AFC Kempston Rovers 1 Tudors 3
Match notes by Allan Mitchell
Hemel continue to improve with an excellent performance against Kempston Rovers.
The first 45 minutes was played in a torrential downpour as thunder and lightning crashed all around the ground.
Matt Bateman opened his account for the season on 20 minutes, tucking away a penalty that was given just before he had rounded the keeper to score after getting fouled, the referee unable to allow the goal as he had already blown his whistle.
Dominic Morgan-Griffiths added a second minutes later when he superbly volleyed home a cross from the left as the rain continued to pour down.
In the second half, Alfie Cerulli came on and tormented Rovers' backline; after some excellent skill on the edge of the box, he let fly, and the ball just fizzed past the post. He then hit the crossbar with a header at the back post before Josh Castiglione made it three with a well-timed header.
It seemed a case of 'how many' as the Tudors piled forward, and the game was now being played in the sunshine after the deluge.
Only the woodwork and some excellent goalkeeping kept them at bay, and manager Lee Bircham will be slightly disappointed when Rovers scored a late consolation as Hemel eased up on the pressure.
All in all, an excellent performance and the Tudor Army were in good voice and showed their appreciation at the end of the game.