Our most recent game was the 2 - 0 victory over Kettering in Spalding Cup. The game was quite comfortable for Rovers, Power opened the scoring with an excellent goal, after a cross from Skelding. The second was the excellent Andy Dale's second goal in two games, after Carter had fed him through. Kettering troubled Rovers little, especially Carl Alford, who's display left Rovers fans chanting "what a waste of money". Smith, Gaunt and Clarke were outstanding at the back, Grocutt was extrordinary in midfield, running everything. The introduction of the midweek marvel ( Symon Burgher ) gave Rovers an extra dimension, and with everyone left admiring Marlowes skills, it was quite a show. Dale often had chances to sew up the game, Skelding also missed a penalty, after Carter was hauled down, following Grocutt's drilled cross. Hunt went off injured midway through the first half, to be replaced by midweek marvel Symon Burgher, Rovers injury worries mounted when Power went off at half time, he was replaced by Marlowe. Crisp slotted into left back and Marlowe into midfield. By the end of the game our injuries/ suspension list is;
Richardson :- Banned, Brighton :- Injured, Randall :- Injured, Power :- Injured, Amos :- Injured, Hunt :- Injured. Nicky Clarke will soon face a hefty ban, as he has reached 45 disciplinary points, average being about 15!. 1.Taylor(7); 2.Skelding(7), 6.Gaunt(8), 4.Smith(10), 5.Clarke(8), 3.Power(6); 9.Hunt(8), 8.Crisp(7),11.Grocutt(8); 7.Dale(9), 10.Carter(7) Subs ; 12.Marlowe(7), 14.Burgher(6), 15. Dowling.
Man of the Match: Adrian Smith
So after Tuesdays game here is how the players rate for the season, marks are average ratings (out of 10)
1. A Smith(8.14),
2. D Grocutt(7.95),
3. J Hunt(7.47),
4. C Taylor(7.15),
and 5th is captain marvel K Richardson (7.13).
Player of the month for December was Adrian Smith, whilst January and February belonged to Nicky Clarke.
Saturday sees us entertain Northwich Victoria in our Wembley quest. I think it should be quite comfortable, although we have a few worries over players. Here's what I think the team will look like. Taylor; Skelding, Gaunt, Smith, Clarke, Brighton; Crisp, Grocutt, Marlowe; Dale, Carter. Subs :- Dowling, Troman and Young.
Saturday 16th March saw us lose 4 - 2, away to Hednseford. This was a good performance, with the recalled Dale making his mark on the game with an excellent goal. The team was; Taylor,Skedder, Brocca, Psycho, Clarke, Gaunt at the back, unlucky to concede four with the excellent Nick Clarke, commanding in the air. Midfielders were Smith, Grocutt and Jon Hunt. Up front were Dale and Carter. Goalscorers - Dale and Carter. On the subs bench was Power, Marlowe and Dowling.
Man of the match was Andy Dale.
Tuesday 12th March's 0-2 boring defeat has left many fans disheartened with just a couple of weeks until our trophy game with Northwich. Myself and fellow pundits were not so unhappy, after all we did not have crucial players, and Jon Hunt on the bench !. Here is a match report; BROMSGROVE 0 - 2 TELFORD. Rovers created little, barely anything until the introduction of Hunt, Marlowe and Dowling in the second half. They were solid at the back, especially Gaunt and Clarke, but lacked creation in the middle of the park because of the absence of Dynamo Grocutt, although Carter was a constant menace to the Telford back line. As for Telford, they looked good and well organised, and with Gray, Myers and Langford attacking, they always looked like causing trouble. Ironically this time last year Telford goalscorer Gray, scored Rovers winner as a sub for Carter away at Stafford, who were later relegated. Here is the Rovers team and ratings:
1.Taylor(8); 2.Skelding(5), 6.Gaunt(9), 4.Richardson(7), 5.Clarke(8), 3.Power(4); 7.Smith(5), 11.Crisp(7), 8.Amos(7); 9.Burgher(3), 10.Carter(7) Subs ; 12.Marlowe(8), 14.Hunt(9*), 15. Dowling(8).
Man of the Match: Jon Hunt
