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) WLWWWW
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 Grab yourself a drink or a snack before you make the journey home.
On this day in Rovers history… Kempston won their last game on this date, in 2010, away at Northampton Sileby Rangers by four goals to one.
The first recorded match on this date in Rovers history was in 1909 and was a 3-0 friendly win over an “All Star” team from the Bedford and District League after Rovers had won a treble of League, County cup and Charity cup that season

Hartley Wintney arrive in Bedfordshire sitting in the play off places, but still with a realistic chance of automatic promotion this season. 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.

Kempston are on a run of nine games unbeaten as the club look to finish the season strongly. Robbie Goodman reached the milestone of 150 games for the club recently and remains the only player to have featured in every single game this season.

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.