BROMSGROVE Rovers AFC missed the chance to reach the Bill Hill Cup final after losing 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller against Galore.
Rovers took the lead through captain Alex Footman’s header before Tom Hill drew the home side level in the second period and Dan Hagyard netted a late consolation at South Bromsgrove High School.
The result brings an end to Bromsgrove’s seven-game winning run in all competitions as Rovers suffered their first defeat since October.
Rovers deservedly went in front on 26 minutes when Footman headed home only for Sakaria Jamal to level the game for Galore two minutes later.
And Jamal scored his second of the game from the penalty spot to complete the turnaround before the break.
Galore then lost Aden Ali to injury after he committed a foul on Rovers’ Jack Hopper as the visiting player received lengthy treatment before eventually being taken to hospital with suspected ligament damage.
Rovers restored parity at the start of the second half as Hill poked home from close range after the Galore goalkeeper parried Hagyard’s effort from distance into the scorer’s path.
However, Galore reclaimed the lead on 80 minutes as Mushin Salad struck after Rovers keeper George Harris lost possession with the home side appealing for a foul which saw Ash Pardoe sent to the sin bin.
Galore sealed their place in the final deep into injury time when Sabas Saeed finished off a flowing move before Hagyard scored a consolation for Rovers with an excellent free-kick.
Rovers boss Spencer Machin said: “It was a disappointing result with sloppy defending costing us, lessons will be learned.”
Bromsgrove are next in action away at Wake Green Amateur B on Saturday, February 10 with kick-off at 2.30pm at The Holloway.
