Deeping Rangers v Eynesbury Rovers (UCL KO Cup First Round) on October 8, report by Graham Mills.

Eynesbury Rovers progressed to the second round of the League Cup with a 4-2 win over Premier Division North side Deeping Rangers on a very wet evening in Lincolnshire.

The hosts have been struggling this season and are at the foot of their division but enjoyed some good passages of play and created opportunities but took only two.

Both sides had chances before the visitors took a 30th minute lead. Following a Michael King corner two shots were blocked before Dan Hammer netted the loose ball. Unfortunately for Deeping one of those blocks came from the head of Liam Hook who had to be replaced with Will Barnes before the game could resume.

Twelve minutes into the second half Eynesbury doubled their advantage. Victor Osobu was sent down the left flank and he played the ball inside for Leon Fulianty inside the penalty area and after wrong footing the defender his low shot found the corner of the goal, his first for the club.

However, just four minutes later Rangers pulled a goal back. A free kick deep on the right was taken by Joe Cole and his ball into the box eluded everyone and ended in the back of the net. Rovers responded and restored their two goal lead in the 69th minute with a cracking shot by Ryan Lewis out on the right flank that went into the far top corner of the goal beyond the outstretched reach of Ignas Sakalas.

But the hosts never gave up and they got back into the game when they were awarded a penalty when Oliver Brookes was adjudged to have fouled Matt Sparrow after he had got his shot away. Josh Moreman, who had replaced Callum Davies seven minutes earlier, netted from 12 yards in the 74th minute.

However, Rovers also had a substitute that made an impact when, in the 83rd minute, just two minutes after replacing Axel Owusu, Nathan Mullings fired home to make it 4-2 after Osobu had set him up.

Next up for Rovers is the first of three home matches in a week when they host Bugbrooke St Michaels on Saturday, October 12, in a league fixture. Kick-off is at 3pm.