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Arlesey opened their season after a productive pre-season at home to AFC Kempston.
The game started with Kempston setting the early pace, trying to break down the Arlesey midfield and forge an attack.
The first chance of the game came from a counter attack from Arlesey with Joe Marshall shooting from distance, only to find the first defender.
Kempston presented a strong physical presence, with Arlesey's David Thomas feeling the brunt of it, losing possession to a strong challenge.
Arlesey were trying to thread through balls to the striker but could not penetrate into the penalty area for much of the 1st half.
As the half wore on, Kempston dominated possession, shooting from distance on occasions only to allow comfortable saves from Stuart Bunyan in goal.

The opener came as Kempston found themselves through on goal. Steve Greenwood got a foot in and passed the ball away fro the target, but Kempston players were up in support and a precision shot across the keeper found the far bottom corner.
Kempston continued to dominate, seeing a dipping shot from 20 yards tipped over by Bunyan. The resulting corner saw a free header off target. 2 more chances just before half time saw a free kick headed wide and another tip over from another shot from out the area.
Arlesey finished the half with their 1st shot on target, with Joe Marshall shooting from distance, trying to lob the keeper, who saved comfortably.

The 2nd half saw Arlesey up the tempo, with David Thomas being replaced by player/manager Keith Coughlin, adding some experience to the young Arlesey side. The impact was immediate.A free kick from the half way line put Coughlin through but the defender managed to head away from danger.
Charlie marshal attempted a long range effort, just over the bar.

Kempston had a chance to double their lead, when confusion in the Arlesey area saw an attempted chest back to the keeper wrong-foot Bunyan, the Kempston striker hit in hope and saw the ball cross right in front of goal, with nobody there for the tap in.

Wayne Smith replaced Joe Marshall.

The equaliser came when a ball down the left wing, saw Alex Coppin with space in front of him. A strong shot across goal went under the keeper for 1v1.

Fitness was starting to tell and giving Arlesey more time on the ball.
A late tackle from Coughlin saw the only yellow of the match.

With the game drawing to an end, Arlesey were well on top, and the winner came from a run down the right. The ball was switched to the left and Coppin saw a sweet strike from 25 yards bend into the top left corner.
With minutes remaining, Arlesey focused on retaining possession and playing time out.