Bedfordshire League preview: October 4

Of the 10 clubs going into battle eight of them go head to head in all Bedfordshire County League clashes. At Hitchin Road, Shefford Town & Campton, having already netted away wins over Ickwell & Old Warden in both the league and Biggleswade Knock Out Cup this season, will feel confident about making it a hat-trick when the boys from the Green come visiting.

Over at Marston Playing Fields, the high flying Marston Shelton Rovers play hosts to an Eastcotts AFC side they beat on their own patch in league action back in late August and thus will be looking for a quick double but the other two all Bedfordshire County Football League games look harder to call.

At Lodge Road, Sharnbrook will be playing hosts to Wilstead in a tie they will perhaps start the slight favourites whilst Wootton Blue Cross will be on enroute for a meeting with Flitwick Town.

Of the two clubs facing opposition from the South Midlands League home advantage might yet prove to be crucial, at their Playing Field headquarters Renhold United play hosts to Arlesey Town Reserves and at Hurst Grove, Lidlington United receive a visit from Kent Athletic.

All this cup action leaving us with just a programme of three games in the Premier Division supported by Sportsform section. At Harvey Close, Caldecote play hosts to second from bottom of the table Sandy looking to avoid their third home defeat on the bounce and its also local derby action when still unbeaten AFC Oakley M&DH make the short trip down the road to face Pavenham.

Meantime at Hillgrounds, AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College host AFC Turvey looking for a quick double having beaten them 3-0 on their own Thurleigh patch just 21 days ago.

The game of the day in Division One comes at the Warren where second place hosts Elstow Abbey put their 100% record on the line against the visiting league leaders Henlow who themselves hit the road still 100% for the season.

For third place Sundon Park Rangers its home action at Stockwood Park Athletic Track looking to retain their seasons unbeaten ways against the visiting AFC Oakley M&DH Reserves. Whilst fourth place Cranfield United still unbeaten this season head for a Gold Street outing against still 100% at home Riseley Sports.

Over at Hillgrounds, AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves will be looking for their first home win of the season against the visiting second from bottom of the table Shefford Town & Campton Reserves who come in search of their own first win of the season home or away.

Whilst after two heavy defeats, basement club Brache Sparta will be hoping for better times when they journey to Ickleford Playing Fields to face the yet to win themselves Marabese Ceramics. Also on the outlook for their first wins of the season will be AFC Harlington when they entertain Bedford SA at New Grounds and Potton Town who make the journey into Mowsbury Park to face Queens Park Crescents.

The final action comes at Miller Road, the venue at which Great Barford journey for their first away game of the season against the hosting Meltis Albion.

In Division Two for the still 100% league leaders Westoning its a trip to the Hockey Centre to take on Bedford United. Whilst second place Elstow Abbey Reserves will be expected to collect the full three points from their away encounter in Hillgrounds against yet to win and bottom of the table Kempston Con Club Sports.

Third place Meltis Albion Reserves will again be on the road heading for a Jubilee Playing Fields outing against second from bottom of the table Wilstead Reserves who will be search of their first win of the season. Whilst also hitting the road for the second weekend running will be fourth place Kempston Hammers Sports who head for a Horseshoe Close outing against the yet to win at home Moggerhanger United.

Over at King George VI Playing Fields Clapham Sports receive a visit from the still unbeaten Stevington and at Cutler Hammer, hosts Kempston Athletic look to return to winning ways against a Wootton Village side who are now unbeaten in their last three league outings.

The final action coming at Moore Crescent, the venue at which hosts FC Houghton take on the visiting Caldecote Reserves

In Division Three, with league leaders Cranfield United Reserves sitting the afternoon out its home action at the Bedford Academy for second place Atletico Europa against a Sandy Reserves side who for certain will start the second favourites to collect the points but at the same time they do have a reputation for pulling off shock results. Europa you have been warned.

Just across Town at Hillgrounds, Flitwick Town Reserves will be seeking to retain their seasons unbeaten away league ways against the hosting White Eagles and for Shefford Town & Campton A its home action at Rectory Road against the visiting second from bottom of the table Caldecote U20 who travel in search of their first point/points of the season.

Also in search of their first point/points of the season will be bottom of the table Moggerhanger United Reserves when they travel to Walnut Tree Road to be hosted by Lea Sports PSG. Whilst on the 3G surface at Redborne School, sixth place Dinano Flitwick will be looking to extend their seasons unbeaten ways when called upon by fourth place Mid Beds Tigers.

Other action comes at Whiston Crescent, the venue at which third place Clifton will be playing hosts to a FC Serbia side still looking for their first away win of the season and at Greenfield Road where third from bottom of the table Westoning U20 entertain the visiting Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves who sit just one place above them on goal difference in the league standings.