After recent cup exploits it was back to league action for Spartak against a Kempston side languishing near the bottom of the table, but who also have some very talented players. The match kicked off in light rain, but playing on the 3G at Cedars at least meant the match could be played.

There was early pressure from Spartak with all the action in the attacking half. However after 4 minutes it was Kempston who had the first shot, an effort from the right from 14 yards easily saved by Thomas.

Two minute later Galaxy took a long corner which Jack J connected with, bit it somehow rebounded out for another corner which Kempston dealt with in the end.

The match was ebbing and flowing by this point and there was a penetrating attack from Kempston as they attacked down the right and fed the ball into the middle, where a perfectly lobbed shot took it over Thomas and into the goal. If Spartak thought this was going to be easier than recent matches, they were rudely awoken.

Galaxy had a quick chance to equalise thanks to a lovely long ball from Matthew. Jack R ran through, gathered the ball well but unfortunately sliced his shot. A few seconds later Theo scored from a rebound off the post, but it was ruled offside.

The pressure on the Kempston defense was building and on the 16-minute mark Linslade achieved parity in the scoreline. After some good work down the right the cross came in and somehow went all the way to Matthew who made no mistake from 6 yards.

Then, just a minute later, Dylan, who was regularly marauding forward, had an effort from just outside the box, which looked like it was curling it but a faint touch saw it hit the post.

The remainder of the first half then turned into a midfield battle with Theo's driven shot from 18 yards just wide on the 29th minute the only goalmouth action of note.

Spartak had the majority of the possession and shots and played some good football at times, but Kempston had the pace to look dangerous on the break. Overall, a draw was a fair score line at this point and both teams were no doubt thinking of the three points.

It was Kempton who started the second half faster and after only three minutes their striker had a great opportunity to shoot from 10 yards but took too long. Then 2 minutes later they did get a shot on target which Thomas got down well to.

The away side were to immediately rue those missed chances as on the 7th minute Elliot delivered a cross into the box from the left and Charlie headed in to give Spartak a 2-1 lead.

Spartak were by far the better team in the second half and there were a number of lovely moves which put Kempston under considerable pressure.

16 minutes: some good play from Galaxy and Theo had a sharp effort from the edge of the box. He connected well but it went straight to the keeper.

19 minutes: fast counter attack from Linslade after Kempston pressure from 2 corners. Some quick neat passing saw Ethan through on goal. His shot was saved by the keeper and he shot the rebound over.

23 minutes: intricate passing from Charlie and Blake and the cross flashed across the 6 yard box.

26 minutes: more attacking and Jack R's shot was flicked over for a corner. This led to a goalmouth scramble and then a drive from Charlie which the Kempston keeper did fantastically to keep out.

33 minutes: Blake's fine effort was saved by keeper's knees. Charlie then fired wide.

39 minutes: Charlie laid on Owen who shot over.

However, that second goal wouldn't come and whilst Kempston were far less threatening in the second half the match was never safe. Indeed in the last action of the match the Kempston midfielder really got hold of a long range effort which zipped just wide.

Overall. this was a deserved win for Spartak, which puts them in third place in the table. They played some great football but made life harder for themselves by not creating that final ball or by shooting over when half chances were created. Full credit also to the Kempston keeper for a worldie save to stop Charlie from scoring a second.

Weather permitting the return fixture is in just two weeks' time and I'm sure everyone will be eagerly awaiting the second instalment of this double header!