Clifton into Watson Cup semis after crushing local neighbours

There are new leaders of The Bedfordshire League in the shape of Oakley Sports M&DH following their 2-1 home victory over Renhold United and Caldecote’s home defeat against Wilshamstead.

Trailing to an early strike from United’s Jason Allison, the Sportsmen were level via Shaun Barnett by half-time and extending their unbeaten ways up to seven games with a second-half winner from Dan Kelly.

Meantime, Caldecote’s unbeaten league home ways for the season were blown away when beaten 3-1 by Wilshamstead. Ahead via a goal from Barry Dellar, Caldecote found themselves trailing 2-1 at the break following strikes from Dylan Schimper and Paul Jones and their fate sealed when Jones added to the scoreline in the second period.

It leaves Oakley Sports top of the Premier Division supported by Sportsform. For third spot Arlesey Town Reserves it was a 4-1 away win at second from bottom of the table Sharnbrook, Mark Philips with a brace plus strikes from Sam Welbury and Charlie Marshall only being replied to by James Comb. Just a point behind the Town in fourth slot are AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College who required a 65th minute goal from Joe Willie to win 1-0 at bottom of the table Bedford Sports Athletic.

However, the top scorers of the day were Ickwell & Old Warden, they enjoyed a 6-0 home win over Lidlington United Sports thanks to a hat-trick from Andrew Vallom to go alongside two goals from Lee Threadgold and a strike from Craig Schurek.

Elsewhere, Shefford Town & Campton made it four wins on the bounce to remain in fifth spot with a 3-1 home victory over Bedford Hatters. Simon Pixley shooting The Hatters ahead in the 33rd minute before the Town drew level four minutes into the second period via Chris Clark and won the day with goals from Andy Hayday 10 minutes later and Jordan Robbens right on the stroke of the final whistle.

Whilst returning to winning ways for the first time in six league outings were Flitwick Town with a 2-0 home win over AFC Biggleswade. Liam Keane and Martin Byrne netting the goals to do the damage.

Division One

Shillington’s lead at the head of the division one league table is now down to two points after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Caldecote Reserves.Both goals coming from the penalty spot, Neil Giles successful for the home side and Wayne Goldsmith for the visitors.

Just those two points behind and also have played a game less are Leighton United, for them it was game number eight unbeaten with a 2-0 home win over Shefford Town & Campton Reserves. Paul Darton and Daryl Smith netting the vital goals.

For third place Pavenham it was a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Elstow Abbey, Dave McCarthy shooting The Abbey ahead after six minutes before Tom Ellis squared matters seven minutes later and that’s the way it remained until Travis Joseph took the Abbey back in front in the 52nd minute, but once again Pavenham drew level in the 70th minute via James Owen only to lose the game 3-2 after Joseph netted the winner from the penalty spot four minutes later.

Following four straight home wins, Sandy failed to chalk up the nap hand when losing 3-1 to Henlow. George Ironton giving the visitors the lead in the 13th minute which was cancelled out by a Ian Hammett penalty six minutes from the break before strikes from man of the match Ironton and Russell Ayles in the closing 10 minutes won the points for the visitors.

Elsewhere, Luton Boys’ winning run of five games was brought to an end when they were held to a 2-2 draw at second from bottom of the table Kings AFC. Luke Gardener and Ollie Plested on the home scoresheet against replies from Jason Blake and Lawrence Kitson.

Division Two

Sundon Park Rangers lead at the top of the division two league table remains at a single point following their 5-1 away win at Potton United Reserves. Matt Conway with a hat-trick and Luke Evans with a brace taking the Rangers to their fourth win on the bounce against a lone United reply from Nick Collis.

For second place Goldington, it was a 3-1 home victory over Woburn Athletic. Antony Plaiter, James Morris and Kevin Evans were on the scoresheet against a lone Safari Boys reply via Ben Nicholls.

Still in third spot and trailing the leaders by just four points but with two games in hand are Marabese Ceramics, for them it was a 1-0 win at Westoning who were losing on home soil for the first time this season. Arin Fehmi netting the lone goal to extend the Tilermen’s winning away ways to four games.

Elsewhere, fourth place Cranfield United Reserves retained their season’s unbeaten home ways when sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw with sixth place Bromham United to keep both sides very much in the promotion mix. Lewis Tompkins netting for the home side against a reply from Paul Hubbard.

Also in that promotion mix are Eastcotts AFC, for them it was a 3-0 home win over Meltis Albion. Liam Parker netting twice and Michael Sexton once to take their unbeaten ways up to eight games.

Lying just outside the promotion race in seventh spot are St Joseph Reserves, for them it was a 5-0 home win over Oakley Sports M&DH Reserves. Josh Langlais with a hat-trick being joined on the scoresheet by Dan and Dave McLeod.

Whilst Queens Park Crescents are now unbeaten in their last five league outings after netting a 3-1 home win over Stopsley Park. Shan Rahman with a brace plus a goal from Ayaz Hussain only being replied to by Park’s Jonathan McCausland.

Division Three

There were dropped points for both of the leading two clubs, current league leaders Potton Town having their five game winning run ended when held to a 3-3 home draw by Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves. Jamie Hutchinson, Charlie Seward and Chris Cooper for The Town having their goals cancelled out by a brace from Daniel Whitten and a strike from Gavin Stackman. Whilst second place Riseley Sports were held by the same scoreline at bottom of the table Bedford Park Rangers.Tony Anynwn twice and Laurence James once on The Rangers scoresheet against replies from Paul Brown, Sylvester Mulenga and John Jeffery.

All of which was good news for third place Great Barford who chalked up win number five on the bounce with a 3-2 victory at second from bottom of the table Royal Oak Kempston, Josh St Clair Pierre with a brace plus an own goal outscoring home strikes from Sean Boland and Andrew Pallombella.

Elsewhere, Dunton and Westoning Reserves shared the points in a 0-0 draw at Horseshoe Close.

Division Four

Bedford Panthers lead at the head of the Division Four league table is now down to five points after they were held to a 3-3 draw at fourth place Kempston Athletic. Adam Moloney, Gavin Matthews and Gary Whitbread on the home scoresheet against Panthers replies via Aaron Perrett twice and Tom Wade.

Cutting that gap were Elstow Abbey Reserves who retained their season’s 100% home league record with a 3-2 victory over Sandy Reserves. Aiden Powell netting twice and Sean Hendry once against replies via Jonnie Stratford and Peter Rogan.

For third place Marston Shelton Rovers, it was home win number six on the bounce with a 5-1 victory over Dunton Reserves. Dan Parkes with a hat-trick plus goals from Ben Greenwood and Harry Murray only being replied to once by Alex Wiltshire.

Whilst bottom of the table Wootton Village are now eight games without a win after being defeated 3-2 at home by Caldecote A. Andrew Spiers with a brace plus Ryan Ambrose on the Caldecote scoresheet against home replies from Ivan Anderson and Jayden Johnson.

Watson Shield Quarter-Finals

The biggest win of the day went to Clifton with a 5-0 home win over Shefford Town & Campton A. Tony Norman, Greg King, Barry Hallybone, Daniel Bean and James Fuller all finding the back of the net to earn their side a trip to Stevington at the last four stage after they won 3-0 at home against Wilshamstead Reserves. Luke Cronin, Jordan McMullan and Daniel Seamarks netting the vital goals.

For Renhold United Reserves it was a 4-1 away win at Kempston Hammers Sports. Delroy Phillips with a brace plus goals from Justin Newman and Justin Patterson only replied to once by Hammers Nick Tysoe.

United will now enjoy home advantage at the semi-final stage against Kempston Con Club Sports who had to come from behind to earn a 2-1 home win over Dinamo Flitwick. Michael Bruce-Kirkland giving the visitors the lead before goals from a James Coates header and a Ryan Collis penalty won the day for the home side.