SYLVO'S HAT-TRICK PUTS LADS IN FOURTH
Bromsgrove Rovers 3(0) Bath City 1(1)
Beazer Homes League Premier Division
A magnificent hat-trick by striker Sylvester Cunningham sank sad Bath City on Saturday. The result means that Rovers are now lying in fourth spot in the Beazer Homes League Premier Division, just three points behind leaders Wealdstone. And the attacking Reds are also the league's top scorers with 27 goals in 12 games.
But it could so easily have been a tale of disaster with Rovers playing as badly as they did against Halesowen Town last Tuesday in an appalling first half. City continually hassled ragged Rovers and there was little for the Victoria Ground crowd of 759 - the Premier Division's biggest attendance of the day - to get excited about.
The visitors pressure finally paid off with a goal from John Freegard after 41 minutes.
But the second half was a complete revelation for Rovers who dominated throughout. Five minutes after the restart - with Russell Parmenter replacing an off form Paul Webb in midfield - they were back on level terms. City failed to clear the ball out of danger following a corner and Nigel Conniff's cross from the right was powerfully headed home by Cunningham.
Rovers were well on top now and went in front after 67 minutes. City keeper Jim Preston found Conniff's 20 yard free kick too hot to handle and Cunningham followed up to score.
Seven minutes from time the ex-Halesowen Town man completed his first hat trick for the club, sliding the ball home after an explosive run by young Jon Ford. But Rovers' victory was slightly marred by Paul Cooper's sending off in the dying minutes.
Bromsgrove Rovers :- Richard Attwood, Nigel Conniff, Stewart Brighton, Maurice O'Connell, Chris Jones, Paul Cooper, Paul Webb (Russell Parmenter 46 minutes), Jon Ford (Ian Brown 76 minutes), Chris Hanks, Mark Rosegreen, Sylvester Cunningham.
Bath City :- Jim Preston, Paul Stevens, Jason Dodd, Tony Ricketts, Chris Smith, Gary Smart, Bruce Halliday, Keith Brown, John Freegard, David Singleton, Adrian Harris.
Substitutes :- Darren Tilley, Bailey
Referee :- Mr. J. J. Rochell (Kingswinford)
Assistants :- Mr. H. Clarke (Nuneaton), Mr. C. P. Baker
Attendance :- 759 |