Bedfordshire League preview

For Premier Division supported by Sportsform clubs, that of course means The Britannia Cup, the current holders are Caldecote, and they have been favoured with a home tie at Harvey Close against Arlesey Town Reserves. With the holders having been beaten just once on home soil this term and the visitors yet to win on the road this season, one would be most surprised if Caldecote’s name was not in the hat for the last eight draw come the final whistle.Please note this game could be subject to change depending upon The Bedfordshire FA decision on their postponed Bedfordshire FA Senior Trophy game with AFC Dunstable, details of which will be posted to the leagues website www.bedfordshirefootballleague.co.uk when known.

Last season’s beaten finalists Woburn also have a home tie at Crawley Road against Dunton.The Safari Boys have been beaten just three times at home this season to suggest home advantage might pay off, however one of those defeats came 0-4 at the hands of Dunton thus this tie is far from a home banker.

The tie of the round however looks to be the Renhold Playing Fields clash between hosts Renhold United and their visitors Blunham.These two clubs met in league action six weeks ago with the game finishing in a 2-2 draw.Another close game looks on the cards which might yet stretch to extra time and penalties before the winners emerge.

Over at Stanbridge Road, Leighton United last seasons Centenary Cup winners get their first taste of Britannia Cup action at home to Flitwick Town.United still unbeaten on home soil this term perhaps the favourites to progress to the last eight but the Town held them to a 2-2 league draw just a month ago and will be no pushovers.

Another tie to close to call comes at Houghton Conquest Playing Fields between hosts Wilshamstead and Shefford Town & Campton. The hosts going into the game still unbeaten on home soil this term and enjoying a 11 game unbeaten run,whilst the visitors are currently on their own eight game unbeaten run, all of which points to another close encounter.

It’s local derby action at Lodge Road between hosts Sharnbrook and near neighbours Oakley Sports.A league meeting between the clubs on the opening day of the season went 5-3 in favour of The Sportsman but on current league form revenge could well be on the cards.

The opening round tie being delayed until Wednesday December 22nd when Biggleswade United Reserves will entertain AFC Kempston Town at Second Meadow.One of Town’s only two wins of the season so far this campaign came back in September at Second Meadow and they will be hoping a return visit will help kick start their season.

In The Centenary Cup,its home action for last seasons beaten finalists Blunham Reserves at Moggerhanger Playing Fields against Brache Sparta Community Reserves.Despite the hosts poor home form this term they will be the favourites to advance against a Brache side that has not won on the road this season.

Another home side who will feel confident of progressing into the last eight are Marston Shelton Rovers,they entertain Luton Old Boys at their Playing Field headquarters. The Old Boys hitting the road in search of their first away win of the season.

Over at Groveside, Henlow have suffered just one home defeat all season, alas that was against Potton Wanderers who revisit just a month since they dished out a 6-0 beating the firm favourites for a last eight place.

It’s local derby action at Bedford Road Recreation Ground between hosts Sandy and visitors Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves. The clubs have already met twice in league action this term with honours even at one a piece, both achieved on each others ground by the same 2-0 scoreline.

Cople Playing Fields is the venue for Bedford Sports Athletics’ home tie with Meltis Albion.Again they have already met twice in league action, both winning on home soil by three goal margins and with home advantage Athletic could well be the name going into the last eight draw hat.

The final tie coming at Hillgrounds between AFC Kempston Town and Caldecote Reserves.Town’s lone home league win of the campaign came over their visitors 1-0 back in early October and with Caldecote now on a five game losing run, Town could just sneak this tie.

For Division Two sides it’s action in The Jubilee Cup. The tie of the round looking to be the Arlesey Playing Fields clash between hosts Arlesey Social Galacticos and their visitors Elstow Abbey.The home side still unbeaten on home soil this season, whilst the visitors have recorded wins in each of their last three outings.

Over in Mowsbury Park, Queens Park Crescent beaten just once on home soil this season will start the firm favourites to advance to the last eight at the expense of visitors Westoning Recreation Club.Whilst Lea Sports PSG put their seasons 100% home record on the line at Pirton Recreation Ground when they host a Bromham United side that has only been beaten once away from home this season.

In the other five ties perhaps it will be the visitors who will start the favourites to make it into the hat for the second round draw.Marabese Ceramics now unbeaten in their last three trips away from Groveside heading to The Bedford Hockey Centre to face a Harpur FC side that has already been beaten five times at home this season. Whilst Great Barford winners of the cup in season 2007-08 will travel with confidence as they make their way to Cutler Hammer to face Kempston Hammers Sports.

It’s local derby action at Rectory Road between Shefford Town & Campton Reserves who host Clifton.The visitors who have lost just once on their travels this season will no doubt fancy their chances of turning over a Town side that has failed to win any of its last seven games.

Other action comes at King George VI Playing Fields, Kings AFC having recorded their only home win this season over Lidlington United Sports just

14 days ago now take them on in cup action.Whilst Stopsley Park go into Luton Regional Sports Centre action against Stevington seeking only their second home win of the campaign.

The Watson Shield this season will be competed for by all Division Three and Four sides thus today’s tie is only for a place in the last 16. At Hillgrounds, runaway Division Three league leaders Pavenham defend their seasons 100% ways in home action against a Riseley Sports side that has yet to be beaten on its travels this season and come in search of revenge for an early season league defeat on their own Gold Street patch.

At the same venue, Division Four Eastcotts who are still unbeaten at home this season will fancy their chances of overturning Division Three Wilshamstead Reserves. Whilst on neighbouring pitches there is an all Division Four clash between hosts Kempston Athletic and Stewartby Village.Plus The Royal Oak Kempston looking to end a run of five straight Division Three league defeats when they host Division Four Goldington Hammers.

The tie of the round however belongs to Oakley Playing Fields which stages a repeat of last seasons final, hosts and current Shield holders M& DH Oakley taking on Renhold Village in a game that could go either way.However these two clubs for the past two weekends have been trying to play out a round three tie in The Bedfordshire FA Junior Cup and the County Association might yet decree that this tie takes precedence. Any amendment of course will be posted to the leagues website www.bedfordshirefootballleague.co.uk

www.bedfordshirefootballleague.co.uk> when known.

Over at Harvey Close, Division Three Caldecote A should make home advantage pay off when they host Division Four Lea Sports PSG Reserves and perhaps Division Four Clifton Reserves will be thinking the same when they host Division Three Westoning Recreation Club Reserves at Whiston Crescent, The Rec Boys with just one away victory to their name this season.

At Horseshoes Close, things will not be easy for Division Three hosts Dunton Reserves who are visited by Division Four side Thurleigh who are currently enjoying an eight game unbeaten run.

Mowsbury Park will stage two ties,Goldington of Division Four perhaps the favourites to overturn Division Three visitors Flitwick Town Reserves, but it will be a major shock if Division Four hosts Bedford Park Rangers find enough in the locker to overcome runaway Division Four league leaders AFC Turvey.

Down at Sunderland Road Playing Fields in Sandy, Potton Town will have to be at their very best if they are to progress at the expense of Division Three Co-op Sports who have already won five times on the road this term.

A tie perhaps too close to call comes with an all Division Three clash in Stockwood Park between hosts Sundon Park Rangers and Sharnbrook Reserves.

Whilst Digswell Playing Fields is the venue for Division Three Shefford Town & Campton A’s home tie with Division Four Wootton Village,the hosts looking for their first home win of the campaign against a Village side that has won just once on the road this season.