Bedfordshire League: Cup joy for Marabese Ceramics

Following a goalless opening half and with many of the 115 crowd present still in the clubhouse enjoying their half-time cuppa’s, Ceramics skipper Gary Hillard shot his side ahead in the 47th minute.

A lead which was to double 19 minutes later when substitute Arin Fehmi saw his low driven corner deflected by Ian Strange passed his own goalkeeper Myles Massian for 2-0. However, it was game back on in the 74th minute when Ray Patrickson reduced the arrears from the penalty spot but despite the Sportsmen having much the better of the closing stages they failed to produce the goal which would have taken the game into extra time.

The Premier Division, supported by Sportform, title race will now go down to the last weekend after Caldecote were beaten 4-1 on Wednesday at Arlesey Town Reserves.

Luke Sharples netted in the 28th and 35th minute to shoot the Town 2-0 ahead before Caldecote old boy Mark Phillips added a third just four minutes before the break. Second half action saw a Phillips header in the 65th minute make it 4-0 before substitute Jack Boyd reduced the arrears five minutes from time.

Caldecote ran out 2-0 home winners over Sharnbrook on Saturday. Kai Griffiths-Shilton shooting them ahead in the opening half before Paul Lawrence doubled the scoreline in the second period to take Caldecote to their sixth home win on the bounce plus extending their unbeaten ways up to 11 games.

For second place Oakley Sports M&DH it was a 5-0 home win over Ickwell & Old Warden. Ali Smith, James Cooper, Jack Hoogstraten, Mark Smith and Chris Thorman all on the the scoresheet to give their side a fifth consecutive win and like Caldecote extend their unbeaten ways up to 11 games.

Renhold United now know they will finish the season in third spot after their 2-1 home win over AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College. Tom Dowsing and Jason Allison netting the United goals against a lone reply from Lyndon Ingerson.

Whilst Arlesey Town Reserves now looked booked for fourth spot despite being held to a 1-1 home draw by AFC Biggleswade. Mark Phillips on target for the Town against a reply from Justin Ring.

Elsewhere, Marston Shelton Rovers are now up into sixth spot in the league table following their 2-1 home win over Lidlington United Sports. Dean Reid and Nicky Daniels on the Rovers scoresheet against a United reply from Ben Marwood.

Meantime, with Bedford Hatters unable to field a side to travel to face Wilshamstead and there being insufficient time to arrange a rematch the points will now be awarded to Wilshamstead and The Hatters deducted three points from their seasons total. All of which now sees Wilshamstead jump the table into seventh spot and The Hatters drop down to tenth.

Division One

Leighton United now know that they only have to avoid a 12 goal defeat in their last game of the season to lift the division one league title following their 8-1 home victory over bottom of the table AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College who will also provide the opposition in that last game of the season for United. Daryl Smith and Luke Dolan both netting twice alongside an own goal plus strikes from Chris Scott, Michael Brunton and Rob Smith.

Centenary Cup Final

It proved to be penalty shoot-out agony for Elstow Abbey after they had twice come from behind in normal time to level matters at 2-2 against Henlow.

It was from the penalty spot that Joe Spencer gave Henlow the lead in the 17th minute. However, only two amazing misses from Abbey’s Charlie Nicholson right in front of the goal prevented the boys from The Warren leading the game by the half-time break. Abbey eventually levelling matters with a long range effort from Dominic Parrella in the 66th minute yet within 60 seconds Russell Ayles had restored the lead for Henlow only for Parrella with a cool finish make it 2-2 just four minutes later to conclude the scoring in the opening 90 minutes.

Extra time was to see no further goals added, so now it was to be a penalty shoot-out where the hero turned out to be Henlow goalkeeper Jack Mannion who saved the opening two efforts from Abbey’s Glen Tumulty and Travis Joseph after Henlow’s Russell Ayles and Mark McMullen had safely tucked their efforts into the back of the net. Jonathon Rowe then making it 3-0 for Henlow before Jason Harrison gave the Abbey hope to reduce the deficit to 3-1 and then have real hope when goalkeeper Jon Cole kept out the fourth Henlow effort from George Zitko, but cometh the hour cometh that man Mannion to save again from Dominic Parrella to ensure the cup back on its way to Groveside.

Division Two

Eastcotts AFC concluded their season with a 2-1 home victory over Cranfield United Reserves to climb the table into second spot on goal difference above Marabese Ceramics who will now require a point or better from their last outing to claim the season’s silver medals. Shane Wilson and Harvey Puddifoot on the home scoresheet against a United reply from Ben Martin.

Bromham United are now unbeaten in their last 11 away games and still in with a chance of a top four finish after winning 1-0 at Potton United Reserves thanks to a goal from Jahrome Mullings. Whilst Meltis Albion now know they will finish the season in bottom spot after being defeated 4-3 at home by Westoning. Stuart Jeffery, Tom Smith, Thomas Cooksley and Ben Dashwood on the winners scoresheet against home replies from Adam Cranny, Asa Garlick and Dan Smith.

Division Three

Having won their last 10 games Westoning Reserves failed to seal the division three league title when beaten 2-1 at home by Great Barford, a result which takes the visitors currently up into second spot. Ben Stock and David Mulvihill on the Barford scoresheet against a home reply from Scott Gadsden. Attention will now be fixed on next weekends Clifton v Renhold United Reserves fixture. United requiring a 17 goal win to take the title off of Westoning, any other win would give them the silver medals but a Clifton win would give them the silver medals whilst a draw would hand the silver medals to Great Barford.

Clifton keeping their silver medal hopes alive with a 2-1 win at Riseley Sports.Tony Norman and Greg King on their scoresheet against a home reply from Alex Clipston. Whilst Renhold United Reserves were gifted the three points when Dunton failed to raise a side to face them.

The biggest winners of the day were Stevington, they finished the season with a 6-2 home victory over Wilshamstead Reserves. Colm Lawlor netting twice alongside Aaron Fletcher, Jordan McMullan, Gavin White and Matt Coles against replies via Paul Jones and Matt Johnson.

Kempston Hammers Sports will now go into their last game of the season still with hopes of beating the drop following their 2-0 home win over Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves. Nick Tysoe and Adam Harte netting the vital goals.

Division Four

Clifton Reserves ended their season by claiming their sixth home win on the bounce with a 3-2 victory over bottom of the table Wootton Village. Andrew Mussett with a brace plus Nick Thomas seeing their goals only replied to by Adam Flynn and Jayden Johnson.

Whilst also ending their season with a sixth home win on the bounce were Dinamo Flitwick via a 4-3 win over Kempston Con Club Sports. Chaz Martin netting twice alongside Jamie Burton and Dale Goldie against Con Club replies from Michael Darnell, Ben Sparks and James Coates.