Bedfordshire League preview: October 3

For four of our clubs that means action against opposition from the Spartan South Midlands League and the toughest task perhaps faces Shefford Town & Campton when at their Hitchin Road complex they face a visit from Kent Athletic.

The Athletic making the trip currently sitting on top of the SML Division Two league table with eight wins and one draw from their opening nine league games.

Sitting third in that same league table are Totternhoe who at their Dunstable Road headquarters will play hosts to last seasons beaten finalists AFC Oakley M&DH. Whilst its also a trip into Luton for Pavenham who make their way to Beverley Road to take on The 61FC Luton whose league start as seen them win just the twice in their opening eight outings.

The final club facing SSML opposition are Marston Shelton Rovers who hit the road for Forde Park and an outing against SSML Division One side Langford. With the Rovers winners of their last three aways outings and the Reds having only won two of their opening 10 league games they travel full of hope of progressing into the last 16.

This leaves us with three all Bedfordshire County Football League affairs. At Hillgrounds, AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College will be looking for revenge when Wilstead come calling having lost 6-1 at Jubilee Playing Fields just a month ago in league action. Whilst Renhold United return to Crawley Road to be hosted by Cranfield United having already won there 4-1 in league action early in September.

The final tie comes at Weston Park, the venue at which hosts Eastcotts AFC receive a visit from Elstow Abbey in a tie where both clubs will be looking to put their poor league form behind them.

All this Trophy action leaves us with just two Premier Division supported by Sportsform fixtures. At the Football Centre, Flitwick Town would jump up the table into fifth spot with a victory over Sharnbrook who will be hitting the road looking for their first away points/points of the season to end a run of four consecutive defeats. Whilst at Woburn Road, Ampthill Town Reserves go in search of their first home win of the season when called upon by Caldecote.

In Division One supported by Wests Citroen Bedford action, with league leaders AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves sitting the afternoon out we could well have new table toppers come the final whistles.

Perhaps in pole position to take over the leadership are current second placers Sundon Park Rangers, but it will not be easy as they defend their seasons 100% ways with a trip into Allen Park where they will be hosted by fourth place Queens Park Crescents who themselves with a victory could become the new league leaders.

Whilst Stevington would not be able to prevent the Rangers moving to the top of the standings with a win in Allen Park should the result go the other way or end in stalemate then with a win themselves upon their visit to Gold Street for local derby action against Riseley Sports it would be them and not the Crescents who would head the table at close of play.

Over at Church Lane, bottom of the table AFC Oakley M&DH Reserves will not only be looking for their first point/points of the season but also their first goal of the season when called upon by Westoning. Whilst second from bottom of the table Houghton Athletic also go in search of their first victory of the season when they journey to Chambers Lane to be hosted by Ickleford.

Miller Road is the venue of the day’s final game where hosts Meltis Albion go in search of their first home win of the season against the visiting Shefford Town & Campton Reserves who venture away from home for the first time in season 2015-16.

The lower division action this weekend is restricted to just a single game in division four when at Greenfield Road Westoning Reserves look to return to winning ways when playing hosts to Stevington Reserves. This being no easy task as with the visitors still 100% for the season a point or more would see them top the league standings come the final whistle.