Bedfordshire League: Caldecote win record ninth title

Caldecote beat their near neighbours Ickwell & Old Warden at Harvey Close 3-2 to collect a record breaking ninth top flight championship title.
Caldecote FCCaldecote FC
Caldecote FC

This surpassed the eight titles collected by Queens Athletic between season 1973-74 and 1983-84.

Ahead via a strike from Barry Dellar in the 22nd minute they then allowed Lee Threadgold to level matters just two minutes later before the game was won with goals a minute either side of the hour mark, Dellar heading them back in front before Jack Boyd shot home goal number three. Dean Hamilton reducing the arrears for the visitors just a minute from time.

Elsewhere in the Bedfordshire League Premier Division supported by Sportsform, Oakley Sports M&DH had to settle for the silver medals despite ending their season with a 2-1 home win over AFC Biggleswade.

It was the visitors via Jose Murray who took the lead until first Chris Thorman levelled matters before the break and then Shaun Barnett netted the second half winner.

For third place Renhold United, it was the taking of their unbeaten home ways to six games with a 7-1 win over a Wilshamstead side losing for the first time in 10 outings. Wilshamstead in fact via a goal from Colin Marshall were leading the contest 1-0 until a remarkable closing half an hour saw United slam home seven goals. Jason Allison and Jadon Thompson both netting twice alongside an own goal plus strikes from Scott Joseph and Gurdeep Kandola.

Also ending the season on a high were Shefford Town & Campton with a 6-2 home win over Sharnbrook. Adam Larsen shooting them ahead in the 20th minute only to see the visitors level two minutes later via Sean Duffy before Andrew Hayday restored Town’s lead in the 31st minute. Two minutes into the new half Sharnbrook were again back on level terms with a goal from Tom King. However, it was to be Town’s day via Hayday completing his hat-trick plus Sam Larsen joining his brother on the scoresheet before Michael Jones netted from the penalty spot right on the final whistle.

Elsewhere, Bedford Hatters ended their season with a fourth home win on the bounce with a 4-0 victory over Bedford Sports Athletic. Darren Allen, Aaran Izzard, Simon Pixley and Richard Cook netting the goals to do the damage plus at Steppingley Road, Flitwick Town and Marston Shelton Rovers shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Jim Lewis and Pat Lewis on the mark for the Town against a Rovers brace in reply from Jamie Cerminara.

Division Two

It was a sad end to the season for newly crowned league champions Goldington who could only raise nine players for their visit to Westoning where they were duly beaten 5-3. Glenn Cooksley twice plus Ben Dashwood, Lewis Wilson and Stuart Jeffrey on the home scoresheet against replies from Justin Muircroft twice and Damion Quigley.

Whilst Bromham United had to settle for a final fifth place finish after losing 3-2 at home against Oakley Sports M&DH Reserves. Raymond Parkinson, Matthew Atherton and John Hislop on the visitors scoresheet against United replies from Darren Payne and Reuben Hukin.

Division Three

Renhold United Reserves duly collected a 2-1 away victory at Clifton to ensure themselves of runners-up spot. Justin Newman and Kane Alexander on their scoresheet against a home reply from Ricky Aris.

Whilst Riseley Sports ended their season with a 5-4 home win over Wilshamstead Reserves to see them finish the campaign in fifth spot. Alex Clipston with a brace plus an own goal and strikes from Sylvester Mulenga and James Gibson outscoring a brace from Liam Fenton and strikes from Sean Harrod and Jay Hall.

Elsewhere, Kempston Hammers Sports lifted themselves out of the relegation zone at the expense of Royal Oak Kempston with a 4-1 victory at Dunton. Nick Tysoe, Richard Garnham, Dan Harte plus Mick Freeman from the penalty spot seeing their goals only replied to by Liam Brophy.