First team match report of the United Counties League KO Cup Second Round game featuring Eynesbury Rovers and Kimberley MW. 

Final score: Kimberley MW 0 Eynesbury Rovers 0 (Eynesbury won 4-2 on penalties)

After making progress in the Hunts Senior Cup on Tuesday evening Rovers made it cup success number two as they defeated UCL Premier Division North bottom club Kimberley Miners Welfare 4-2 on penalties after a goal-less 90 minutes.

Eynesbury were first up for the penalty shoot-out and Leon Fulianty put Rovers ahead. Oliver Seeby stepped up for the hosts but fired his spot kick over the bar.

Reece King, Jordan Stevenson and Victor Osobu were successful for Rovers whilst Declan Brown and Louis Kinnerley found the net for Kimberley. Goalkeeper Ben Allsop had to score for Kimberley to keep them in the tie but his effort was saved by Sam Roach as Rovers recorded their sixth consecutive penalty shoot-out victory.

As for the game, there were few chances in the 90 minutes as Rovers adapted to the slopping pitch and uneven surface. The hosts’ sole effort in the first half came when new-signing Matt Moffatt shot straight at Sam Roach from 18 yards. Attacks by Kimberley MW were frequently halted as their forwards were flagged offside.

Eynesbury thought they had taken the lead on the stroke of half time when a long ball forward by Richard Chadwick was picked up by Jordan Stevenson. He fired the ball into the net only to be flagged offside.

After the break Nathan Mullings made a good run down the left flank and cut inside only for his shot to canon off a Rovers player and go behind for a goal kick. Moffatt had another chance after dispossessing Josh Howard-Dobson but he only found the side netting with his effort.

Goalkeeper Allsop then denied Stevenson, making a superb save as the striker’s shot was heading into the top corner.

He later denied Victor Osobu with a close range save as Rovers’ striker could have finished the game off before it went to penalty kicks and ultimately another Eynesbury success.

The cup football continues on Tuesday, November 5 when Rovers hosts Parsons Drove in the Hinchingbrooke Cup, kick-off 7.45pm.