A SOLID WIN ON THE ROAD

A lovely sunny Easter Monday saw us make the 70 mile round trip to Bedfordshire for our 4th ever match against a struggling Kempston Rovers team who are one off the bottom of the League and with 2 games to go are battling against relegation.

In front of a reasonable crowd of 140 (although it looked like there were more people than that) both teams put on an entertaining game. The facilities at Kempston’s stadium are superb and the hospitality was very welcoming and friendly.

After being denuded of players at Risborough Rangers 2 days earlier, where we only had 2 players on the bench, we were able to field a much stronger line up with Max Hercules, Dylan Whitelock, Michael Olulode, Noah Butler and Dexter Purton added to the team sheet.

We started strongly with Blake Argent having a clear sight of goal after only 2 minutes but his shot failed to test home keeper Tommy Howard. The home keeper was called into more serious action in the next 23 minutes with a series of terrific saves to initially deny Max Hercules and Dylan Whitelock and then he saved a close range shot and then header from Blake Argent.

We finally broke the ice in the 26th minute when from a Max Hercules corner James Kimber stole in at the near post and was able to score his 5th goal of the season. Score 0-1. Eight minutes later a pass from Max Hercules set up Blake again but he fired over the bar and on a better day the teenager could have had a hat-trick.

We were certainly dominating possession and defensively we were not overly stretched with Jake Alley largely a spectator in goal but right back Meshell Yeboah had the best of the home team’s efforts in the 10th minute with an effort that drifted wide of the goal. Later in the 35th minute Kempston’s lively centre forward Stephen Enow won the ball in a dangerous area and some space opened up for him but his well struck shot went straight at Jake Alley.

We played very well in the first half but a one goal lead was a slim return for the chances we had created but on the positive side we had our noses in front at the break. HT Score 0-1.

Five minutes into the start of the second half we took the early chance that came our way to double our lead. Greg Deer took a short free kick to Dylan Fitzpatrick who played a precise pass into Harry Jones who cleverly held up the ball then laid it off nicely to Dylan Whitelock to score his 21st goal of the season. Score 0-2.

In response Stephen Enow got his head to a good cross but his effort went well over the bar but Kempston were enjoying more possession and Jake Alley had to be alert to make some good saves from a couple of corners.

A minute before the hour mark Max Hercules was tripped in the area following a throw from Dylan Fitzpatrick. Greg Deer stepped up and smashed in a no-nonsense penalty to give us a commanding 3 goal lead. Score 0-3.

If we thought it was now game over we were sadly mistaken as Kempston raised their game and put us under some pressure from a series of set pieces and they were rewarded in the 81st minute when Mohamed Soumah reduced the deficit from a corner. Score 1-3.

It gave the home side some hope that they could get something from the game but we again raised our game and saw out the 9 minutes plus added time without too much trouble. FT Score 1-3.

Full marks to our hosts for raising their game when all seemed lost and we wish them the best for the rest of the season.

Our next fixture is a League match at home to Sawbridgeworth Town on Saturday then on the following Wednesday 15 April we face Baldock Town in the Final of the Herts Charity Shield so we still have trophy to play for as well as trying to finish as high as we can in the table.

Team

Jake Alley, Michael Olulode (Liam Mann 79), James Kimber, Greg Deer, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Noah Butler (Dexter Purton 61), Jack Harvey (Capt), Blake Argent (Frankie Hercules 65), Max Hercules, Harry Jones, Dylan Whitelock. Sub not used: Harry Shepherd.

Scorers

KR: Mohamed Soumah (81)

TA: James Kimber (26), Dylan Whitelock (50), Greg Deer Pen (59)

Crowd: 140