HSFL Challenge Cup - Kimpton Rovers 1 - 3 Cronies FC
Kimpton Rovers were squeezed out of this year’s challenge cup at the first hurdle after being drawn at home to Division Two table toppers Cronies. Despite the result looking convincing this was far from the full story as the home side, severely depleted from recent weeks put on the performance of their lives going into the break one goal apiece.
Rovers took a shock lead on nineteen minutes when a long Arran Jones drop kick found captain Alex Jode out on the left touchline. His first time control was sublime, he beat his defender and played it powerfully across the box where it was met by Tom Hills who smashed home from just inside the box. That lead was to last just fourteen minutes unfortunately. The visitors found themselves with numbers inside the box and the villagers failed to clear at the first and second attempt allowing a control and well placed finish from eight yards for 1-1. The home side could well have had their noses back in front before half time when more great work from Jode found Louis Tyrer on the edge of the six yard box but he shot straight at the grateful keeper. Shortly after Jode himself found himself on the end of a superb cross from the left only to see his header go over the bar.
In recent weeks Kimpton have failed to carry on from where they left off in the first half, that however, couldn’t have been further from the truth on this occasion and they continued the phenomenal work rate matching their opponents pound for pound, ounce for ounce at both ends of the pitch but it was the Division Two side however, who were to double their lead. A free-kick wide on the left was hit deep and not cleared allowing for a tap-in from close range. This could easily have seen Rovers buckle but in fact it gave them a lift and they went all out in search of an equaliser. The large crowd watching thought they had achieved just that when on 74 minutes, substitute Justin Zwirner beat his man down the left channel and crossed brilliantly for Lewis Rutter to tap home, unfortunately he mistimed his shot and the ball ran out to safety. Undeterred they pressed again and again, skipper Jode seeing another powerful header go over the bar but with just a few minutes left on the clock Cronies increased their lead further when a long throw was flicked on and hooked in from close range, completing the scoreline and progression to the next round for the visitors but leaving Kimpton with a whole heap of positives to carry into their next few games.
The Meyer Office Solutions Player of the match unsurprisingly was the Rovers captain, Alex Jode.
