Bedfordshire League preview

Spotlight this weekend for the majority of Premier Division supported by Sportsform clubs falls upon action in the second round of this seasons Bedfordshire FA Senior Trophy. Of the eight ties taking place we have involvement in six of them including three all Bedfordshire County Football League clashes.

In those three ties, AFC Biggleswade host Caldecote at The Carlsberg Stadium just one month after losing to them in league action at the same venue and with the hosts still looking for their first home win of the season you would favour the visitors to make it into the hat for the Quarter-final draw.

However, in the other two all Bedfordshire County Football League clashes you would favour the home clubs to prevail. They come at Hillgrounds where AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College still unbeaten in league action this season are visited by a yet to win on the road this season Bedford Hatters side and at Renhold Playing Fields where hosts Renhold United you would expect will feel they have enough in the locker to overcome the visiting Shefford Town & Campton.

Of the three clubs facing opposition from other leagues just one will have home advantage, that club being Marston Shelton Rovers who entertain South Midlands League Division One Langford at their Playing Field Headquarters knowing that they will have to be at their very best to stand any chance of progressing into the last eight.

For the two clubs hitting the road, league leaders Arlesey Town Reserves still unbeaten this season will be expecting to at least give a good account of themselves when they travel to The Hollow to face United Counties League Division One side Potton United.Whilst Ickwell & Old Warden journey to Manor Road to take on South Midlands League Division Two side Caddington perhaps even the favourites to prevail.

Away from these cup ties there are two Premier Division supported by Sportsform fixtures taking place.At Cople Playing Fields, Bedford Sports Athletic will be looking for their first win of the season when visited by a Flitwick Town side that has been beaten just once on the road all season and at Lodge Road, Sharnbrook will now, following the demise of Blunham again search out their first home win of the season when visited by a Lidlington United Sports side who will travel looking for their own first away win of the season.

In Division One the game of the day comes with the eagerly awaited clash at Greenfields between hosts Shillington and the visting Shefford Town & Campton Reserves where local bragging rights alongside the three points will be on offer to add even more spice to the occasion.Whilst at Stanbridge Road, league leaders Leighton United look to return to winning ways on home soil for the first time in three outings when called upon by a Sandy side that has failed to win any of its last four league outings.

Other action comes at Harvey Close, the venue at which still 100% at home this season Caldecote Reserves receive a visit from a Brickhill Tigers side that has won just the once on the road all season and at their Playing Fields headquarters third place Pavenham also defend their seasons 100% home ways when called upon by bottom of the table AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves.

Elsewhere at King George VI Playing Fields, second from bottom of the table Kings AFC will be in search of their first home point/points of the season when called upon by seventh place Henlow who have won just the once on the road all season. Whilst at Chaul Lane End, Luton Boys will be playing hosts to eighth place Elstow Abbey who will hit the road looking for their third away win on the bounce.

After the excitement of cup action last weekend it’s a return to league affairs for the lower division sides this weekend. For Division Two league leaders Goldington that means a defence of their seasons unbeaten ways when they host Bromham United in Mowsbury Park who make the short journey across town in search of their first away point/points of the season.Whilst for second place Sundon Park Rangers it’s a trip on the road to Crawley Road to face sixth place and still unbeaten at home this season Cranfield United Reserves.

At the other Crawley Road, third place Woburn Athletic will be expected to return to winning ways on home soil when called upon by yet to win on the road this season Meltis Albion and for fourth place Marabese Ceramics the quest for their third win on the bounce takes them on the road to Oakley Playing Fields to face an Oakley Sports M&DH Reserves side who are now unbeaten in their last three home outings.

Over at Greenfield Road, eighth place Westoning will be defending their seasons 100% home record when called upon by second from bottom of the table Potton United Reserves whose away record of just one win from six outings perhaps does them an injustice and leaves them sitting in a false position in the league table.

The final action in this division seeing Stopsley Park after two straight defeats look to return to winning ways when they host Eastcotts AFC, but with the visitors having won three of their last four away outings the task will not be an easy one.

In Division Three , league leaders Marsh Leys will be defending their seasons 100% away ways when at Cutler Hammer which of course is also their home base they are hosted by fellow ground sharers Kempston Hammers Sports who will be looking to put their first home point/points of the season on the board. This game being subject to the outcome of The Beds FA Board of inquiry into Marsh Leys Beds FA Junior Cup game with Kempston Athletic being held on Wednesday 7th November. Please watch www.bedfordshirefootballleague.co.uk for update.Whilst at Whiston Crescent, second place Clifton receive a visit from second from bottom of the table Bedford Park Rangers whose last six league outings have all ended in defeat.

For third place Wilshamstead Reserves beaten just once this season it’s a trip on the road to The Green to take on 10th place Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves who still hold down a 100% season’s home record. Whilst fourth place Westoning Reserves also hit the road to defend their seasons unbeaten away ways against a Great Barford side who at their Playing Field headquarters have won their last three games.

Over at Gold Street, fifth place Riseley Sports now unbeaten unbeaten in their last five league outings defend their seasons unbeaten home record when called upon by bottom of the table Royal Oak Kempston who make the journey in this game number nine of the season still looking for their first point/points of the season.

Other action takes place at Horseshoes Close, the venue at which seventh place Dunton host ninth place Stevington looking for their third win on the bounce against their visitors who look to end a run of five league games without a win. Whilst at Mill Lane, Potton Town go in search of home win number three on the bounce when called upon by Renhold United Reserves.

In Division Four, leaders leaders Elstow Abbey Reserves will be defending their seasons 100% record when at The Warren they receive a visit from bottom of the table Shefford Town & Campton A.Whilst second place Bedford Panthers defend their own 100% seasons record when they journey to Harvey Close to be hosted by a Caldecote A side who will be in search of their first home point/points of the season.

For third place Flitwick Town Reserves,its home action at Steppingley Road where they look for home win number four on the bounce against sixth place Clifton Reserves who are looking to repair the damage from two consecutive defeats and for fifth place Dunton Reserves, it’s a trip to Hillgrounds to face a Kempston Athletic side that has won its last two home games to climb the table into eighth place.This game again being subject to the outcome of the afore-mentioned Beds FA Board of inquiry into the Marsh Leys v Kempston Athletic cup tie.

Other action coming at Hinksley Road, the venue at which eleventh place Dinamo Flitwick take on seventh place Marston Shelton Rovers and at Bedford Road Recreation Ground where second from bottom of the table Sandy Reserves host ninth place Wootton Village looking for their first win in seven outings against a Village side who have won just the once on the road all season.