Bedfordshire League preview

For current league leaders Caldecote,it’s home action at Harvey Close against Wilshamstead.The hosts looking to defend their unbeaten home ways for the season against a rapidly improving Wilshamstead side whose need for points at the other end of the table is just as paramount. Whilst at Lodge Road, host club Sharnbrook also require points to climb away from the drop zone but will not find it easy when called upon by promotion seeking Arlesey Town Reserves.

Bedford Sports Athletic’s chances of beating the drop compare well with those of winning the jackpot on the lottery but that will not stop them from making every effort to win their first league game of the season when at Grange Road they are called upon by an AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Sports side for whom if successful, it would be just their fourth away league win of the season.

Over at Rectory Road, Shefford Town & Campton will perhaps fancy their chances of recording home win number three on the bounce against the visiting Bedford Hatters who have won just the once on the road in league action so far this season. Whilst at Steppingley Road, hosts Flitwick Town will go about improving their poor home form against in form visitors AFC Biggleswade

The final game in this division taking place on The Green, the venue at which hosts Ickwell & Old Warden seek their first home win since beating Sharnbrook back in early November when visited by Lidlington United Sports who will hit the road looking for league win number five on the bounce.

The fight for the division one title now looks down to a straight battle between Leighton United and Shillington.However, this weekend both clubs face tricky games. League leaders Shillington making their way to Harvey Close to face fourth place Caldecote Reserves.Whilst at Stanbridge Road,Leighton United are in home action against Shefford Town & Campton Reserves who are more than capable of causing a surprise to assist their near neighbours quest for the title.

Over at Bedford Road Recreation Ground, it’s local derby action between Sandy and Henlow. The hosts looking for their fifth home win on the bounce against a Henlow side that have lost their last three away outings. .

Down at the bottom of the table and deep in the drop zone are Kings AFC.Having won just once on home soil all season and now on a four game losing run, its home King George VI Playing Field action against a visiting Luton Boys side who travel seeking their third away win on the bounce.Other action coming at Pavenham Playing Fields, the venue at which hosts Pavenham are visited by an Elstow Abbey side whose last league away win came as long ago as late October at Sandy.

In division two for league leaders Sundon Park Rangers it’s a trip to The Hollow seeking their fourth league win on the bounce against Potton United Reserves. Whilst for fifth place Eastcotts AFC now unbeaten in their last seven starts its a home game with a difference against bottom of the table Meltis Albion. The difference being the game will be played at Miller Road the home of The Albion.

Whilst over in Mowsbury Park, second place Goldington’s quest for the league title continues when they are visited by a Woburn Athletic side who have won just the twice on their league travels this season and for fellow title seekers Marabese Ceramics who currently sit in third spot,it’s a trip to Greenfield Road to be hosted by Westoning.The Tilermen looking to take their unbeaten league ways up to nine games against a home side that are yet to be beaten on home soil in league action this season. Meantime, two of the other promotion candidates go head to head at Crawley Road, the venue at which fourth place Cranfield United Reserves look to retain their seasons unbeaten home ways when visited by a Bromham United side who will hit the road looking for their fifth league win on the bounce.

Mowsbury Park is also the venue for Queens Park Crescents home encounter with Stopsley Park. Crescents looking to end a run of seven home league games without a victory against a Park side whose lone away league win of the season came in Mowsbury Park against Goldington back in late November. Whilst in Leagrave Park, St Joseph Reserves will be looking for just their third home win of the season when visited by an Oakley Sports M&DH Reserves side who themselves have won just the once in league action on the road this season.

It’s quarter-final day this weekend in The Watson Shield. At Whiston Crescent, third division title contenders Clifton will be firm favourites to make the last four when visited by local rivals Shefford Town & Campton A.Whilst home advantage might just be the difference in two of the three other ties. At their Playing Field headquarters where Stevington play hosts to fellow division three side Wilshamstead Reserves and in Hillgrounds for the all division four clash between Kempston Con Club Sports and the visiting Dinamo Flitwick.

The fourth tie is at Cutler Hammer, where Renhold United Reserves will fancy their chances of making the last four when they hit the road to be hosted by Kempston Hammers Sports in a second all division three clash.

In division three league action, its trips on the road for three of the four promotion sides in league action this weekend. Riseley Sports being fully expected to collect all three points from their journey into Mowsbury Park to face bottom of the table Bedford Park Rangers. A comment that also applies to Great Barford when they make roads for a Hillgrounds outing against second from the bottom of the table Royal Oak Kempston.

However, things might be a little harder for Westoning Reserves when they journey to Horseshoes Close to face a Dunton side who despite losing their last two home outings will take heart from their 5-3 away win at Greenfield Road earlier in the season as they go about the task of achieving a seasons league double over their visitors.

The one title contending club to enjoy home advantage will be current league leaders Potton Town, for them it’s home local derby Mill Lane action against Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves.

Division Four action this weekend being restricted to just four games.However,both of the title contenders will be in action.League leaders Bedford Panthers facing Kempston Athletic for the second consecutive weekend, this time on Athletic’s own Hillgrounds patch.Last week they scraped home by just a single goal,thus another close encounter looks on the cards. Whilst at The Warren, second place Elstow Abbey Reserves look to preserve their 100% home league ways when called upon by a Sandy Reserves side whose lone away league win of the season came surprisingly at league leaders Bedford Panthers in early December.

The third game taking place comes at Marston Playing Fields, the venue at which hosts Marston Shelton Rovers seek home league win number six on the bounce when called upon by Dunton Reserves whose away win tally for the season stands at just two. Whilst the final fixture sees the bottom two sides go head to head at Wootton Recreation Ground, bottom of the table hosts Wootton Village looking for their first win in eight league outings when called upon by Caldecote A.