Crows On The Road
NEXT UP: 'The Rovers' of Eynesbury Rovers FC
Eynesbury Rovers FC v Royston Town FC
Hinchingbrooke Cup 2nd Round
Tuesday 9th April 2013
The Alfred Hall Memorial Ground, Eynesbury, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 2SF
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So we try again to face the Rovers of Eynesbury from the United Counties League, following the postponement last month. Where is Eynesbury I hear you all cry? Well it is a suburb of St Neots, but a lovely suburb.
Eynesbury takes it name from the Anglo-Saxon version of Ernulfs Burgh. Sounds like little hob goblins and fairies will be popping out all night! During the late 70’s and early 80’s the area had the reputation of being a bit rough. All change now though, it is one of the affluent places in Cambridgeshire.
Famous people of the area include Olympic swimmer Mark Foster and actress Rula Lenska. On a musical note, Rob Harris of Jamiroquai lives here.
HISTORY
Initially formed in those heady days of 1897, the club spent their first few years knocking around the local leagues.
In 1914, just before the outbreak of war the Hunts Senior Cup was secured with a win over Huntingdon Town. Further silverware followed in the guise of the Hunts Junior Cup in 1921, 1927 and 1932. Now that’s a quiz question for the Green Man quiz next weds!
During the late 1920’s and early 1930’s the club were champions 3 times of the Bedford & District league. In 1934 the club applied to join the South Midlands League and were promoted to Division One at the end of that season.
After World War II, “Rovers” transferred to the Eastern Counties League. They had the distinction of being the most westerly club in the league. What that means, I have no idea? Perhaps it is to do with sea breezes, etc. Will have to ask on Tuesday night (If on! Snow, snow go away come again another December 25th 2013!).
The Hunts Senior Cup (had to be a little careful with my typing, thank god for spell check as that would have been a little embarrassing!) was captured again in 1955 and 1957 but financial problems blighted the club and they reverted to amateur status.
1961 saw the club failing to win a game all season (reminds you of poor old Woodford United) and they finished bottom with just 3 points gained. A bottom finish beckoned again in 1962 although the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup was captured.
The club then decided to try their luck in the United Counties League, but again this saw season after season of struggle. You had to be hard core to have supported the Rovers in that era!
1972 saw the club finish bottom…again and relegation to Division One. Things started to improve for Eynesbury with the title won in 1977 and promotion back to the Premier League.
The Hunts Senior Cup was again won in 1985, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996 and 2000 so a bit like our grip on the South Midlands Floodlight Cup then!
They had their most successful run in the FA Vase in 1995, reaching the 3rd round proper after dispatching the likes of Holbeach, Hemel Hempstead Town, Spalding United before bowing out to Halstead Town in a close fought 3-2 defeat.
In 2000/1 they finished bottom of the Premier Division and were relegated to Division One where they have remained since. The following season they won their fifteenth Senior Cup.
Their Season So Far
Currently lying in 2nd place in United Counties League Division One (one point off top spot) on 73 points with 23 wins, 4 draws and 3 defeats so far. Tuesday night will present a stern test for our young Crows. They are also the deadliest in the league with 83 goals and have only been breached 26 times.
Current form shows that they have not been beaten in any competition since the 5th of January 2013. On Saturday they recorded a 3-1 victory over Northampton Sileby Rangers, to extend their unbeaten run to sixteen matches.
Ones To Watch
As mentioned earlier, they are pretty deadly in front of goal and leading the charge is Bertie Bassett with 28 league goals so far this season. Sorry, I got that wrong, it is Lee Bassett. A signing from St Neots in 2010, he has had “That lot up the A1(M) who cannot be mentioned” United keeping an eye on him. At just 24 he still has a bright future further up the pyramid.
Also weighing in with goals is Jack Weedon. Excellent from the set piece and with bags of experience in the local leagues. Young Jack has 19 goals to his name so far this season.
At the back we will come up against hard but fair tackling James Duckett. A rock steady influence in the back line and highly regarded at the football club. James signed from St Neots in 2011 and has been pretty much an ever-present since!
The Men In Charge
The Two “M’s” have been in charge of Eynesbury Rovers since the start of the year and they are Martin Field and Matt Plumb. Martin looks just like John Still and could easily be his twin brother. Watch out Luton Town! However they are building a strong and successful side on the pitch and will be definitely up to grabbing this fantastic looking cup!
Have We Met Before
Several times in local cup competitions, but in a competitive match we played the Rovers in an FA Vase match in 1987. The Crows were soundly beaten 3-1.
Match Day Information
From the A1 take the A428 Cambridge Road. Turn left at the Tesco roundabout and continue on Barford Road for half a mile going straight on at three roundabouts.
Turn left into Hardwick Road and left again into Hall Road. The ground is situated at the end of this road.
Jez Izod
