Rammed out the Trophy

Rovers arrived at the home of the Rams looking to go further in the competition than ever before, but hopes of progress were firmly knocked into touch as the home side controlled the evening.

The game was barely four minutes old when the first warning shot was fired, Nathan Webb curling over the Rovers bar from the edge of the box after some intricate build up play. Brendan Matthew then forced Martin Conway into an early save, to sharply deny the forward at the near post. Fifteen minutes in, however, Callum Webb found some space on the left hand side of the box and after some jinking, hit a cross shot goalward. The ball found the net via a wicked deflection off the unfortunate Collard. Webb then had another chance as he found freedom on the Rovers right, a mazy run and shot required another smart save from Conway. From their first meaningful attack of the game, in the twenty first minute, Rovers got level. A left wing cross from Josh Crawley wasn’t cleared properly and fell perfectly for Ben Acquaye to fizz a volley past Constable in the Beaconsfield goal. Luke Heneghan then saw a shot fly wide of the target as Kempston started to find their feet in the game. Charlie Losasso was the next Rams player to test Conway, the keeper again produced a smart save to tip the ball round for a corner. With ten minutes to play before the break, the hosts were in front again. Brendan Matthew was played in through the middle and the former Egham frontman calmly slotted his effort beyond Conway. Heneghan forced two good saves from Constable, who then showed the other side to his game, casually losing possession on the edge of the box to Crawley who was allowed to set himself, but could only find the post with his shot. The let off allowed Beaconsfield to keep their lead at the break.

In the second half, James Taylor, the leader of the Rams midfield quartet, had a first time snap shot saved by Conway. Mason Spence was lucky to avoid a caution for a rash challenge in front of the dugouts, going in too recklessly. The referee deciding to speak with the player rather than show cards. On the hour, a free kick played in by Daly was nodded down into the path of Matthew, but the Beaconsfield striker’s tame header was saved. Two home subs then combined as Mendy’s scuffed shot fell kindly for Stead who flashed a volley just wide of goal. In the seventy first minute, hopes of a Kempston come back were all but extinguished as Mason Spence was shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident. It was the only time the referee reached for his cards all game, although there wasn’t too much complaint from players near the incident about the decision. With less than fifteen minutes to go, Rovers had a free kick on the half way line, Heneghan saw Constable standing well out of his goal, trying to organise his defence. The quick-thinking midfielder decided to chance his arm and shot at goal. With Constable scrambling, the ball dipped just over the bar. In stoppage time, Mendy thought he had the chance to settle matters, but when clean through on goal, couldn’t make meaningful contact on the ball and stumbled. Beaconsfield did get the third goal they deserved in the fifth minute of stoppage time, a breakaway saw Mendy square the ball across goal where O’Regan was waiting to tap home into the empty net for three one with the last kick of the game.

Kempston have equalled their best ever progress in the FA Trophy this season in making this round, but couldn’t quite make it further. Attention now turns back to the league and a home game on Saturday with Dunstable Town ahead of more cup action next Tuesday and the visit of Luton Town in the county cup.