At Halesowen, before a big crowd.
Halesowen: Hayes; Parkes Partridge; Crutchley, Basterfeid, Gallagher: Williams, Hutton, A. Smith, Green, Woolley.
Bromsgrove: Mason; Bridgwater, Burton; Legge. Mallen, Grissell, Henshaw, Overton, J. Smith Webster, Satchwell. Referee: Mr. Rew (Handsworth).
Halesowen were first to press, and for several minutes their opponents goal was in jeopardy. On one occasion the visitors came near scoring, but Partridge relieved the pressure. Halesowen again retaliated, and with a tremendous shot Green hit the crossbar with Mason well beaten.
The home team were now having all the play, and several corners fell to them, but they could not penetrate. Off side robbed Rovers of a change of opening their score, while a short time later Henshaw put neatly outside with only Hayes to beat. Play became more even, both custodians being tried. Crutchley was a stumbling block to the visitors, several times breaking up their attack.
After this up to half-time play was of an even nature. Hall time:-Halesowen 0 Bromsgrove 0
Upon resuming Halesowen pressed. Several times Mason was tested. Success came to the home side after the game had been in progress about 65 minutes, Basterfield heading the ball into the net from a corner taken by Williams. Almost on time Hutton scored a second from a pass by Woolley
"THE SPECTATOR" OPINION COLUMN
Bromsgrove Rovers opened their Birmingham Combination campaign on Saturday, when they visited Halesowen. They did not win the match, but they put up a decidedly good fight against a team which Halesowen have gone a long way to find, and which contains the names of several well-known old Birmingham League players. The result was a 2-0 defeat for the Rovers, but the score cannot be said to represent the play. The first half of the game was doggedly contested, and the teams crossed over with a clean scoring sheet. Still, the same persistent tactics were shown by the defence of both sides until about twenty minutes from time, when Overton sustained a nasty injury to the head when he had an open goal at his mercy. He went off and did not return, the Rovers playing ten men for the remainder of the match. In the early part of this time Basterfield broke the ice for his side, and almost on time Hutton followed with a second.
On the whole the Rovers showed a very resolute defence. Mason was on his best form, and could not be blamed for either of the goals scored. At back Burton and Bridgwater played a really good game, the latter in particular giving a fine display of strong kicking. Little fault could be found with the halves, who were an energetic trio, but the attack was not so strong. They were largely a young quintette, and were opposed to a sturdy defence of much more experienced men, who were able to teach them many tricks of the game. Smith was very active, but for once his youth was against him. With practice among the Combination players, however, he should improve greatly, and should do well on the Rovers side. Overton played a nimble game, and it was very unfortunate that he was injured. Throughout, however, the forward line was a little disjointed, a condition that was to be expected seeing that the men had had little or no practice together, and that is a failing which should be removed as the season advances. |