MATCH REPORT FROM THE BROMSGROVE MESSENGER
Played at Halesowen on Saturday. At the start of the match rain was falling in torrents, and the ground was so slippery that it was almost impossible for the players to keep their feet. Bromsgrove won the toss, and elected to kick towards the Grammar School end, having the advantage of the wind. Halesowen were the first to get away, and Williams narrowly missed. He was adjudged off-side. Bromsgrove replied rather weakly. Halesowen again got into the visitors quarters, and some exciting moments ensued. Bromsgrove eventually got away, but their shooting was weak, probably owing to the slippery nature of the ground. A corner was forced by the visitors, but it was unproductive. Halesowen again broke away, and Hayes made a good run on the left, passing to Thorneycroft, who shot wide. Thorneycroft later received the ball from Williams, who had cleverly eluded several men, and scored. Hayes made an ineffective run to the left. Lockley made a characteristic run on the Bromsgrove left, and passed beautifully to Merrick, who headed wide. For Halesowen Hayes got down on the wing. Bromsgrove pressed on their left, but both wing players shot weakly. Winning an easy opening, Halesowen then got to work in front of their opponents goal, and a veritable bombardment ensued, but it was unproductive, Moore displaying exceptional ability in goal. Bromsgrove were unable for some time to get beyond the home backs. who showed a splendid turn of speed. Bromsgrove forced a corner by Lockley, but White cleared. For the next few minutes play was very fast, and later Bromsgrove were successful in forcing another corner, but it was put outside. Halesowen next forced two corners in quick succession, but they shared a similar fate. Halesowen continued to press, but were unable to do anything for the backs. Half-time: Halesowen 1, Bromsgrove 0.
Upon resuming there was a lot of uninteresting midfield play. Bromsgrove eventually attacked well, and Kent, in tackling Hartland, was injured, but not seriously. On resuming the visitors took up the attack, and Merrick just missed with a fast shot. At the other end Thorneycroft failed to reach a lovely centre from Williams owing to the slippery ground. Kent equalised, the ball slipping out of Hartlands hands. A. Nicholls gave the visitors the lead from a foul close in and subsequently Halesowen pressed hard, but could not get on level terms again. Result: Bromsgrove 2, Halesowen 1.
Halesowen - Hartland; Williams, White; Keeling, Gilbert, Watton; H. Williams, Jones, Thorneycroft, Freeman, Hayes.
Bromsgrove - Moore; Glade, Bridgwater; C. Nicholls, Millard, A. Nicholls; Lockley, Kent, Merrick. Houghton. and Best.
"THE SPECTATOR" OPINION COLUMN
Bromsgrove Rovers have again commenced gathering points, after a relapse of a few weeks, and it is to be hoped that the recovery will be of a permanent nature. The team had undergone some changes in the front rank, Merrick being tried in the centre, and Lockley being back in the outside right position. He was partnered by Kent, and Best and Houghton formed the left wing. The defence and halves remained unchanged. The game was played in a downpour of rain, and the first half went in favour of the home eleven, who were the first to score. After the interval, however, Bromsgrove men warmed to their work, and two goals were put on, the side winning by two goals to one. The victory gives the Rovers a total number of points equal to the matches played, and places them about half-way up the ladder, down which they had been coming for some weeks.
The Bromsgrove defence was again fairly sound, and the halves were a successful trio, while there was an improvement in the forward line. Merrick was not a conspicuous success in the centre, and would perhaps have done better with Lockley, who played a good game. Kent, however, was the pick of the line, and Best did well. The team is again chosen for to-days match with Nuneaton at Bromsgrove. |