|
Dr
Martens Western Division
Saturday,
15th November 2003
Attendance
| 299
Rugby
United |
1 |
5 |
Bromsgrove
Rovers |
|
Williams
90
Redgate
off 24 |
|
Dyson
pen 24
Jackson
45
Banner
63, 73
Szerczyk
82 |
Star
Man | Robbie Beard |
Rugby's
top scorer led a one-man battle at times and was
desperately unlucky on several occasions not to
get United back into the game. |
Rugby
went into the game on the back of a seven-match unbeaten
league streak, and were started in confident mood, even
without influential midfielders Craig Dutton and Danny
Hall as well as captain Craig Herbert.
It
took 17 minutes for a chance of real note. Goalkeeper
Jason Pearcey's long kick found its way to Robbie Beard
who took the ball to the edge of the visiting area before
delicately flicking the ball over the defender before
unleashing a measured left-foot volley from 20 yards
which was inches away from a spectacular opener.
Rugby
pressed forward, and were beginning to take control
of the game when Rugby fell asleep at the back and allowed
a clear shooting opportunity for Kevin Banner from 12
yards. However, just after the Bromsgrove striker
struck the ball, Gary Redgate's hand inadvertently got
in the way of the shot. Whether the incident was
deliberate or accidental, the referee gave the penalty,
but then incensed the Valley players and officials even
more by sending Redgate off for deliberate handball.
A very strange decision considering that Jason Pearcey
was still well placed in his goal and had every chance
of keeping the shot out, so it wasn't exactly a certain
goal.
However,
midfielder James Dyson stepped up and gave the
visitors a 1-0 lead, sending Pearcey the wrong way.
Rugby
fell into disarray with only two recognizable defenders
on the pitch, and the home side completely lost their
shape. Bromsgrove poured forward on many occasions
on the counter-attack before half time, forcing Pearcey
into several necessary saves.
But
Pearcey could do nothing on the stroke of half-time
to prevent Bromsgrove doubling their lead. Gary
Moran pondered in the box with the bouncing ball, and
after Banner had appeared to handle the ball as he challenged,
the ball broke to winger Marcus Jackson, whose
powerful drive found the top corner of the net.
United
manager Tony Dobson was furious with the referee's failure
to spot the handball, and took his anguish out on the
assistant referee, with Dobson subsequently ordered
from the dugout to the delight of the traveling fans.
At
half-time, there was an ominous air around the ground,
as it seemed that nothing was quite going Valley's way
and it was impossible to see how Rugby could get back
into the game with a depleted side that was already
thin on the ground with few realistic options on the
bench.
Rugby
were still positive however, and Beard and Justin Marsden
combined before the latter powered a shot straight at
Paul Wyatt in the Bromsgrove goal.
Beard
thought he had scored after he had rounded the goalkeeper
and slotted home following a long ball, but most of
the crowd had spotted the offside flag which was correctly
aloft as Beard was a few yards the wrong side.
Marsden
was unusually quiet, and never seemed to get a grasp
of the ball, and when he did on the hour mark - he did
so delightfully. Cutting in the from the left,
Marsden weaved through the visiting defence before creating
a massive opening for himself, only for the Rugby number
10 to shoot straight at Wyatt with the goal gaping.
The ball bounced up, and Beard got a decent header which
looked goal-bound, but Wyatt was fortunately positioned
to catch the ball.
This
crucial miss proved to be a turning point as so often
happens, as lady luck was on Bromsgrove's side.
Kevin Banner's corner three minutes later found
its way directly into the net at the near post, with
no challenge from the Rugby players.
Valley
were contributing heavily to their own downfall, as
they left Andy Commander and Adam Hart woefully exposed
at the back as United looked for a way back into the
game. On 73 minutes, all sorts of problems at
the back, including an error from Jason Pearcey led
to a chance for Kevin Banner to add his second,
and he duly obliged, curling in from 20 yards.
Rugby
were not getting the breaks, as Robbie Beard saw an
effort roll across the goalline, and Rory Squire was
desperately unlucky as his 20-yard effort cannoned off
the angle. It was clear it wasn't to be Rugby's
day, and a clear-cut case for a penalty was declined
as Steve Pope handled in the box. However, this
was of little consequence at 4-0 down with only minutes
remaining.
Bromsgrove
cut through the Rugby defence like a knife through butter,
and Kevin Banner, on a hat-trick, raced away but unselfishly
laid the ball across Pearcey for Paul Szewczyk to
tap home the simplest of goals.
Jamie
Williams gave Rugby the smallest of consolations
with the last kick of the game, tapping home Aaron Shanahan's
neat cross.
Disappointing,
but all will be rectified with a win at Shepshed on
Tuesday.
Rugby
United | Pearcey, Moran (Hegarty), Thompson, Hart,
Commander, Redgate, Squire, Williams, Beard, Marsden,
Shanahan Subs | Thomas, Pearson, Wesley
Bookings | Shanahan, Beard |
