In front of a bumper crowd just shy of 1200 Rovers dented the title aspirations of the midlands team with a battling performance that ranks amongst the best of the season. Bromsgrove were up for the game from the off and very nearly capitalised on a mistake at the back in the 1st min but some astute defending mopped up the danger. The hosts came forward with menace at The Rovers but attack after attack was seen off as Rovers confidence grew, Victor Osobu made a great run into Bromsgrove area but was muscled off the ball before pulling the triger, then a Drew Phillips over head kick sailed wide of the target. The hosts really had the upper hand but Rovers were confident and assured in their defending until the 34th minute when a fine strike from Josh Quaynor beat Gary Malone in the Barton goal to give the hosts a 1-0 lead that stood at the half time interval.
The start of the 2nd half was more of the same but Barton were far from being out of the game, content with sitting and attacking on the break. Bromsgroves 2nd goal came from the spot after Barton’s captain was very harshly adjudged to have handled the ball in the area with Richard Gregory making no mistake bulging the onion bag, 2-0 to the high flying hosts and a seemingly impossible mountain to club from the Bedfordshire village side. If the 1192 crowd thought the game was over then mistaken they were as The Rovers rolled up their sleeves, dug in and brought about a come back that was worthy of performance of the season. Firstly Tony Williams latched onto a through ball, beat 2 defenders rounded the keeper and slotted home from a narrow angle to give Rovers some belief, then a minute later Victor Osobu brought the sides level with a smart finish past an on rushing keeper from 15 yards out, 2-2. The game ebbed and flowed but the hosts looked more a mid table side by this point rather than title chasers as Rovers almost snatched it in time added on when a Drew Phillips effort struck the foot of the keeper preventing a certain goal. The game ended 2 a piece but all credit for the point must go to the Barton team who worked their socks off against tough opposition. |