Robbie proves too Good for Berko

Kempston Rovers recorded a third straight win and clean sheet as Robbie Goodman scored twice and Ben Shepherd added a third in stoppage time to seal the win.

Some enforced changes saw a shuffle round at the back for Kempston, the returning Alex Collard partnered Alfie Powell in the middle of defence while Seb Simpson moved to left back. Up front, Ty Deacon was rewarded with a start after his last performance.

Rovers hit the front after just five minutes, Ben Shepherd swung a corner in from the left hand side, which was met on the full by Robbie Goodman, arriving at the right time to side foot the ball home from six yards. The lead was nearly doubled minutes later, Shane Bush cutting back to Ben Acquaye, who dragged his shot across goal. Shepherd put a dangerous free kick into the box for Bush, who couldn’t connect, allowing the defender to flick it just over his own bar for a corner. The danger was not done, however, as Berkhamsted failed to clear the corner. The ball fell to Bush on the edge of the box, his shot was diverted in by the handily placed Goodman for his second goal of the afternoon. Ty Deacon had a late effort in the half blocked after a brilliant cross from Seb Simpson. For all Berkhamsted’s industry in the middle of the park, they did not test Martin Conway in the first half, two nil at the break.

At the start of the second period, Berkhamsted had a glorious chance to get themselves back into the game. Half time sub Kyle Anthony tried to curl a shot in to the far corner, taking a slight deflection off the boot of a Kempston defender, forcing Conway into his first save of the day. Just on the hour mark, Deacon was denied again by some manful defending. He had managed to burst clear and bore down on goal, only to be thwarted by a spectacular challenge from Manny Folarin for the visitors. Rovers thought they had extended their lead when Deacon threaded through to Bush, who slipped the ball under the advancing keeper to find the net, only to see the assistant raise his flag for offside. Deacon hit the post moments later after being fed by Bush. As Rovers turned the screw, Bush had another chance, latching on to a poor clearance by Berkhamsted keeper Weatherill, his shot went just wide of the open goal. Jack Stevens had a curling shot well held by Conway in Berkhamsted’s only other shot on target during the game. Sub Ekene Amadi had a late chance after being put through by Nathan Tshikuna, but couldn’t find the finish. In the third minute of six added on, Tshikuna powered forward, riding challenges as he went. He couldn’t get the right angle to get a shot away, but instead pushed the ball off perfectly for Ben Shepherd to place into the far bottom corner. There was a late chance for Bateman for the visitors but he couldn’t find the target.

The win lifts Rovers into tenth place in the early table ahead of next weekend’s FA Cup tie away at Chalfont. Match sponsors Exact Scaffolding selected two goal Robbie Goodman as their man of the match.

Next up at Hillgrounds, Thursday 6th September sees the Under 18s face Corby Town in the FA Youth Cup, with entry at just £2. Tuesday 11th – pending cup replays – Rovers will host AFC Dunstable in the Southern League Cup and then on Saturday 15th, it’s El Kempstico, as Kempston welcome neighbours Bedford Town for what should be a great game.