Centenary Cup joy for Pirates

SHILLINGTON Pirates faced Phoenix from Leighton Buzzard in the final of the Bedfordshire FA Centenary Cup on Sunday at Kempston’s Hillgrounds where they ran out 1-0 winners.

And Second Division Kempston Sunday beat Mowsbury Athletic from Division Three 1-0 in the final of the Brian Craddock Jubilee Cup at Hillgrounds on Friday. Kempston’s 17th minute winner was scored from 12 yards out by Marc Umney after Richard Howlett’s monster throw-in was headed away off the Mowsbury goalline.

As a result of midweek matches, Caldecote Young Boys Reserves have leapt above long time leaders Renhold to become the top team in Division Three. Caldecote beat Wells Star 9-3 and cannot now be headed now as Renhold have completed their matche while Cally have three left to play.

The contest Division Five has been made more dramatic due to GNG Tigers’ 4-4 draw with Shillington Pirates. The Pirates would have taken the title if they had been able to win all three of their remaining matches, but this dropped point makes everything now much tighter with GNG, Shillington and current leaders Goldington Rangers all capable of winning the race.

Santaniello’s have an outside chance of being in the mix but are only vying for the minor places at the top.

Lawson Park Rangers were made to fight for the Premier Division title when they visited bottom club Dunton on Sunday. Needing a point to snatch the title from Oakley, the Rangers squeezed out a 1-1 draw to lift the trophy. Having completed a County Cup and league double, Lawson Park can be well satisfied with their successful season.

Constant & Co have hit the top of Division One after thrashing Old Hastingsburians 8-2 in their last game of the season. Meltis Mexicans could overtake Constant if they get a point from Old Hastingsburians next Sunday. The bets are on for Meltis to complete the job.

The top three in Division Two all won their games to leave it ‘as you were’ at the top. New Inn Biggleswade beat Wootton Wanderers 4-1. The Inn cruised through the game with Barry Sells scoring twice, brother David getting one and Aiden Jones scoring the other goal. Ben Gibson and Ben Barker bossed the midfield for New Inn.

Kempston Sunday went to Drager United and won 4-2 while Harrold & Carlton won 5-2 against Eagle Heating.

Harrold & Carlton’s game was full of incident with Eagles’ defence leaking two goals in the first six minutes. Eagle then gained control but could not reduce the deficit. Instead they went further behind after a reportedly dubious penalty for 3-0 at half time.

Eagle skipper Beever pulled one back early in the new half and again they dominated the game for a period, but Harrold then played on the Eagle defensive weakness of being unable to deal with high balls into the box and the score moved up to four and then 5-1. The final goal was scored by Mark Davies who threaded a fine free kick into the Harrold & Carlton’s net.

Winners of the Division Three title, Caldecote Young Boys Reserves, really rubbed it in to the rest when they got their 16th league win with a 6-1 demolition of Dunton Sunday Reserves. Renhold will take the runners-up spot after having completed their programme because Bumble Bee Flitwick could only draw 3-3 with Bedford Allsters.

Old Boys are currently fourth but may drop down if Mowsbury Athletic finish their good season with two wins. Old Boys beat Salento 1-0 thanks to Steve Wilkins making a rare appearance and scoring the winner.

Mowsbury Athletic put aside their cup final disappointment and took it out on Flitwick Eagles, roasting them with a 6-2 scoreline.

With Gardeners Arms Biggleswade the Fourth Division champions, the fight is on between Moor Lane Meltis and Bedford Panthers realistically for the runners-up spot. Both had difficult games against Rose Biggleswade and Clapham Sunday respectively and with draws in both, neither team in contention has gained any advantage.

Moor Lane and Bedford Panthers have one game left to play. The Panthers play Grafton Celtics on Tuesday and Moor Lane Meltis also play Celtics on Sunday to decide the runners-up position.

If Grafton Celtics win both games they will be runners-up instead, helped massively by Celtics’ 10-2 win against Embankment on Sunday.

Santaniello’s have moved into second place in Division Five after beating AC Atletico 3-1 at Bedford Park. Santaniello’s moved into a two goal lead by half time in a lively match showing some good football. A

It’s unlikely that Santaniello’s will win the division as they have an inferior goal difference to the other contenders, and they have to play GNG Tigers on Sunday who can win the title if the result between Shillington Pirates and Goldington Rangers (also on Sunday), goes their way.

There were seven midweek games on Tuesday (see page 95) and the Sunday programme will possibly decide three divisional titles. Clive Milton

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