British Gas Business League Division One Midland
Tuesday 14th November 2006 - 7:45 p.m. kick-off
Stourbridge 3  Bromsgrove Rovers 3
By Phil Baker

When the fixture list was issued four months ago this was the match everybody wanted to see and it lived up to reputation.

Not sure how many Rovers players have been through the Memorial Ground but counting up, thirteen of the Stourbridge squad have been on Rovers books, not least manager Gary Hackett and his assistant Jon Ford so unceremoniously dismissed at the end of the 2002-3 season.

But that was in the past and here were two of the clubs fancied for getting out of the division this season and effectively six points to play for.

Hardly surprising a fast and furious start with no such thing as a 50-50 ball and nothing between the sides for the first 10 minutes though Mark Bellingham came closest on four minutes when his attempt went wide of the left hand post.

First blood went to Rovers when on-loan mid-fielder from Moor Green Richard Scott hit a fabulous shot from just outside the Stourbridge penalty area over the defence and 'keeper Lewis Solly into the top left hand corner.

The lead only lasted another two minutes though when midfielder Leon Broadhurst threaded a fine pass through to Mark Bellingham who outflanked Rovers' defence and easily beat James Coates.

Still nothing between the two sides though Rovers appeared to favour the route one approach while Stourbridge preferred to keep the ball on the ground and use the width of the pitch. It was the visitors who again took the lead when Collins handled inside the area and Nathan Lamey converted the spot kick.

After the interval the home side took the game by the scruff of the neck and had half a dozen good chances that Rovers either scrambled away or were well-saved by Coates. It took them until 73 minutes to get the deserved equaliser when Scott Stevenson pounced on a pass from Paul Moore after Chris McHale had missed his tackle, sliding the ball past Coates from ten yards.

With a draw looking likely, Stourbridge still looked the more determined outfit and after forcing Rovers to concede a corner just after the 90 minutes, Nathan Bennett rose well above the pack and from the kick firmly headed home.

Rovers however were not beaten and with five added minutes on the clock Paul Carty managed to squeeze between two defenders on the left, put a good cross into the goal area which Stuart Skidmore managed to get enough of a touch to give Rovers the equaliser.

All in all a fabulous match and a true red-blooded local derby. One casualty on the night was Stourbridge left winger Sam Rock who had to go off on a stretcher after a late tackle from Chris McHale.

Probably a result neither team wanted especially with Brackley winning again and Stourbridge will be the more disappointed of the two as they were the better team over 90 minutes.

Stourbridge: Lewis Solly, Andy Wells (Tim Nicholls 85 mins), Morgan Brookes,
Ross Collins, Adam Bastable, Nathan Bennett, Sam Rock (Paul Moore 50 mins),
Leon Broadhurst, Mark Bellingham, Craig Slater, Scott Stevenson.
Subs not used: James Dyson, Steve Frost, Jamie Rogers.

Rovers: James Coates, James Smith, Scott Stamps, Chris McHale, Carl Heeley,
John Snape (Neil Davis 67 mins), Stuart Skidmore, Richard Scott (Paul Carty 85 mins), Gary Hay, Nathan Lamey (Paul Lloyd 77 mins), Daire Doyle.
Subs not used: Wayne Dyer, Chris Taylor

Scorers: Rovers - Scott (10 mins), Lamey (38 mins, pen), Snape (84 mins), Skidmore (90+5 mins)
Stourbridge - Bellingham (12 mins), Stevenson (73 mins), Bennett (90+1 mins)

Yellows: Rovers - Snape, McHale; Stourbridge - Bellingham
Attendance: 544

Referee:             Mr J Law (Holt Heath)
Baker's MoM for Rovers: James Coates