Saturday 25th March 2006
Southern League Division One West
Rushall Olympic 1  Bromsgrove Rovers 1
by Phil Baker

A somewhat fortuitous own goal way after 90 minutes gave Rovers a deserved point after being just about the better side in the second half. In the absence of Rod Brown, away on holiday this week after watching Hitchin last Saturday, assistant manager cum player-coach, John Snape dropped himself to the bench allowing Steve Hillman to resume his position at left back whilst Joe Williams moved to the middle of defence with Exodus Geohaghan. Matt Johnson came back into the team for Paul Moore but playing right midfield leaving Neil Davis as the lone striker.

Rushall had the better of the play and territory in the first half though they needed a superbly taken goal to go in with a one-nil advantage at half-time. Neil Kitching did the damage when he latched on to a long clearance from goalkeeper Chris Gemmill half-volleying on the turn from just outside the box and hitting hard into the top right hand corner leaving Lee Evans well-beaten.

Rushall probably thought the three points were in the bag late in the second half when Leon Allen playing out on the right was put through beating the off-side tap and with Evans well out of position, instead of banging the ball into an empty net put it wide of the left-hand post.

Allen was one of four ex-Rovers in the 'Pics starting line-up along with Troy Doughlin, Ben Porter and Marcus Jackson. Riad Erraji has played for both sides this season and Richard Gardner out of action with an injury was another former Green around the ground.

Rushall could have gone ahead in the second minute when Ben Porter appeared to be fouled in the Rovers penalty area but Mr O'Sullivan waved play on and the visitors survived an early scare. Both teams had a few half-chances with the best coming from Neil Davis on 6 minutes when he forced a good save out of Chris Gemmell whilst at the other end both Ben Porter broke free and Evans had to make a good stop.

Neil Kitching's goal came on 36 minutes and after that the game got stuck in the middle of the park until the ref blew for the interval.

Rovers had the advantage of playing down Dales Lane's merciless slope after the break and full credit to the groundsmen who has done much work in the morning the make the pitch playable after a lot of rain.

Luke Reynolds came on early in the second half for left winger Kevin Banner allowing Rovers to play two strikers. This immediately caused problems for the Rushall defence with both him and Davis having a couple of reasonable chances.

Rushall were clearly defending their lead and relied mainly on breaks to get forward, how many times have we seen that this season? Substitute Jordan Lee worked well on the left but seldom had anyone to make decent pass to whilst Leon Allen as mentioned earlier missed a sitter with just eight minutes to go.

Much attention was focused on Marcus Jackson, who is usually worth the admission fee but he had a quite game being well marked by Joe Williams. Usually former Rovers players have blinders when they line up against their former club, Ben Porter certainly looked more comfortable in an orange shirt but Jackson rarely threatened thus making him a rare commodity of playing better for Rovers than the team he moved on to.

Rovers' equaliser came courtesy of a good chip by Matt Johnson from about 10 yards off the halfway line. With nearly every other player waiting in the box there was a mad scramble when Luke Reynolds appeared to get some part of his body to the ball but those standing behind the goal reckoned Rob Vassell was the unfortunate to get the last touch before it went over the line.

Not a classic match as neither team had much to play for but the game did have a few entertaining moments.

Full marks also to Rushall who have a small but friendly ground and are probably punching above their weight in this league. They also produce a superb programme for just £1.

Rovers (3-2-4-1): Lee Evans, Jimmy Smith (James Forrest 74 mins), Steve Hillman (Capt), Joe Williams, Exodus Geohaghan, Riad Erraji, Mark Benbow, Wayne Dyer, Neil Davis,
Matt Johnson, Kevin Banner (Luke Reynolds 70 mins)
Subs not used: Chris McHale, John Snape, Liam McDonald

Rushall Olympic (4-4-2): Chris Gemmell, Marcus Jackson, Tim Jackson, Richard Brown (Capt), Troy Doughlin, Rob Vassell, Leon Allen, Rob Holdcroft, Neil Kitching (Jordan Lee 81 mins), Ben Porter (Tyrone Barnett 72 mins), Neil Barnfield (John Quilt 90+2 mins)
Subs not used: Dean Baker, Simon Truman

Attendance: 188
Referee: Mr G O'Sullivan (Gloucester)