Bedfordshire League: Saturday, January 8

WITH just two Premier Division fixtures going ahead following heavy rain during the previous 24 hours, table-topping Wilshamstead took full advantage on Saturday to go three points clear with a 7-3 home win over Leighton United.

Paul Jones netting four alongside single strikes from Colin Marshall, Jack Wiggs and Neville Allen following his midweek transfer from Blunham while the Leighton replies came courtesy of Rob Greenwood, Paul Darton and Jake Forsythe.

And now up into second place are Shefford Town & Campton who, like the leaders retained their season’s unbeaten home run with a 3-0 victory over bottom of the table Biggleswade United Reserves. Andrew Hayday gave them a first half lead while he then doubled it after the break before Tom Scurfield added the third.

Of the other scheduled games, all failed to beat waterlogged pitch inspections apart from the Harvey Close clash between Caldecote and Southill Alexander. That game failed to go ahead after the visitors announced on Friday that they would not be able to raise a side!

Division One

FOR Division One leaders Potton Wanderers it was no more than a stroll in the park as they emerged 11-0 winners at AFC Kempston Town Reserves. Sam Worthington and James Hearson both scored hat-tricks while Danny Fox netted a brace alongside an own goal plus strikes from Tom Blow and Chris Sams.

Second placed Marston Shelton Rovers however were required to come from behind twice to claim a 3-2 victory at Blunham Reserves. Aaron Franks, Mark Champkin and Dean Clark were Rovers’ heroes as they outgunned Blunham’s Darren Ashpole and Luke Stone.

There were goals aplenty at Bedford Road Recreation Ground where Sandy took their unbeaten ways to five games with a 5-4 win over Bedford Sports Athletic. Ian Hammett led the way with a hat-trick alongside goals for Craig Baker and Daniel Stafford on his Sandy debut following his transfer from Great Barford. The Athletic replies came from Asa Mead and Andrew Latimer who each netted a brace.

Just down the road on The Green, Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves achieved their first home win of the season with a 3-1 victory over bottom of the table Luton Old Boys. It was goalless at half-time but the game was won after a Lee Threadgold hat-trick in the second period against a late reply from Ashley Wadhams.

At Groveside, Henlow and Caldecote Reserves shared the spoils in a 3-3 draw, Neil Spencer scoring twice for the hosts along with a single from Joe Fallano while Jack Gabbitas netted a hat-trick in reply.

Division Two

DIVISION Two was reduced to just four games due to waterlogged pitches and alas for Arlesey Social Galacticos, they failed to take advantage of non-playing leaders Queens Park Crescents as they lost 2-1 at home to Bromham United. David Baxter bagged United’s two goals to take his side’s unbeaten ways up to four games, the Social replying through Jonathan Rowe.

So up into third spot are Clifton despite being held to a 2-2 home draw by Stopsley Park. Tony Norman and Barry Hallybone were the home goalscorers against a Shane Roberts brace in reply.

Also jumping above non-playing Lea Sports PSG and into fourth spot on goal difference were Elstow Abbey following their 12-1 home thumping of Harpur FC. Two goals from Mark Nicholson plus strikes from Tom Pitts and Dave McCarthy saw them lead 4-1 at the break, before Ed L’Erario (four), Jason Harrison (two) plus singles from Harry Ellis and Jermaine Mills completed the rout.

The final game in Division Two saw Kings AFC as 5-1 home winners against Westoning Recreation Club. Josh Clements bagged a hat-trick while Ollie Pleasted netted a brace, Jack Barnwell replying for the Rec Boys.

Division Three

AS in Division Two, the action was reduced to just three games due to waterlogged pitches and Sharnbrook Reserves took full advantage as Pavenham had to sit the afternoon out. Sharnbrook closed to within three points of them following their sixth win on the bounce, this time 3-2 at Riseley Sports. Darren Wallinger, Mark Smith and Jordan Baxter netted the goals against home replies from a Jimmy Grandidge penalty and Paul Brown, who later spoilt his copybook by getting red carded.

However top scorers of the day were Sundon Park Rangers. They were 7-3 home winners over Caldecote ‘A’ thanks to Sam Chapman and Matthew Conway (who each scored twice) alongside an own goal plus strikes from Nick Buttigeig and Ben Stratful. The visitor’s goals came from Steve Bush, Ryan Ambrose plus a Carl Heath penalty kick.

The third and final game saw bottom of the table Shefford Town & Campton ‘A’

beaten 4-3 at home by Wilshamstead Reserves. James Abbott (two), Sam Ayles and Neil Greig were on the scoresheet for the winners against home replies from Stef Collins, David Jones and Sean Francis.

Division Four

WATERLOGGED pitches meant that Division Four was reduced to just two games, one of which saw AFC Turvey retain their season’s 100 per cent record which stretched their lead to five points following a 4-0 home win over Bedford Park Rangers. Two goals from John Guiney plus strikes from Daniel Bailey and Saimir Guri did the damage.

For Clifton Reserves there was a 4-1 win at Lea Sports PSG Reserves thanks to goals from Alex Fisher, Dean Constant, Greg King and David Dice, the home reply from Rosario Raffermati.

Bedfordshire FA Junior Cup

RENHOLD Village booked themselves a home Beds FA Junior Cup quarter-final tie with Potton Town following their 3-2 win at M & DH Oakley. Dan Luke bagged a brace while Jon Searle netted the other while Oakley replies came from Shaun Cafferty and Adam Emms.

Preview Saturday 15th January 2011

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