Saturday 28th January 2006
Southern League Division One West
Bromsgrove Rovers 1  Brackley Town 1
by Phil Baker

For this match, there was another debutante, this time Chris McHale a defender signed from Kidderminster Harriers. Meanwhile going in the other direction were well-liked midfielder Carl Adams and striker Ben Porter, who looked to have potential but probably did not make sufficient impact in his time at the Victoria Ground.

Tactics changed as well with manager Rod Brown opting for a three man defence of McHale, Geohaghan, and Williams with Matt Johnson and Steve Hillman playing as wing-backs. Gavin Hurren slotted into mid-field with Wayne Dyer and Mark Benbow. Paul Moore and Jimmy Smith playing up front.

It is a pity that this attacking formation did not produce attacking football and as non-events go, the first half of this match was a classic. All the play was in mid-field, not a single shot on target from either side so neither 'keepers being over worked. Brackley looked as if they had come for a point and Rovers seemed to be very wary of over-committing themselves so we ended up with a stalemate up to half-time.

The game at least had a bit more action as the second half started with Paul Moore coming close after just three minutes but then we had a stoppage for just under twenty minutes when Jimmy Smith appeared to get knocked out after the ball struck his throat. It was sufficient for him to be left on the pitch until the ambulance arrived and the good news is that he was discharged from hospital later in the evening.

Kevin Banner replaced Steve Hillman on the left and this substitution gave the home team a bit more momentum going forward. Kevin himself with two well-taken free-kicks and Matt Johnson with a good attempt from a corner came closest but it was the visitors who took the lead at the point where both teams were getting increasingly bad-tempered and frustrated.

Matt Murphy won a tackle just inside the Rovers half and after a good run turned a cross into the Rovers box which hit Chris McHale on the arm. It looked accidental but despite Rovers' protests Mr Gratton stood his ground on awarding the visitors a penalty which Murphy himself converted on the 90th minute.

Encouraged by a lot of arm waving and shouting from the bench Rovers went in search of the equaliser and it deservedly came just three minutes later when Paul Moore latched on to a loose ball after a goalmouth scramble and made no mistake in thumping the ball into the roof of Brackley's net.

After that the game returned to the first half doldrums with both teams defending strongly and being reluctant to do other than rely on breaks. The only incident of note up to the final whistle was a straight red card for Anthony Maguire after fouling Paul Spacey. It was but unnecessary and somewhat out of character for Maguire and several in the crowd were wondering if he was implementing Rod Brown's "getting stuck in" policy or more likely the consequences of a rather frustrating afternoon on the pitch for both teams.

Another two points gone begging for Rovers and whilst the leading clubs take turns in slipping up those in and around the play off positions are consolidating their positions. At one place below halfway, the play-offs are still possible but with each lost point the cause becomes more difficult.

Rovers: Tim Clarke, Matt Johnson, Joe Williams, Chris McHale, Exodus Geohaghan, Gavin Hurren, Mark Benbow, Wayne Dyer, Jimmy Smith (Anthony Maguire 49 mins), Paul Moore, Steve Hillman (Kevin Banner 77 mins). Subs not used: Lee Evans, Matt Barnes-Homer, John Snape.

Brackley Town: Richard Knight, Craig Farley, Phil Murphy, Mike Ford (Mike Stephenson 49 mins), Martin Brown, Andy Williams, Paul Spacey, Guy Hadland, Arthur Appleton, Matt Murphy, Jermaine Ferreira (Peter Spacey 45 mins). Subs not used: Greg Gardner, Jonathan Evans, Chris Howard.

Referee: Mr D Gratton (Olton)
Attendance: 327

Baker's MoM for Rovers: Matt Johnson