Leighton Town 3 - Kempston Rovers 1

Under the blazing late summer sun - Leighton scorched into the ascendency as Rory Busby tested the waters with his 16-minute shot trailing wide. Soon after, Alfie Powell headed over two minutes later as Leighton looked to come good on early pressure.

After a well-earned drinks break, Leighton continued pushing on – on the half hour Jack Quigley saw his powerful shot saved easily. It was admittedly, a bit hit and miss from Leighton, but the visitors made sure the half ended with a punch of drama when Rovers’ no.11 was given his marching orders after striking out at Town’s Seb Simpson on 44’.

Kempston wouldn’t even survive the half after this, as Gary Finn’s side took the lead through Quigley. Bettering his earlier effort, he found the bottom right calmly to push the hosts ahead.

In the second half, goals took little time to arrive as Leighton doubled their lead on 60’. Recoe Martin was lively down the left and picked out Rory Busby. He slotted home to provide a comfortable looking lead. However, just five minutes later, Kempston dragged one back – capitalising on some perhaps-complacent defending.

Despite this, Town put it beyond doubt with five minutes to spare – as Alfie Powell connected sweetly with a corner from the left. Town surge on to the second round of qualifying.

Report by Max Bradfield