UCL Knock Out Cup exit to league leaders

Before the kick off a minutes’ silence was held in memory of Club President David Crisp who had passed away earlier in the week.

Saturday 29th August 2026 - Reporter Graham Mills

UCL KO Cup Preliminary Round

Eynesbury Rover 2 Belper United 3

Belper United, making their first ever visit to Eynesbury, head the UCL Premier Division North and on this showing it is easy to see why. They had the better of the opening exchanges as Kyle Bryant headed over from a corner and James Hoskins was quickly off his line to save a shot from Sele Nassor with his feet. After Tyrell Francis fired a shot across the face of goal the visitors took a 21 st minute lead when Brandon Ferron’s shot from the edge of the box curled into the top right hand corner. However, just two minutes later Rovers were level when Luke Young poked home his fourth goal of the season at the back post following a corner kick by Jordan Nicholson. Within a minute Belper could have regained the lead but Nassor put the ball over from six yards.

Eynesbury also came close to going in front when Lewis Lynn’s shot was parried by the keeper only to fall to Young but again Josh Shattell pushed the ball out. This time it fell to Jordan Brown but he shot wide. Just before the break Hoskins tipped behind a Surf Tefera effort as the sides went in level at the break.

After weeks of no rain the heavens opened in the second half and the floodlights had to be switched on amid the increasing gloom! Just before the hour mark the visitors went ahead with a spectacular overhead kick by Fraser Corden. However, the clinching factor for Belper came after Reece King was sent off for pulling back Keaton August and was deemed to have denied a goal scoring opportunity although Rovers will argue that there were covering defenders. From the 77th minute free kick August fired home Belper’s third.

There was still time for ten-man Rovers to score and they pulled a goal back in the first minute of stoppage time when teenager Oskar Ciach came off the bench to net his first goal of the season from close range in the 91st minute.

Next up for Rovers is a trip to Sileby Rangers for a league fixture on Wednesday 2nd September, kick off 7.45pm.