Bedfordshire League cup weekend: March 7

For Premier Division supported by Sportsform clubs that means action in the Britannia Cup.

For current holders Shefford Town & Campton the defence of their crown begins with a trip to Pavenham Playing Fields to be hosted by a Pavenham side who defeated them in league action at the same venue just three weeks ago.

Whilst last season’s beaten finalists Wilstead who are now starting to hit a rich vein of form its home action at Jubilee Playing Fields against Sandy.The league encounter at the same venue in late January ended all square at 3-3 and another tight game could well be on the cards.

Having won the cup in both seasons 2011-12 and 2012-13 AFC Oakley M&DH will be expected to make the last eight when at Church Road they play hosts to bottom of the table Ickwell & Old Warden. Whilst just down the road at Renhold Playing Fields, current league leaders Renhold United who have yet to have their name engraved on the famous old trophy should progress into the last eight at the expense of the visiting Sharnbrook.

Other action comes at Harvey Close, the venue at which seven times winners Caldecote play hosts to Eastcotts AFC and with their league encounter at the same venue earlier in the season going their way 3-2 they will look to this tie to brighten up their disappointing league season.

Whilst a tight game can also well be expected at the Flitwick Football Centre where hosts Flitwick Town take on AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College,especially after their league encounter at the same venue just three weeks ago ended in a 2-2 draw.

With this cup action taking place there is just one game taking place in the Premier Division supported by Sportsform division when at Weston Park fifth place Wootton Blue Cross will look to return to winning ways on home soil when called upon by near neighbours Marston Shelton Rovers who will hit the road now winners of their last four away outings and just a point and a place below them in the league table.

For Division One supported by Wests Citroen Bedford teams the action comes in the Centenary Cup and for current holders Henlow that means home Groveside action against AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves just seven days after they clashed at Hillgrounds in league action where Henlow won 6-3 to claim all three points.

Whilst last season’s beaten finalists Sundon Park Rangers will be hitting the road for an Ickleford Recreation Ground tie against Marabese Ceramics hoping to better the 1-1 draw they gained at the same venue on the opening day of the league season.

Over in Allen Park, Queens Park Crescents having won 5-2 at Bedford SA in league action just 14 days ago will start the favourites to make the last eight, a comment that also applies to Cranfield United when they journey to Mill Lane to be hosted by Potton Town in the knowledge they won at the venue 4-1 in league action in December.

Other ties come at Miller Road, the venue at which last seasons Jubilee Cup finalists Meltis Albion receive a visit from a Shefford Town & Campton Reserves side they have already beaten at the same venue in league action back in December and at Fisher Close, Great Barford will be expected to progress into the last eight at the expense of the visiting AFC Oakley M&DH Reserves.

This cup action reduces the league programme to just one game when at Gold Street, eighth place Riseley Sports look to return to winning ways on home soil against the visiting bottom of the table AFC Harlington who have won just the twice on the road in league action all season.

The cup action for Division Two sides comes in the shape of the Jubilee Cup. Over at the Hockey Centre, Bedford United host FC Houghton fully aware their visitors have already netted two league wins over them this season. Whilst at Wootton Recreation Ground, the same comment applies to Wootton Village when they play hosts to Clapham Sports who have done likewise.

Elsewhere, down at Cutler Hammer, Kempston Hammers Sports host ground sharers Kempston Athletic who they beat 4-1 in league action at the same venue when it was Athletics’ home game and at Horseshoes Close, Moggerhanger United will be the favourites to progress at the expense of the visiting Marston Shelton Rovers Reserves.

League Division Two action brings about a programme of three games. At their Playing Field headquarters Stevington still unbeaten on home soil this season and winners of their last 12 league outings are paid a visit by bottom of the table Wilstead Reserves and at Greenfield Road where hosts Westoning have won their last four league outings the visitors are Renhold United Reserves. T

he final action comes at Harvey Close, the venue at which second from bottom of the table Caldecote Reserves receive a visit from tenth place Meltis Albion Reserves.

For Division Three sides it’s action in round two of the Watson Shield. At the Sandy Academy its local derby action between the hosting Mid Beds Tigers and the visiting Caldecote U20 in a tie which the hosts will fancy they can win. Whilst perhaps the tie of the round comes at Pirton Recreation Ground, the venue at which hosts Lea Sports PSG will seek to gain revenge for their earlier league defeat at the same venue against the visiting Dinamo Flitwick.

Over at Rectory Road, Shefford Town & Campton A having recorded two league wins over Westoning U20 this season will look for the hat-trick to progress into the last eight. Whilst the other three ties sees our teams in opposition to Bedfordshire Saturday Youth League U17 sides. Cranfield United Reserves at Crawley Road being visited by BSYL high flyers Dunstable Town and at Bedford Road Recreation Ground, Sandy Reserves play hosts to Linslade Galaxy Real.

The third tie sees Clifton hit the road to be hosted by Southcott Village RA. Meantime there is still a first round tie to be settled, this being an all BSYL affair between local rivals Leighton United and Leighton Town for the right to journey to face Atletico Euopa in round two.