Wallnut Boys Crack Top Of The Table Clash - AFC Kempston Rovers vs. Leicester Nirvana

Action on the wing at Hillgrounds Road

I had my eyes on a couple of games in The Sussex County League last weekend but the now customary Saturday downpour destroyed those plans. It seemed that northwards was the direction to travel for a game and I set the controls for Bedford for the United Counties, top of the table showdown between AFC Kempston Roves and Leicester Nirvana. There was just a single point separating the sides at kick off although Kempston hadn't lost all season and had a game in hand on Leicester. Both sides have applied for promotion this season and with the only side applying - Kirby Muxloe - well back, it looked like a straight fight between these two sides in the promotion stakes. The reverse fixture in the opening month of the season had seen a 2-2 draw and so I was hoping for goals.

The players await kick off at Hillgrounds Road

Kempston go on the attack from the off and a deep cross is put back into the box before the ball is cleared from danger. Kempston however attack again and take an early lead. A great dummy from the attacker allows the ball to find his team mate in space and he slots the ball past the advancing keeper. They come close to doubling their lead when the Kempston player gets in a good head from a corner which goes just wide of the post. A couple of times midway through the half, Leicester find themselves in some decent attacking positions but they lack the final ball. Their first clear cut chance of the game comes as a result of a neat dinked through ball and the Kempston keeper has to be quick off his line to make a good save and his defenders are able to block the shot from the rebound. Towards the end of the first period, the Kempston player is played in from a throw but the angle is against him and he lashes the ball into the side netting.

The Kempston header goes just wide

Leicester are given a half chance after the break when the Kempston keeper skies the ball without getting much distance on the kick but the eventual shot is straight at him. The visitors come closer when a free kick is just about cleared off the line. Then comes the games flash point. After a challenge on the half way line, a mass brawl involving most of the 22 players and some more from dugouts Kempston are reduced to ten men. As happens so many times, the numerical disadvantage doesn't deter Kempston. A move from one side of the field to the other finds the attacker on the far side of the area and he bends his shot past the keeper to make it two nil. Leicester now pile forward and a pull back from one of many mazy runs finds its target but the chance is skied. The Kempston keeper is tested with a low, hard shot the edge of the area and the hosts see out the rest of the game to win two nil.

The Leicester attacker drives at the Kempston defence

The nearest station to Hillgrounds Road is Bedford - trains here depart from St Pancras with the trip taking just over half an hour. It probably is possible to walk from the station (I reckon it'd take 30 mins or so) but I opted for the bus. The 53 bus stops right outside the ground and the more regular 1 bus stops just around the corner. This section of the trip takes about ten minutes. In Kempston I first stopped at The Duke which did the job and had the sports channels. A short walk away is The Smiths Arms which could be mistaken for someone's living room but is a great pub which also had the sports channels. The clubhouse at the ground looks fairly new and had a great selection of beers. It was also very welcoming and sold fantastic sausage and bacon rolls at half time.

Kempston attack in the first half