Rovers ramp it up

This fixture was originally meant to be taking place at Buckingham’s Stratford Fields ground, however the recent dry weather has left their playing surface in need of extra time to recover for the season ahead, so the game was switched to Hillgrounds.

Buckingham started the brighter and looked to press from the outset, but after ten minutes, Rovers were in front, Crawley hitting a left foot shot high into the net. Crawley doubled the lead shortly afterwards with another neat finish. It was three nil midway through the half when Acquaye pulled back to the edge of the area where McNulty arrived at the right time to drill the ball into the opposite bottom corner. Just on half time, Shepherd made it four with a free kick in off the post.

Early in the second half Crawley completed his hat-trick, smashing in off the underside of the bar having been played through by Bush. Buckingham did manage to pull a goal back mid way through the half, a low shot from the edge of the box left Knox unsighted as it went into the corner of the net. The deficit was further reduced late on with a looping header from a drilled cross. Buckingham threatened further but couldn’t add to their score. Rovers endeavoured to add to their tally, but couldn’t. Five two the final score.

Rovers move on to face Leighton Town, in what is now their only away pre-season fixture before next Tuesday hosting AFC Rushden & Diamonds for the Harry Robinson Trophy.