|
Dr
Martens Western Division
Saturday,
6th September 2003
Attendance
| 525
Bromsgrove
Rovers |
1 |
3
|
Rugby
United |
|
Dawson
32 |
|
Beard
13, 35
Marsden
18 |
Star
Man | Andy Commander
Only
his second game of the season filling in for Craig
Herbert, but defended well, made some important
challenges and block |
Rugby
United got their Dr Martens Western Division campaign
back on track with a comfortable 3-1 win against promotion
hopefuls Bromsgrove Rovers.
Dobson
opted to play strikers Justin Marsden, Robbie Beard,
and Dave Pearson in the starting line-up as United were
without midfielders Aaron Shanahan through suspension,
and Danny Hall and Neil Melvin with injuries.
Valley
started brightly with Robbie Beard threatening first
- firing over the bar from outside the area. On
13 minutes, Pearson's quick throw found Marsden on the
right who crossed into the box for the unmarked Robbie
Beard, to take a touch before firing in his 50th
Rugby United goal to put the visitors ahead.
5
minutes later Rugby had doubled their lead when Mark
Benbow only managed to clear as far as Justin Marsden
who struck the ball straight back, low through the crowd
of defenders and under the despairing Wyatt in the home
goal to get off the mark for the season.
Rovers,
who had the second best home record last season, only
behind Rugby, managed to gain some pressure for some
time in the first time, and it paid off when Chris
Dawson wriggled into a space on the edge of the
box before sending a deflected shot past the helpless
Pearcey.
The
one goal deficit was kept for only three minutes as
United again made their chances count. Robbie
Beard collected the ball in space from Jamie Williams
before cutting inside and letting fly from 25 yards,
finding the bottom corner of the diving Wyatt's net.
Beard
could have added another when Marsden ran from box to
box to slip in the Rugby number 9, but Beard ran the
ball slightly too far to allow Wyatt to get hands in
to smother the ball.
The
second half saw Rugby sit back a little too much, trying
to hold onto what they had and a period of Bormsgrove
pressure 10 minutes into the second period saw several
blocked efforts as Rovers tried to force a second goal.
Their best chance came when Kevin Banner, who scored
a last minute winner against Rugby last season in the
corresponding fixture, popped up at the back post but
steered his effort wide.
Dave
Pearson should have done better when he cut in from
the left hand side but he crossed straight into Wyatt's
hands, and Mark Benbow could only shoot into Pearcey's
arms despite being completely unmarked.
Four
away wins out of four is a marked improvement from last
season's form as United got back on track in a fixture
which could have carried on a tricky patch of game with
Team Bath and Redditch coming up. However, the
strength of Rugby's squad was shown as they performed
well without three midfielders.
Rugby
United | Pearcey, Moran,
Williams, Hart, Commander, Redgate, Squire, Dutton,
Beard (Herbert), Pearson (Thompson), Marsden Subs
| Thomas, Saunders, Mallon
Goals
| Beard 2, Marsden
Bookings
| Williams |
