Rovers named two new signings on the bench as the exodus of players who pledged loyalty to new manager Tony Joyce continues.
The game was played in appalling conditions, with the freezing wind and driving rain relentlessly battering players and fans alike.
The game saw its first incident in the eighth minute, as Rovers came forward Izale McLeod attempted the thread the ball through to a team mate, but the ball ran to a Bromsgrove shirt, the defender then played the ball back to the keeper. Brown, under pressure from Josh Crawley picked the ball up, leaving everyone in the ground apart from the referee convinced that a free kick for a back pass should have been awarded. Bromsgrove took no time in capitalising on the let off, breaking to the other end of the field and firing the opening goal through skipper Richard Gregory. Chances were few and far between as the weather battered the ground, but Bromsgrove midfielder Hayward saw the next clear attempt fly over the Kempston bar, shooting from the edge of the box after good work down the right by Dowd. Dowd extended the Bromsgrove lead eight minutes from the break, with a long range effort that took a looping deflection to beat Knox in the Rovers goal. The ground emptied at half time as players and fans sought refuge and warmth.
An early warning shot from Gregory was curled over the bar at the start of the second period. Rovers did not take heed and two minutes later were punished again, as Cowley danced his way through a couple of players on the edge of the box and curled a low shot across goal to make it three. Bromsgrove withdrew two of their better players with half an hour to go, with the busy Christmas schedule in mind and this game already seemingly won. One of the subs Pryce hit the bar late on after Knox had parried the initial shot. Deep into injury time, a corner was swung in to the box where Cowley was on hand to tap home to make it four nil.
With the result, Bromsgrove Sporting hit top spot in the league table and are easily the best footballing side that Kempston have come up against this season. The defeat, coupled with other results sees Rovers dip into the bottom two for the first time since being promoted to this level three seasons ago.
Rovers are away next weekend at AFC Dunstable before a double header at home over the festive break, entertaining fellow strugglers Kidlington on Boxing Day and then Aylesbury United on the 29th.
Report courtesy of Matthew Wilmot - Kempston Rovers. |