Tuesday 7th February 2006
Southern League Division One West
Ashford Town (MX) 1  Bromsgrove Rovers 1
By Steve Riddick, courtesy of Sporting Journalists.

Bromsgrove lined up without a recognised striker on the pitch having lost the services of Paul Moore to the flu. Rod Brown decidind to use Wayne Dyer up front to hold the ball up to bring the Rovers midfield players into the game.

Ashford kicked off with a strong wind behind them and Ryan Lake tested Tim Clarke with a curling free-kick after 3 minutes. Rovers' reponded two minutes later Dyer heading Matt Johnson's cross into Paul Burgess' hands. Ashford had claims for a penalty turned down on 23 minutes, when Joe Williams looked to have brought down Scott Todd from behind but Referee G. Johnson waved away their claims. Both teams created chances but failed to test either keeper.

Ashford took the lead a minute before the break against the run of the play. Brett Cooper managed to get in his right wing cross, Gavin Smith met the ball on the full , Clarke pulled off a reflex save but Smith was first to react to head home from close range.

On the hour mark Delton Francis replaced Mark Benbow for his debut this season and within three minutes had a chance blocked by Vinnie O'Sullivan. Rovers were now using the wind to their advantage. Anthony Maguire's snap shot was saved by Burgess on 66 minutes. Burgess had to punch an effort clear from one of his own defenders on 75 minutes as the wind took the ball back towards goal.

Manager Rod Brown changed the system bringing on Matt Barnes-Homer 67mins and James Smith 78 mins for John Snape and Matt Johnson respectively. Rovers were denied an equaliser four minutes later, was on target but Burgess got the faintest of touches to divert the ball away from Smith as he arrived on the far post.

The equaliser finally arrived in the 90th minute. Dyer picked up a crossfield ball from Exodus Geohaghan on the left wing, he side stepped a tackle and produced a 30 yard right foot shot that curled in the wind into the top right hand corner of the net leaving Burgess rooted to the spot. To give Rovers the share of the spoils which they richly deserved.

Ashford Town :- 1. P. Burgess, 2. V. O'Sullivan, 3. R. Lake, 4. R. Canderton, 5. S. Battams,
6. L. Passmore, 7. B. Cooper, 8. S. Langley, 9. G. Smith, 10. S. Todd, 11. S. Harris (sub 16. S. Weight 72).
Subs Not used:- 12. M. Cooper, 14. R. Wellard, 15. R. Newman, 17. T. Wells.

Bromsgrove Rovers :- 1. T. Clarke, 2. M. Johnson (sub 12. J. Smith 78), 3. J. Williams,
4. E. Geohaghan, 5. C. McHale, 6. G. Hurren, 7. M. Benbow (sub 15. D. Francis 60),
8. W. Dyer, 9. A. Maguire, 10. J. Snape (sub 14. M. Barnes-Homer 67), 11. K. Banner.
Subs not used :- 16 S. Hillman, 17. L. Evans.

Referee G. P. Johnson (Ormskirk)
Attendance: 169

Rovers man of the match :- Wayne Dyer