Beds County League preview

The top action this weekend brings about the semi-final ties in this seasons Britannia,Centenary and Jubilee Cup plus the quarter-final ties in the Watson Shield.

In The Britannia Cup, holders Shefford Town & Campton host Woburn at Rectory Road for the second consecutive weekend and having now completed the league double over The Safari Boys it will be a major shock if they don’t once again progress into the final.Whilst the second game sees Oakley Sports entertain AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College at their Oakley Playing Fields headquarters, the hosts having already achieved a league double over The Town perhaps the firm favourites to progress. Please note this game will kick off at 1pm.

In The Centenary Cup, at Bedford Road Recreation Ground, Sandy play hosts to Marston Shelton Rovers and with their league encounter at the same venue back in late January finishing in a 1-1 stalemate another close affair looks on the cards. The second tie comes at King George VI Playing Fields where Kings AFC play hosts to Ickwell & Old Warden. The visitors having already recorded 5-0 and 6-1 wins over their hosts in the league the firm favourities to progress to the final.

In The Jubilee Cup, at The Warren, Elstow Abbey play hosts to a Pavenham side that are currently unbeaten in their last nine outings and might just cause the upset of the day. Whilst AFC Turvey still unbeaten on the road this season journey to Stockwood Park to face Sundon Park Rangers who like Pavenham are quite capable of causing an upset.

In The Watson Shield its quarter-final day.The tie of the round looks to be the Mowsbury Park encounter between hosts Goldington and the visiting Renhold Village, their league meeting at the same venue ending all square back in late-November to suggest it might require more than 90 minutes before the semi-finalists become known.

Also in Mowsbury Park and looking for a spot of giant killing are division four Bedford Park Rangers who take on division three visitors Potton Town, a comment that also applies at The Bedford Hockey Centre where division four Bedford Panthers will acheive an even bigger shock should they lower the colours of high flying division three visitors Cranfield United Reserves.

With the final tie coming at Stevington Playing Fields where hosts Stevington will be looking to seek revenge for a league defeat at the hands of the visiting Sundon Park Rangers Colts just a month ago.However, that defeat was on The Colts own patch thus this tie like the other three could go either way.

A result of these cup ties means the Premier Division supported by Sportsform action is restricted to just a single game, this being an all important relegation battle at Steppingly Road between Flitwick Town now on a three game losing home run and the visiting Dunton who hit the road losers of their last four away games.

In Division One, the league programme is one of just three games.At Hurst Grove, Lidlington United Sports defend their seasons home unbeaten ways against the still to be beaten on the road Bedford Sports Athletic as both clubs strive for another three three points in their quest for the league crown.

Whilst over at Miller Road, Meltis Albion will be in search of their opening home win of the season when visited by a Caldecote Reserves outfit whose only away win of the campaign came at Westoning on the opening day of the season. Elsewhere at Chaul End Lane, hosts Luton Boys go in search of home win number four on the bounce against the visiting Lea Sports PSG who travel now unbeaten in their last seven trips on the road.

In Division Two, the league programme consists of just two games. At Shuttleworth College, Marabese Ceramics host the travelling Stopsley Park and at Oakley Playing Fields with a 3.30pm kick off, M & DH Oakley receive a visit from a Shefford Town & Campton Reserves side looking for away win number four on the bounce.

Likewise in Division Three its just a two game programme. At Horseshoes Close, Dunton Reserves look for only their second home win of the season when called upon by a Westoning Reserves side that are now unbeaten in their last two away trips.Yet the game of the day takes place at Weston Park, the venue at which hosts Eastcotts AFC now on a three game winning home run entertain fellow promotion candidates Riseley Sports.

In Division Four, the scheduled programme is of four games. At Keysoe Road, Thurleigh now unbeaten in their last six home league encounters receive a visit from fellow promotion hopefuls Stewartby Village.Whilst at Hinksley Recreation Ground, Dinamo Flitwick will have to be at their very best if they are to collect the full three points from the visiting Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves.

Meanwhile over in Hillgrounds, Kempston Athletic with just one home win from their last eight outings play hosts to fellow strugglers Goldington Hammers and subject to a suitable venue being found, Sandy Reserves will be playing hosts to the still unbeaten on the road and championship contenders Marsh Leys.