CAPTAIN JACK LEADS THE WAY

As Summer moved into Autumn we found ourselves travelling 50 miles on a Tuesday night to Kempston Rovers in Bedfordshire for a Premier Division game. Our hosts have had an indifferent start to the season – winning their opening 2 games but losing 3 of their next 4 matches although they did manage to get a creditable draw at high riding Biggleswade United.

These midweek away games are always tough but the fact that we were able to field the same line up for the 2nd game running seemed to make a big difference as we were able to come away with an impressive 3-0 victory and keep our 2nd consecutive clean sheet.

Also key to this victory was the influence of an important player who rarely misses a game, always gives 100% and leads by example. The player in question is Captain Jack Harvey who played 51 games last season, which was more than anyone else and although he only scored 2 goals he matched that in this game so hopefully he will go on and score a few more. Our 3rd goal was scored by Max Hercules who finished 2nd behind Jacko in last season’s appearance list with 50 games under his belt.

From the kick off we looked dangerous with Max latching onto a pass from Blake Argent and forcing a good save from the home keeper. But we didn’t have to wait too long for a breakthrough and inevitably it was Max who set the ball rolling with only two minutes showing on the clock, when he was fouled just outside the area. This is always good territory for Max and he didn’t disappoint, placing the shot just inside the right-hand post to get us off to the best possible start. This was Max’s 6th goal of the season after only 7 games. Score 0-1.

A second goal arrived in the 28th minute when Dave O’Connor headed down a free kick taken by Max from near the halfway line and Jack Harvey was on hand to slot the ball home from close range. Score 0-2.

There were no more goals and we finished the first half with a commanding 2 goal lead. HT Score 0-2.

It didn’t take us long to stretch our lead to 3 goals in the second half with Skipper Jack Harvey getting on the score sheet again in the 54th minute. A long throw from Max was somehow missed at the near post and Jacko was able to steal in and head the ball past the keeper. It means Jacko has already equalled his scoring record for last season and hopefully he will add a few more goals to his tally.

We had a chance to add another goal late in the game when highly promising youngster Jack Stone slid an superb inch perfect pass through to fellow teenager Lewis Dixon who was foiled by the keeper who came off his line quickly to make a good save. FT Score 0-3.

This was a terrific performance and result from the lads which pushed us up to 3rd in the table, a point behind league leaders Risboro Rangers who have a game in hand. After a couple of disappointing defeats we have bounced well in our last 2 games during which we have kept clean sheets.

On Saturday we have an A41 derby game against Aylesbury Vale Dynamos at the The Michael Anthony Stadium.

TEAM
TA: Jake Alley, Eli Hearn, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Tommy Smith, David O’Connor (Caden Barber 79), Jack Harvey (Capt), Luke Peerless, Blake Argent (Jack Stone 67), Max Hercules, Harry Shepherd (Frankie Hercules 61), Harry Jones (Lewis Dixon 6).

Scorers:

KR: -

TA: Max Hercules (2), Jack Harvey (28.54)

Crowd: 121