Rovers down Waders to lift Beds Senior Cup

Rovers were without the cup-tied Russell Bull and suspended Peter Gatti for the game, but made a sprightly start against their Southern Premier Division opponents.

They were ahead after only four minutes as Tuki Tayali raced through the Waders back four and slotted past Ian Brown.

Paul Andrews could have doubled Barton’s lead 10 minutes later as his shot beat Brown, only to hit the woodwork.

Kev Kilroy then made a last-ditch challenge to deny Jordan Davis, while another Biggleswade attempt skimmed the bar.

However, Rovers then had a second when Connor Vincent’s effort cannoned against the post and went in.

Kyle Forster made a fine double save to keep Waders off the scoresheet, while Ben Sawyer’s 30-yard drive was repelled by Brown.

In the second period, Biggleswade made a flying start as Kelvin Bossman drew a reflex save from Forster, who then blocked from Mark Coulson with this legs.

Rovers stayed solid though and all but killed the game off with 12 minutes left as Sawyer unleashed a long range drive into the top corner.

Biggleswade’s dismal evening was topped off in injury time when Tom Peverall found Rhys Hoenes unmarked in the box to volley home and up the score to the biggest Senior cup defeat since 1998.

After the final whistle, Paul Andrews accepted the cup from the Bedfordshire FA dignitaries for Barton’s eighth win in the competitions 116 year history.

The only disappointment was that retiring joint manager Richard Wilmot missed the re-arranged game as he was on holiday, with chairman Darren Whiley said: “After being such a loyal servant to the club and non league football for over 25 years we came here with one aim only and that was to lift the cup for him.

“That we did in style with flair and passion. All the squad this season have been awesome and this is a great way to end a history making campaign.”