Saturday 18th August 1990
Beazer Homes League Premier Division
Bromsgrove Rovers v. Gravesend and Northfleet
Rovers off to great start
Goals from new signing Steve Cooper and old favourite Chris Hanks ensured Rovers got the Beazer Homes League Premier Division season off to a dream start.
Cooper and his young team-mate Martyn O'Connor were the runaway stars of Saturday's victory, and Rovers Boss Bobby Hope was full of praise for his summer signings. They were very nervous before the game, it was a big step up for them, said Hope.
But once Cooper had scored our first goal he began to relax and could have got a few more. O'Connor has the talent to become a very good player, unfortunately he suffered a knee injury which took some of the shine off his performance. We're keeping our fingers crossed he'll be back for the game against Bashley this weekend.
The new-look midfield of Cooper, O'Connor, Steve Stott and Stewart Brighton, with more than a little help from Paul Webb, set up Rovers' triumph with their tireless running. Hanks and Sylvester Cunningham looked hungry up front.
After an apprehensive start the defensive line-up of Kevin Richardson, Gary Bruce and Jan Mulders grew in confidence. Keeper Nigel Watson was rarely troubled.
I would have settled for 1-0 before the game said Hope. It's nice to start the season with three points, which is unusual for us. Gravesend aren't a bad side, but the next couple of games against Bashley and Burton Albion will show just how good or bad we are.
It was the visitors who made the early running at the Victoria Ground. After five minutes, Dean Bowey headed just wide and then Paul Mitchell unleashed a fierce shot from twenty yards out, into the side netting.
At the other end, an unmarked Cooper missed a golden chance to put Rovers in front when he headed wide with just the keeper to beat in the 13th minute. But the close season signing from Malvern Town put his earlier miss behind him to put Rovers in front after 27 minutes, slipping the ball home after Gravesend keeper Keith Hepple had fumbled Brighton's left wing cross.
This goal was Rovers signal to rush forward. O'Connor wiggled through the defence but couldn't find the finish to match his dazzling run and Mulders saw a speculative 30 yard effort just miss the target.
Rovers increased their lead four minutes after the break. Crosses from Webb and Brighton were only half cleared and Hanks capitalised on the Kent side's confusion. Hanks grabbed his second in the last minute with a simple knock in after Hepple dropped Cunningham's cross. He won't score an easier goal all season.
Report by Teresa Phillips HT: 1-0 FT: 3-0 MOM: O'Connor
ROVERS:1 Nigel Watson 2 Paul Webb 3 Gary Bruce 4 Kevin
Richardson 5 Jan Mulders 6 Steve Cooper 7 Martyn O'Connor 8
Steve Stott 9 Chris Hanks 10 Stewart Brighton 11 Stewart
Cunningham
Subs: Mark Crisp for Cooper 72 mins & Lewis Claxton for O'Connor 81 Mins
Goals: Cooper 27, Hanks 49 & 89 Att: 678 |