FA VASE FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND

Eynesbury Rovers 3-4 Desborough Town

THERE was high drama at the Albert Hall Memorial Ground on Saturday when, despite being 3-1 with just five minutes remaining, a young Eynesbury Rovers side almost force extra time in this FA Vase first qualifier.

Following the departure of Matt Plumb last week, Paul Dodson was forced to make a number of changes in his first match in sole charge with, several key players unavailable.

With their United Counties Premier Division opponents Desborough Town seemingly crusing to victory with the clock on 85 minutes, it was Ben Coles who sparked Eynesbury’s revival when he made it 3-2.

And then it was 3-3: just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute, 17-year-old Joe Kokotka scored his first senior goal as he headed home Cole’s cross in the 88th minute.

But, with extra time looming, Eynesbury’s bubble was finally burst when, just a minute later, Kevin Byrne headed the ball home from a Desborough free kick to send the visitors through to the next round.

Desborough had opened the scoring in the seventh minute as Jordan Middleton raced onto a through ball to score past Carl Mackney..

The visitor’s were restricted to long-range shots after that and failed to trouble the hosts. And Rover’s equaliser came in the 23rd minute when goalkeeper Mackney’s clearance found Lee Bassett, who beat the keeper with a low strike.

Two minutes later teenager Ashley Boness saw his close-range shot by the Desborough goalkeeper whilst Tom Coles shot low and wide from 18 yards.

After the break Jeremy McMurrough came close as his curling shot just cleared the goal whilst Bassett hit a post.

Desborough regained the lead in the 59th minute after Mackney had picked up a Ryan Inskip back pass. A free kick was awarded seven yards from goal and Daniel Rogers played the ball short for Jamie Gilsenan to blast into the roof of the net.

Just three minutes later a penalty was awarded, rather harshly perhaps, against Toby Williams when a Desborough cross struck his arm from close range. Kevin Byrne scored from the spot to set up the dramatic ending.