Bedfordshire League: Victories for trio at the top

For Premier Division, supported by Sportsform, leaders Shillington it was an extension of their unbeaten ways to 11 games with a 2-0 away win at Shefford Town & Campton where Steve Moules and Adrian Fontenelle netted the vital goals.

Whilst second place AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College retained their 100% home ways with a 2-1 victory over bottom of the table Sharnbrook, Danny Pilgrim netting both goals, Harry Atherton replying for the visitors.

Third place Lidlington United Sports won 3-1 at Marston Shelton Rovers to end Rovers’ unbeaten home record for the season. Alex Burrows scored a brace and James Snowden netted a penalty only being replied to by Jason Simons for The Rovers.

There was also an end to fourth place Wilstead’s unbeaten run of seven games as Wootton Blue Cross claimed their first away win with a 3-2 victory.

Phil Matthews, Carl Ibbotson and Mark Garrett scored for Wootton, Paul Jones bagged two for Wilstead.

Whilst Caldecote’s three game winning home run was ended when they were beaten 4-0 by Renhold United for whom Kegan Roberts scored twice alongside single strikes from Johnny Richens and Mark Reed.

This defeat sent Caldecote back into the relegation zone after Pavenham climbed above them following their 3-2 away win at Flitwick Town, James Owen netting twice and Tom Ellis once against home goals via Dan Stafford and Will Scutt.

The game between AFC Oakley M&DH and Ickwell & Old Warden being postponed after the visitors failed to raise a side to travel.

Division One

We have new league leaders in Division One in the shape of Sundon Park Rangers after they maintained their seasons perfect home record with a 3-0 win over Bedford Sports Athletic thanks to a brace from Sam Kehinde and a strike from Matt Conway.

Goldington fell to a 3-2 home defeat against bottom of the table Bromham United who were winning their first game of the season. Jahrome Mullings, Rob Bryne and Paul Hubbard were on the United scoresheet against home replies from a Sheldon Washington penalty and Glen Tumulty.

For third place AFC Turvey, who have games in hand on both of the top two sides, it was a 1-0 win at Marabese Ceramics thanks to a goal from Mark Allen. Whilst now up into fourth slot are Eastcotts AFC who retained their seasons unbeaten home ways when a goal from Michael Sexton was enough to give them a 1-0 win over Elstow Abbey.

Sandy lost out on that fourth place after they were held to a 3-3 home draw by Woburn Lions. Ryan Gregory with a brace plus Jonnie Stratford on the home scoresheet against Lions replies from Alex Mortlock, Dan Mclaren and Antony Kostiw.

Elsewhere, Henlow extended their winning run to four games with a 4-0 home win over Shefford Town & Campton Reserves. Mark McMillen, Keith Milburn, Russell Ayles plus a Joe Spence penalty doing the damage. Whilst Luton Boys Seniors are now without a win in their eight outings after being defeated 1-0 at home by Brickhill Tigers for whom Andy Haylock netted the goal.

Division Two

Kings AFC kept themselves in touch with the leading pack at the head of the league table with a 3-0 home win over second from bottom of the table Riseley Sports. Will Finch with a brace plus Owen Tuffin netting the goals. Whilst bottom of the table Renhold United Reserves were beaten 10-1 at home by Cranfield United. David Adderson and Phil Kempsell both netting four times alongside Liam Whitmee-Craig and James Armstrong against a lone United reply from Sajan Khinda.

Division Three

Stevington missed their chance to draw level on points at the head of division three with Meltis Albion when they were held to a 0-0 draw at Kempston Con Club Sports.

Third place Westoning were beaten 4-3 at home by fourth place Kempston Athletic for whom Mo Banda netted twice alongside Adam Moloney and Gary Whitbread to retain Athletic’s seasons unbeaten ways against home replies via Tom Cooksley, Nick Shirley plus an own goal.

Elsewhere, bottom of the table Clifton Reserves ended a run of nine consecutive defeats by sharing the spoils in a 2-2 home draw with Bedford Panthers. Gavin Ratford and Andy Harvey on the home scoresheet against replies from Craig Ford and Aaron Perrett.

Meantime having lost their last two home outings Elstow Abbey Reserves returned to winning ways with a 7-2 victory over Marston Shelton Rovers Reserves. Aiden Powell netting five times alongside single strikes from Steve Capener and Tom Beattie. Whilst Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves following three straight home defeats were 8-0 victors over AFC Bush. James Westwood with a hat-trick plus a brace from Joe Rowley being supported by single goals for Jordan Wells, Dan Jones and Malcolm Marimirola.

Bedfordshire FA Junior Cup Third Round

The top scoring game of the day came at Hillgrounds where AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves ran out 8-5 home winners over AFC Oakley Sports M&DH Reserves.Paul Garrett with a hat-trick and Jesse Sidhu with a brace being supported by single strikes from Ashley Phelan, John Shittu and Humbento Ybonazo for The Town against replies via a brace for both Jimmy Grandidge and Kieran Souter plus a single strike from Martin Danbrega.

Also winning by a three goal margin were Co-op Sports with a 3-0 home win over Clifton. Robbie Cusack, Luke Dolan and Tom Furr netting the vital goals. Whilst Potton Town with goals from James Day, Chris Cooper and Tom Pyman were 3-1 home winners over Meltis Albion Reserves for whom Daniel Taylor replied.

Meltis Albion first eleven also made their cup exit when beaten in a penalty shoot-out at home against Queens Park Crescents, after 90 minutes play had seen the sides deadlocked at 1-1. Alex Clipston on the home scoresheet against a reply from Ayaz Hussain.

Also into the next round are Great Barford who netted a 2-1 home win over Luton District & South Beds League side FU Four thanks to goals from Ben Stock and David Mulvhill.

However, it was the end of the road for Wilstead Reserves who had just a Jamie Daniels goal to show for their 2-1 defeat at Luton District & South Beds League FC Polonia and also going out to Luton District & South Beds League opposition were Wootton Village who despite a goal from Valiant Mudokwani were beaten 4-1 at FNE Rangers. Whilst Kempston Hammers Sports were beaten 3-1 at North Bucks League Southcott Village RA, David Gilbert netting the Hammers goal.

Division Four

FC Houghton’s lead at the head of the division four league table is now up to five points following their 4-2 victory at Moggerhanger United. Lawrence Taylor with a brace being joined on the scoresheet by Paul Taylor and Craig McCann against United replies via a Dean Hill penalty and George Tyrer.

The big Sandy derby was to fall the way of visitors with Sandy Reserves winning 5-3 at Mid Beds Tigers. Nicky Albone with a hat-trick plus goals from Scott Dora and Toren Purser bringing up the nap hand against Tigers replies via Jay Smith, Lee Crouch and Cameron Hall.

There were also away wins for Dinamo Flitwick and Atletico Europa. Dinamo with goals from Ed Hawkes, Mark Channing and Scott Hannam winning 3-1 at Cranfield United Reserves for whom Lewis Brook replied. Whilst Atletico with a likewise 3-1 victory sent Shefford Town & Campton A to their fifth consecutive defeat. Gary Townsend netting twice and Raiqwan Joseph once against a Town reply via Pete Saunders.

Elsewhere, Caldecote A ended a five game losing run with a 3-2 home victory over bottom of the table Flitwick Town Reserves who have now lost their own last five games. Ryan Ambrose, Ben Barker and Liam Brady Peel on the home scoresheet against Town replies from Kevin Higby and Mark Bartlett.

Meantime, Bedford Park Rangers three game winning run was halted after they shared the spoils in a 1-1 home draw with Clapham Sports. Ben Howard netting for the Rangers and Sanjeev Singh for the Sportsmen.