Harlem shakes things up

Kempston Rovers reached the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1980 with a single goal victory over Marlow.

Rovers restored several players to the starting line up after changes were made in midweek for the league cup victory over AFC Dunstable, notably Martin Conway in goal and captain Shane Bush. Jermaine Hall, recently signed after becoming frustrated at the lack of game time at Bedford Town, was named on the bench.

On a dreary damp afternoon, Rovers were quickest out of the blocks, Luke Heneghan forcing Grant in the Marlow goal to scramble the ball away for a corner early on. Marlow then had an effort of their own, as Sackey forced Conway to tip over after a long range shot. The game then became a trench battle in the midfield, until Rovers found the key to unlock the door before the half hour. Shane Bush flicked on a long ball into the path of Josh Crawley, his shot on the angle was only parried back into the middle where Harlem Sambu was gratefully waiting to tap home his first of the season. Heneghan could’ve extended the lead six minutes later with a snap shot that went wide at the near post. Bossman had two great chances for Marlow in a matter of seconds, firstly seeing a curling shot deflected for a corner, then sidefooting over the bar after a great cross. Onokwai then poked wide of the near post as Marlow desperately searched for a leveller before the break.

The second half began with two great chances for Rovers, Sambu found Bush with a hooked cross. The forward saw his goalbound shot deflected just wide. Then Luke Heneghan put a delicious cross into the area, begging for the touch that would have surely seen a goal, but the ball evaded everyone. Heneghan had a free kick with twenty minutes left, from a very long way out, which tested Grant in the Marlow goal. Sackey had a free kick tipped over by Conway as the game wore down before the same player had a daisy-cutting shot go wide for a corner. in stoppage time, two Rovers substitutes combined as Jermaine Hall fed Ty Deacon, whose shot was charged down and deflected up but was caught by Grant.

The final whistle sparked loud celebrations on the pitch and the terraces as Rovers progress to the third qualifying round of the cup for the first time since 1980, when they were knocked out by Isthmian Premier side Hayes. The draw for the next round is made on Monday at around one o clock. The draw is semi-regional at this stage, although it is unclear at this stage if Rovers will be placed in the north or south section of the competition.

Next up for Kempston is another cup match and another local derby as they make the short hop down the A6 to Barton Rovers in the FA Trophy preliminary round next Saturday. The next home game is currently scheduled for Tuesday October second, AFC Rushden & Diamonds are set to visit in the next round of the league cup, however this is subject to any FA Trophy replay against Barton.

Match sponsors Furzton Express Tanning selected Alfie Powell as their man of the match against Marlow.