Match Preview

Well, it all comes down to this. Kempston will be looking to win this game to retain their Step 4 status, whereas Eccleshill United travel down from West Yorkshire looking to gain promotion from Step 5. This match is one of six fixtures with fate being relied on which will shape the standings for the 2022/23 season.

Over the course of the 38 games this season, Rovers gained 29 points, scoring 50 goals and conceding 102. The points total meant Rovers were one of the 6 worst 18th placed sides on points per game, resulting in this fixture.

It has been a whirlwind last week for Rovers, following the news that Welwyn Garden City initially failed their ground grading and were going to be placed in 20th, moving Rovers up to 17th, however following a successful appeal from the Citizens, they were given an extension on this. This however was not the end, as Welwyn emphatically beat Kidlington 7-1 on the final day securing the final playoff spot, but further statements from the FA mentioned that the Hertfordshire club would not be able to compete in the playoffs due to their ground grading issues, meaning North Leigh will now travel to Berkhamsted.

Eccleshill make the long trip down the M1 having finished second in the Northern Counties East Football League nine points behind Grimsby Borough. Over their 38 fixtures they finished on 79 points, winning 24, drawing 7 and losing 7, scoring 90 and conceding 48. We wish all Eagles fans, players and officials a safe trip down to Hillgrounds. Our ground guide can be found here.

Eccleshill United are based just outside of Bradford and were accepted into the northern counties east league in 1985. Recently, they were promoted to the Premier division in 2018 via step 6 play offs. Their manager is Lee Elam, who should be familiar to followers of Conference football when it was on sky sports, having had spells with Burton, Yeovil, Morecombe and a number of others.

Rovers have only twice before competed in a play off game. Both times, they played against Biggleswade Town. In 1910, rovers lost 1-0 at the neutral venue of Langford and then in 1911, Kempston won 3-2 away at Biggleswade. On both occasions, the play off was due to both teams finishing level on points and goal difference for the Biggleswade and District League title.

Manager Scott Dash will be hoping to have a near enough full squad for this fixture. Massingham remains out for another couple of months, but all other players will be looking to start this fixture. Harvey Laws was forced off in the first half on Saturday as a precaution, however the full back will be looking to be pushing for a start. James Cooper also missed out last week following his knock at Aylesbury United, but it is hoped he will be able to return.

Admission for this fixture will be £9 for adults, £5 for seniors and students, £1 for children. Season tickets will not be valid. We hope to see a large number of you there supporting the Walnuts as we look to retain our Step 4 status. Our online match day programme can be found here https://https://www.kempstonrovers.org/a/matchday-programmes-202122-63046.html.