Rovers' FA Cup celebration!
Rovers' FA Cup celebration!
Rovers' FA Cup celebration!
Bromsgrove Rovers 2, Alvechurch 0
BRILLIANT Bromsgrove Rovers stormed into the third qualifying round of the FA Cup with a stunning victory over local rivals Alvechurch.
The Reds' opponents in Saturday's clash will be Bedworth United, who are currently propping up the Beazer Homes League Premier Division with just three points from eight games.
A noisy crowd of 1,189 — Rovers best of the season — packed into the Victoria Ground on Tuesday night confident of an absorbing second replay and they weren't disappointed.
Rovers kicked off determined to stamp their authority on the game and 'Church were completely left behind in the first half as the home side poured on the pressure and turned on the style.
Striker Mark Rosegreen was in terrific form and was obviously keen to prove a point after being substituted during Rovers' league match at Crawley Town on Saturday.
Olympic gold medallist Ian Taylor was the guest of honour at the Victoria Ground and Rosie appeared to have discovered his own Midas touch.
After 28 minutes Rovers took the lead with a hot favourite for goal of the season. Rosie began the classic move deep in his own half. Webb then found the ball in the middle of the park and swept it wide to Cunningham on the right wing.
The tall number 11 coolly worked wonders on the touchline, twisting and turning past a bemused Hart. He then drove in an inch perfect cross for Rosie to head past Watson.
In the second half, the visitors rallied a little and came close to snatching an equaliser. Ex-Rovers favourite Steve Stott was looking dangerous up front. He was also booked for a silly foul on Cooper.
'Church brought on Pinnock and Volrath in a determined attempt to come back at Rovers but whenever they did find an opening skipper Maurice O'Connell, making a welcome return to the side after injury, was on hand to make brave clearances. Atwood always looked assured in goal.
In the last minute, Rovers put the result beyond any doubt.
Chris Hanks pounced on an appalling back pass and made no mistake in firing home for his tenth goal of the season.
Rovers manager Phil Mullen said it had been a "tough team to kill off".
Phil said: "We were the better side over the three games, but all credit to them. We seemed to relax a bit in the second half and they came back at them again and the pressure paid off with another goal."
Assistant Pat Lynch was full of praise for goalscorer Mark Rosegreen.
Pat said: "He played superbly and was always full of running. It was a typical cup tie, full of end to end excitement. All of the team was great."
And so it's Bedworth, and little opportunity for the Rovers' lads to get over the second round marathon.
The Warwickshire team has been going through troubled time recently. Manager John Mason resigned after the first qualifying round tie against Bourne Town which ended in a 1-1 draw.
John Hannah then took over the hot seat and United won the replay 4-3. In the second qualifying round they were 3-2 winners at Barton Rovers.
On their current league form, United don't appear to be much of a threat to Rovers' future cup progress, but with the recent signing of former Eire international Jimmy Holmes they are hoping for a quick turnaround in their fortunes.
Kick-off at the Victoria Ground is 3pm.