Rovers edge replay

Kempston Rovers came in to this replay without influential defender Collard and game a first start to both Harlem Sambu and Luke Heneghan.

Rovers were in front as early as the third minute, as Shane Bush threaded a beautiful ball through to Josh Crawley. The forward bore down on goal and slipped a cheeky finish between the keepers legs to open the scoring. Dan Fleming forced a save from Conway and had another great chance to level before his team mate Jones had a long shot go well wide. Alan Hedley had two glorious chances to draw Chalfont level, putting a free header wide and not converting a cross. Charlie Mitchell had the last effort on goal of the half, seeing a shot take a wicked deflection and going only just over Martin Conway’s crossbar.

Crawley could’ve extended the Rovers lead in the opening moments of the second half, he took the ball around Dennison in the Chalfont goal, but was denied the goal by a wonderful clearance after he cut back on to his favoured left foot rather than roll the ball in to the empty net with his right. Just before the hour mark, Chalfont had a penalty after Alfie Powell was judged to have fouled his man in the box after lunging into a challenge. Adam Kirby stepped up and sent the ball to the keeper’s left for one all. Less than two minutes later, the visitors had turned the game completely around, Charlie Mitchell ran at the Rovers defence, beating two men and unleashing a daisy-cutter into the far corner of the net. Kempston got an equaliser with nine minutes to go, sub Ty Deacon getting his first goal for the club, slamming the ball into the net after seeing his initial header come back off the bar. Late on, Nathan Tshikuna was shown a straight red card for what the referee deemed to be a high challenge, although it looked harsh. The referee blew for full time after seven added minutes to signal extra time.

In the extra period, Shane Bush became the fifth Kempston player on the night to be cautioned, although his challenge looked to be worse than that of Tshikuna that was deemed worthy of a red. With no goal mouth action in extra time, it was to be penalties that decided this replay.
With one spot kick scored each, Rovers keeper Conway stepped up and scored to put Kempston 2-1 in the driving seat. He then faced Kirby, as he had done in the second half. This time, he was able to beat away the defender’s kick. Libertucci scored to ramp up the pressure on Chalfont. Sub Jordan Berry hit the bar, leaving Ben Shepherd the simple task of scoring to put Rovers through. He duly dispatched his kick to send Rovers’ fans wild.

The win sets up a home tie with Marlow in the next round, which will be played on the 22nd of September. Rovers next game is the ‘El-Kempstico’ against near neighbours Bedford Town on Saturday at 3pm.