On The Home Front
Next up at Hillgrounds…
Opponent Hartley Wintney
Competition Southern League Division One East
Hartley Wintney’s Current League position 3/22
Last Time They Were Here… This is the first time that “The Row” have visited Kempston
Hartley Wintney’s Current League Form (six games) LLWDWW
Did you know… The earliest record of Hartley Wintney by name is from the 12th century, when Wintney Priory of Cistercian nuns was founded there. In the 13th century its toponym was variously recorded as Hercelega, Hurtlegh or Hertleye Wynteneye. This last version means "forest clearing where the deer graze by Winta's island". Winta was probably a Saxon who held the island in the marshes. The toponym was recorded as Hurtleye Winteney or Wytteneye in the 14th century and Herteley Witney in the 16th century.

The football team is slightly more modern and have won the Combined Counties League title for the past two seasons, before their promotion.
In the bar afterwards Watch Everton vs Manchester City on the big screens
On this day in Rovers history… A Darren King hat-trick helped Rovers to win a County Cup semi final on this date in 1992 against Arlesey Town by six goals to two. The game was played at Barton Rovers’ ground. Kempston would go on to lift the trophy later in the season after beating Totternhoe in the final by a single goal.

Hartley Wintney arrive in Bedfordshire sitting in the play off places, just off the automatic spots. Promotion from the Combined Counties League last summer seems to have been taken in their stride as they have recorded some impressive results along the way this campaign – notably beating league leaders AFC Rushden & Diamonds last weekend.

Kempston will be looking to continue their good form which sees them currently as one of the in-form teams in the division. Taking thirteen points from a possible eighteen.

In the reverse fixture, The Row snatched a win very late on. The winning goal being dramatically deflected in to the net in stoppage time.