First Team Match Report United Counties League KO Cup First Round featuring Eynesbury Rovers against Sleaford Town, report by Graham Mills.

Final Score: 2-2 (Eynesbury won 4-2 on penalties)

Eynesbury Rovers progressed to the next stage of the UCL KO Cup with a 4-2 penalty success over Premier Division North side Sleaford Town after the sides were level after 90 minutes.

Perfect spot kicks by Leon Fulianty, Victor Osobu, Michael King and Fraelias Mienambolo sent Rovers on their way whilst Rovers keeper, Reece Lewis (recalled to the starting XI after a spell out injured), denied Liam Flitton (Sleaford’s shot stopper) and Finlay Armond blasted his penalty over the crossbar.

Eynesbury enjoyed the best of the opening stages and could have led inside two minutes when Nathan Mullings was denied by the feet of Liam Flitton. Victor Osobu set up Dan Hammer with a low cross into the box but Dan Hammer shot over the bar. Rovers took an eleventh minute lead when Osobu left Max Ward trailing in his wake, crossing for Jordan Stevenson to tap home his first goal for the club at close range.

Those two men combined again five minutes later, but Stevenson couldn’t connect with Osobu’s cross.

Sleaford equalised in the 25th minute with their first goal attempt. Billy Gillies put Josh Parker through on goal and he slotted the ball past Reece Lewis.

Liam Flitton denied Nathan Mullings and Victor Osobu with good saves before Billy Gillies tried to catch keeper Lewis out after he’d strayed out of his area, but the Eynesbury keeper recovered quickly to catch the ball. Just before the break Mitchell Clogg headed a Parker cross into the hands of Lewis.

Two minutes into the second half Rovers regained the when Jonny Hall crossed into the path of Osobu who turned well to set up Dan Hammer at the back post to fire his shot into the roof of the net, his first Eynesbury goal. However, four minutes later Sleaford drew level when a through ball by Gillies picked out Parker and he made no mistake to claim his second goal of the game.

Lewis saved a long range Mitchell Clogg free kick whilst at the other end Osobu hit the post before seeing his follow up effort saved by Flitton. Ten minutes later Flitton held a header from Richard Chadwick’s header and in stoppage time Lewis denied Finlay Armond.

Next up for Rovers is a home league fixture when table-toppers Rugby Borough visit Hall Road on Saturday, September 14, kick-off is 3pm.