays, the extremely inclement weather notwithstanding there was quite a respectable attendance the Victoria Ground to witness the match with Halesowen. The turf was very heavy, in addition to a strong wind there were heavy storms of rain and these combined to prevent good football. Bridgwater did not turn out for the Rovers, and the vacancy was filled by the transfer of E. Miller from forward to left back and the bringing in of Houghton at inside-left. Bromsgrove started scoring immediately after the kickoff, and kept the upper hand throughout both when playing with and against the wind. Undoubtedly they deserved to win, and their margin of 5-0 was not too great.
With regard to the players, the defence did not have much to do, and all acquitted themselves well. Edwards was perhaps the most called upon of the halves, but the whole line was satisfactory. Although handicapped by the heavy going and the greasy and heavy state of the ball, the forwards made a good show. Merrick was especially clean and effective in his work, and displayed marked unselfishness. |