Herts Sunday Junior Cup - Kimpton Rovers 0 - 1 Hemel Albion Reserves

Kimpton Rovers paid the ultimate price for a missed first half penalty as they were narrowly edged out of the County Cup by visiting side Hemel Albion Reserves, who took full advantage to claim a 1–0 win at the Recreation Ground.

The Second round tie was evenly balanced, with both teams looking competitive across the pitch. Rovers were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead midway through the first half when Drew Hunter was brought down inside the box after a challenge from an Albion defender. Tom Hills stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick, but his effort was saved by the visiting goalkeeper, keeping the scores level.

That miss proved costly, as Hemel Albion found the breakthrough shortly before half time. A through ball dissected the Rovers defence, and the Albion forward made no mistake, finishing neatly past the Rovers keeper to give the visitors the advantage at the break.

The second half continued in much the same vein: closely fought and full of intensity. Rovers grew into the game as the minutes ticked by and pressed higher up the pitch. The final twenty minutes saw the home side create a series half-chances testing the Albion defence, but despite their late pressure, an equaliser proved elusive.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Kimpton, who will feel they could have finished with more from a tight contest that could easily have gone the other way. The Meyer Office Solutions Player of the Match went to Ali Mouatassem.