"THE SPECTATOR" OPINION COLUMN
Bromsgrove Rovers paid a visit to Halesowen Saturday to play their first Combination game, and suffered defeat to the tune of 4 goals to 2. This score by no means represented the play, however, for Bromsgrove were always out of luck. The first twenty-five minutes of the game saw the Rovers easily the masters of the situation, the team displaying fine football and any amount of dash. The forwards were very quick, and gave many clever touches during this period. Page in the Halesowen goal gave a fine display hereabouts, three fine shots from Beaufoy being safely dealt with.
Play was transferred to the other end, and a disputed corner resulted, Satchwell scoring the first goal for Halesowen. Soon afterwards Morris at inside-right for Halesowen secured the ball in what appeared to be an offside position. He was allowed to go on, however, and easily beat Hobday. The Rovers in the meantime made many raids upon the Halesowen goal, only to find themselves out of luck in front of goal. Just before the interval a breakaway by Halesowen saw the outside-right score with a brilliant first- time shot, and so the Rovers crossed over three goals behind, a score which was out of all proportion as a reflection of the game.
Play ruled very even in the second half. The reward of perseverance came to the Rovers when Crisp made a brilliant solo run and scored a very clever goal. Soon afterwards Pearce was tripped in the penalty area when he was going through well, and the resulting penalty enabled Trahearne to score. No further scoring took place, although the Rovers made valiant efforts towards the end, efforts which were frustrated by the kicking out tactics employed by Halesowen. It was these tactics only which prevented the visitors from scoring.
Taken as a team, the Rovers showed that they have plenty of good football in them. Hobday had little to do, and had little or no chance with the scoring shots. Jew was the better of the two backs, showing excellent judgment in his tackling. Smith, although at times he kicked well, was slow in recovery. There was not that understanding between the backs which was so often seen last season. Glazzard played his usual hard working. game, being full of energy and enthusiasm. Brothwood showed every promise of proving a valuable asset to the side, his placing of the ball being quite good. He, like several others, tired towards the end, but when in proper trim he should prove efficient. Gumbley was always in the picture with his usual brainy game, although as in the corresponding match last season, the ground did not exactly suit him.
Crisp showed up prominently, because he seemed to get such a lot to do, for Trahearne was too effectively shadowed to display his usual form. Pearce in the centre was inclined to wander, as though not quite at home in the position, but otherwise showed that he could still be a thorn in the side of a defence. Heard and Beaufoy, as was anticipated, played well together, and proved a speedy wing. The one fault shown by the forwards was that of holding the ball too close. No doubt if they would play the long swinging passing game more goals would be the result. |