BROMSGROVE Rovers AFC returned to winning ways and kept up their promotion hopes with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Hopwood Swifts, writes Neil Gordon.
First-half goals from Ash Pardoe, Sam Horton and an own goal, coupled to a Dan Gibson’s second-half strike, saw Rovers come from behind to secure victory and surpass their points tally for last season at Woodfield Academy.
The result sees Bromsgrove return to second in the Birmingham and District Football League Division Two table, one point behind leaders Silhill who have two games in hand.
Rovers will go top if they beat Hopwood in the return fixture on Wednesday, but look set to miss out on the title to Silhill or North Solihull despite a valiant first season playing in a higher division.
Ryan Grundy opened the scoring for Hopwood after just four minutes as the Greens were caught cold.
However, Bromsgrove hit back in style with Pardo’s excellent volley and Sam Horton’s long-range blast combining to put them 2-1 up.
Moments later Brad Field struck for Hopwood to make it 2-2 with just 16-minutes played.
The Hopwood goalkeeper then let the ball slip from his grasp and over the line to put Bromsgrove 3-2 ahead at the interval.
And Gibson fired a fourth on the hour mark to seal the points and maintain Rovers promotion hopes, in a match soured late on by injury to the Greens Liam Chatterley.
Bromsgrove complete their league campaign with the return fixture against Hopwood Swifts on Wednesday, April 16. Kick-off is 6.30pm at Studley Sports and Social Club, Eldorado Close and admission is free.
