For the second home game in a row, some contentious refereeing/assistant decisions cost Rovers dear. A bumper crowd of 381 turned out for a tie where near neighbours and Southern Premier League level Hitchin Town were perhaps favourites and expected to easily overcome lower league Rovers, the officials became the main talking point post-match for the home support. Hitchin were first to show in the 6th minute but Lewis Ferrell’s free-kick from the edge of the Rovers box sailed harmlessly over. Nathan Tshikuna got Rovers into attacking action when, from a feed by Victor Osobu, his curling effort went narrowly over. Rovers’ Dean Dummett found himself in some space on 15 minutes but his flicked
Newcomers to the league Daventry Town were the visitors to Sharpenhoe Road on Saturday with Rovers looking to sustain a solid start to their league campaign. Early doors it was the home side on the front foot attack-wise with Nathan Tshikuna having a shot at goal which ballooned over in the first minute. With 5 minutes gone Rovers took the lead when, from a free-kick conceded by the visitors on Tony Williams Jr, Tshikuna stepped up and fired a magnificent effort in off the upright with Daventry keeper Justin Cerga rooted to the spot. Daventry hit back quickly and Kyle Forster in the Rovers goal had to look lively to smother a dangerous low cross from Daventry left-winger Taylor Orosz who ga
Following an early season fixture list involving both sides in a regime of 3 matches per week it was perhaps understandable that both Managers took decisions to play squad players who, up until this point in the season, had only limited on-field action. Clearly, the volume of changes on both sides led to a lack of fluidity in play from both teams throughout the first half. However, the away side showed some early intent forcing a corner that came to nought within a minute of kick-off. AFC’s Taylor Rhiney was quickly in the action with a shot into the side net after just 3 minutes. Rhiney’s compatriot Kyle Ajayi was well forward and got on the end of a free kick to head very narrowly wide in
Having overcome Cambridge City to advance to the 1st Qualifying Round of the 2019/20 Emirates FA Cup Rovers welcomed Romford FC to Sharpenhoe Road for this tie. Rovers were much changed following their resounding midweek victory at Kempston with Lewis Thomas, Lucas Didik, Ibby Lukulay and Connor Vincent all starting the match. Immediately, Rovers were on the front foot and Victor Osubu got in behind the Romford defence but shot weakly at keeper Harry Aldridge who saved comfortably within the first minute. Romford’s Malaki Toussaint threatened after 8 minutes but his attempt at goal ballooned high over the bar. Just a minute later Osubu just failed to put Rovers ahead with a shot that hit the
Barton Rovers made the short trip up the A6 for this local derby and ‘Battle of the Rovers’. Dan Olineran slotted in at left back for Gary Jones and Dylan Gittens started up front for this midweek league encounter. From the start, Barton looked solid at the back, combative in midfield and carried a threat going forward and, after an early spell of cat and mouse, midfielder Dean Dummett continued his good scoring form when he fired home a sweet left-footed shot from the edge of the box in the 8th minute to give Barton an early lead. Dummett was in the action again after 18 minutes with a shot that crept wide of the post. Kempston’s Goodman shot wide and a Brennan shot was saved by Kyle Forst
