British Gas Business League Division One Midland
Saturday 17th March 2007 - 3:00 p.m. kick-off
Bromsgrove Rovers 2 (0) Brackley Town 0 (0)
By Phil Baker

Probably the biggest match at the Victoria Ground this season with the top club playing the second. However with Brackley ten points ahead and three games in hand, it was hardly a six-pointer but there was pride and bragging rights at stake as well as the slim possibility that Rovers could catch up with the soaraway leaders.

The first half was a bit like the first few rounds of a boxing match with both teams sizing each other up and reluctant to try anything risky. It did not make for exciting football and there was an air of disappointment at half-time that the game was not living up to the expectation but then again football fans are a difficult bunch to please.

There were a few chances though. In the first minute Rovers went close and the visitors looked relieved to clear off the line. Kevin Banner forced them to do the same again from a free kick 20 minutes later. For the division leaders, Leon Doughty got a good save out of Danny Woodhall on 30 minutes whilst Matt Murphy Headed over from a corner three minutes later.

Brackley appeared to be keener to get on with the game in the second half though their niggly fouls and defensive play suggested that a point would keep them happy. Rovers bit by bit started to dictate the pace a play. Newcomer Jermaine Clarke, signed earlier in the week from Evesham, hit a shot just over the bar on 50 minutes but the turning point came on 71 minutes when Danny Scheppel tried an effort from about 25 yards, it swerved away from 'keeper Richard Knight and went sweetly in to the top right hand corner. We don't get many like that at this level of football so not only was the goal significant it was also a candidate for Rovers' goal of the season.

Cue for Brackley to up their tempo. They did have a couple of reasonable efforts particularly a hard shot from substitute Anthony Fontenelle on 85 minutes but their push up front left them seriously exposed at the back. This was exploited by Rovers with a quick break up the right three minutes into added time; Paul Lloyd evaded his marker and crossed to Scott Eaton who with just the goalkeeper to beat slotted home from close range.

So Rovers get all the points and a morale boosting 'can do' victory. Brackley will still probably win the title but with a slender chance of overtaking their top of the table rivals, Rovers today did their chances no harm at all.

Rovers: Danny Woodhall, Chris Cotterill, John Snape, Chris McHale, Carl Heeley,
Sam Allsop (Paul Lloyd 75 mins), Danny Scheppel (Stuart Skidmore 83 mins), Wayne Dyer, Nathan Lamey, Jermaine Clarke (Scott Eaton 78 mins), Kevin Banner.
Subs not used: Neil Davis, Rapinder Gill.

Brackley: Richard Knight, Craig Farley, Les Hines, Leon Doughty, Martin Brown (Danny Spencer 81 mins), Andy Williams (capt), Elliot Sandy, Scott Hadland, Paul Murphy (Rory May 65 mins), Matt Murphy, Tom Winters (Anthony Fontenelle 65 mins).
Subs not used: Guy Hadland, James Saulsbury.

Scorers: Rovers - Scheppel (71 mins), Eaton (90+3 mins)
Yellows: Rovers - Scheppel;  Brackley - Farley

Attendance: 544
Referee: Mr J A Shefield (Walsall)

Baker's MoM for Rovers: John Snape