BEN HILL scored a hat-trick as Bromsgrove Rovers AFC returned to winning ways with a 4-2 victory against Polesworth North Warwick to maintain their title ambitions, writes Neil Gordon.
Hill struck twice in the first half and again after the break before Ryan Moore blasted home at the death as the Greens survived a scare at Charford Road.
For lowly Polesworth, Ewen Reeve and Patrick Smith scored during a second-half resurgence.
Rovers AFC picked up their first points after back-to-back league defeats and remain second in the Birmingham and District League Division Two table, three points behind leaders Silhill who they face next.
Polesworth created two good chances during the opening half-hour only for Hill to open the scoring with a low shot deflected home via the boots of the visiting goalkeeper.
The Polesworth goalkeeper then allowed an innocuous high bouncing ball to slip from his grasp under no pressure as Hill pounced to finish into an empty net and double the home side’s lead.
And Rovers AFC spurned a glorious chance to extend their lead on the stroke of half time when Bailey Depper-Gwilliams uncharacteristically shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
Hill completed his hat-trick after the interval when he coolly dispatched a low angled drive to seemingly put the result beyond doubt.
However, Polesworth reduced the deficit as Reeve finished off a sweeping counter-attack after the Greens’ Alex Hopper had forced a save at the other end.
And Smith stunned Bromsgrove soon after when he converted a free-kick to cut the deficit to a single goal.
Polesworth’s Reece Thompson then gave Rovers a fright when his curling shot hit the base of the inside of the post and bounced clear.
However, Bromsgrove eventually sealed the points late on as Moore ruthlessly volleyed home an exquisite cross from Jack Byford.
Rovers AFC manager Spencer Machin said: “We totally controlled the first-half and could have finished with double figures.”
Bromsgrove are next in action against league leaders Silhill on Saturday, March 8 with kick-off at 2.30pm and admission free at Sharmans Cross Road.
