MATCH REPORT FROM THE BROMSGROVE MESSENGER
At Bromsgrove on Saturday, before some 800 spectators. Winning the toss the Rovers chose to play up the slope and early on a lovely centre enabled Merrick to score for Bromsgrove. Price got past Bridgwater, but Burton dashed in and cleared, and Dyer fisted out a shot from Rodway. Hayes stopped one from Legg. Overton was injured, and was of little use for the remainder of the first half. A centre from Turland went begging, and Grizzell sent the ball up the field when things were looking ugly for Bromsgrove. Dyer brought off a fine save following on a corner. A foul fell to Broms grove close in, and after the ball had been returned Satchwell headed in, Hayes saving. Corners were forced by both sides, and Maries skimmed the bar from long range. Hayes tipped over the bar a good one from Overton, and Dyer came out and cleared when things were awkward. Half time: Bromsgrove 1. Halesowen 0.
The Rovers were the first to show up, but Bough failed to profit from a centre from Turland. Dyer saved from Price. Merrick centred, and Paul put outside. Garratt sent just over the bar, and Bridgwater held up a strong attack by conceding a corner. Woolley and Hadley put in good shots, and Bridgwater got the ball away. Result: Bromsgrove 1. Halesowen 0.
Bromsgrove - Dyer: Burton, Bridgwater; Grizzell, Satchwell, Legg; Overton, Paul, Bough, Merrick, and Turland.
Halesowen - Hayes; Maries, Partridge; Alderthay, Basterfield, Garratt; Price, Hadley, Box, Rodway, and Woolley.
"THE SPECTATOR" OPINION COLUMN
It is a long lane that has no turning, and the Rovers have at last struggled out of the bad patch in which they had been struggling since the end of November, when they beat the Trams. December yielded a solitary point at the expense of Talbot Stead, January was drawn blank, but the team started February well on Saturday last, besting Halesowen by the only goal of the match. The Rovers are worth something much better than the lowly position they have been occupying recently in the League table. They did well early in the season, and we must hope that they will now finish well.
It was an exceedingly hard fought game, and it was pleasant to the Rovers to reverse the result of their opening match of the season at Halesowen, when they went down by 2-0. There was a large gate, and the spectators were soon put in good humour by a sensational start, what proved to be the only goal of the match falling to Bromsgrove within a couple of minutes of the kick-off. Merrick netted the ball, and the performance was very popular, as this player was always a great favourite with the home crowd. This was his first appearance since the war, and he and Turland were the pick of the front line. Overton also did very well considering his injuries. The halves were a good all-round lot, and Burton outshone his partner at back. Dyer met all the demands made on him in good style. |