Stalemate

Rovers marathon October will be extended to nine matches in twenty eight days as a replay is required to separate them from Beaconsfield Town in the FA Trophy.

Last season’s Southern League Division One champions, Beaconsfield Town arrived at Hillgrounds on the back of some good recent form and nearly took an early lead as Reece Yorke saw a fourth minute header loop into the arms of Martin Conway. Rovers were looking to the referee on five minutes as Ben Shepherd floated a free kick into the box, Shane Bush looked to have been hauled to the ground in the middle, stopping him from making any contact with the ball but the referee was unmoved. A smart counter attack nearly saw Rovers hit the front as Ty Deacon and Bush combined to set up Luke Heneghan, the midfielder’s curling shot was tipped for a corner by the exentric Constable in the Rams goal. A breathless opening ten minutes was capped with the opening goal for the visitors, a corner was floated in and headed back across goal by Louis Stead, to find Daniel Brown waiting to bundle the ball home. The game became very physical and frustrating as the referee seemed to mither between what was strong physical play and what was foul conduct. Rovers created their equaliser just before the half hour. A throw in the left hand channel was worked into the box by a combination of Harlem Sambu and Ben Acquaye. Ben Shepherd picked up the batton on the corner of the area and hit a volley on the turn that dipped and swerved, seemingly through Constable for one all. Bush was put through by Ty Deacon, but was thwarted by the onrushing keeper. Tony Mendy hit the post at the other end as he battled well to get the ball out of the corner. Before the break came Rovers’ best chance of the game, as Deacon again found Bush. The forward beat Constable to the ball, but his contact on the shot was a half ounce too light as Vassell was able to scramble back and clear from the goal line.

The second half began with a strong intent from Rovers, as Deacon and Heneghan forced Constable into action early on. Louis Stead forced a stunning save from Martin Conway as his free kick was heading in to the top corner, only to be denied by the flying figure of Conway at full stretch. Just after the hour mark, Rovers had to be at their defensive best as Beaconsfield attempted to turn the screw, with shots flying in in quick succession, Kempston threw bodies in the way to keep the score level. The game then settled into a easier pace, but came back to life in the dying five minutes. A Rovers corner into the box created chaos and Constable dropped the ball on the goal line, he recovered the fumble and breathed a sigh of relief as the half hearted appeals that it had crossed the line hadn’t moved the officials. There was time for one final chance for the visitors as well, Brendan Matthew seized on a backpass and cut the ball back into the middle. Both sides were screaming for the foul, Rovers thought Mendy in the centre had handled, while Beaconsfield were convinced he was pushed. Not for the first time, the referee was not in the mood and did nothing.

The two sides will replay to a conclusion on Tuesday. For Kempston, it will be their ninth game in the month of October. Rovers return to league action next weekend with a home game against Dunstable Town ahead of a County Cup clash with Luton Town.