Rovers continue drinking at the second chance saloon

By rights, Kempston should not have been playing this fixture, having lost at Royston in the previous round. Royston were expelled from the competition after it came to light that they had fielded an ineligible player in the game. With Rovers reinstated, the destination was Biggleswade Town for a third round tie.

Early on, the hosts had a tame effort that allowed Martin Conway to warm his gloves, before a very cleverly worked free kick on the edge of the Rovers box was played into the channel by Hill when everyone was looking to him to shoot. Burnett read the clever play and accepted the pass, putting it across the box. Thankfully, Rovers cleared the danger. Around the half hour mark, Kempston began to carve out their own chances. Ben Shepherd, Luke Heneghan and Nathan Tshikuna all had efforts saved by Donkin in the home goal. Jake Newman then saw a header go over the bar. The half ended without score. The game had been fairly even, Rovers perhaps shading it on chances created, Waders on possession.

Less that five minutes in to the second half, Kempston were dealt a blow. Captain Seb Simpson had to be withdrawn. The player left the field clutching an ice-pack to his head after a knock. Hateley Mercer replaced him. Just before the hour, Nathan Tshikuna took possession in the middle of the park and decided to run at the Waders defence. He beat three men on his surge into the box, where the angle was against him for the shot. He pulled the ball back to George Boland, who couldn’t keep his effort down off his weaker foot. Robbie Goodman saw an effort go over after an Ieuan Riley knock down. It was in the seventieth minute that the deadlock was broken. The ball fell to Luke Heneghan outside the box. The midfielder sized up the chance and hit a rocket into the top corner, although Donkin got a hand to it he couldn’t prevent the ball flying in to his net. Less that two minutes later, Jake Newman was played onside and went through on the keeper, who beat Newman to the ball but missed his kick. Newman was able to recover the ball and shot from a much tighter angle than the original chance, hitting the side netting. Biggleswade pressed for a leveller, but rarely seriously threatened. The closest that they came was with seven minutes to go, a corner was headed wide by Gavin Hoyte. On the cusp of stoppage time, George Boland surged forward from right full back in to the area, where he was tripped when he was just about to pull the trigger. The referee pointed to the spot, Ben Shepherd dispatched the spot kick high to the keepers right for two nil. With that, the home support began to file out. Rovers saw the game out to advance to the quarter finals.

The quarter final is scheduled for the week commencing 29th January. Details of the fixture will be released after the draw has been made.

Friday night sees the latest of the ever-popular Supporters Club Quiz Nights at the club. 7pm for a 7:30 start, all are welcome. £20 a team up to maximum of six players.

On Saturday, Rovers host Uxbridge in the league for a 3pm kick off.