BROMSGROVE Rovers AFC secured their first win of the season following a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Nechells Athletic, writes Neil Gordon.
Early goals from captain Ryan Moore and Ash Pardoe put Rovers in command at South Bromsgrove High School before Chris Pollard pulled a goal back for the visitors.
However, Bromsgrove’s win was overshadowed by a horror head injury sustained by Nechells goalkeeper George Harrington who was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital.
The result means Rovers sit eighth in the Birmingham and District Football League Division Two table after two matches.
Bromsgrove made the perfect start when Moore headed in from close range after just four minutes.
And the home side won a penalty soon after after Harrington fouled Jack Dawkins in the box as the latter chased a bouncing ball.
Harrington stayed down and received lengthy treatment after seeming to injure his head on the playing surface when landing from his challenge with Dawkins.
After a lengthy delay the game resumed with outfield player Khizar Hayat taking the gloves for Nechells as Pardoe converted the resulting penalty.
Nechells halved the deficit early in the second period when Pollard found the net from close range following a low ball in from the left.
The referee suspended play for 15 minutes midway through the second half as an ambulance arrived and paramedics took the injured Harrington to hospital following some pitchside treatment.
After the restart, Rovers almost sealed the points onlu for Dawkins’ powerful header at a corner to come back off the post.
However, the home side saw out a lengthy injury time period to seal their first win of the new campaing.
Rovers boss Spencer Machin said: “We controlled the first half and deserved more goals. We turned the ball over well and hit them on the counter.”
Elsewhere, the club’s reserve side lost 4-1 against Sporting Athletic as Connor Willis scored a consolation goal for Rovers.
Bromsgrove are next in action against Polesworth North Warwick B on Saturday, September 21 with kick-off at 2.30pm at Tamworth Road and admission free.
