Cup holders crash out in first round

Daniel Bond opened the scoring for the Rangers on his debut but Sheldon Washington equalised while a thumping header from David Powell was enough to win the game.

Last year’s losing finalists, Meltis Mexicans, are through to the next round after comprehensively beating Atletico Europa 6-2. Meltis were comfortable’throughout rushing into a 4-2 lead by half time with goals from Jozwiak (two), Davenport and Ingerson. Davenport scored his second after the break and Cook netted the other.

Caldecote Young Boys were the biggest scorers, defeating First Division side Bird in Hand 10-0. And it rained more goals at the Meltis Sports ground with Esquires beating London Road Supreme by the odd goal in 11!

The Sharnbrook Casuals versus Queensmen game caught the eye, resulting in the Premier visitors shading it 2-1. Paul Liscio settled any nerves when he opened the scoring for Queens after 30 seconds while Danny Hollis made it two on the half hour.

With 20 minutes left, a mistake at the back saw Sharnbrook get back into the game and Queens survived one or two scares managing to hold out to move into the next round.

Dunton Sunday beat Stewartby 4-0 whilst Harrold & Carlton versus Haynes was the only game taken into extra time, Harrold winning that one 4-3.

Fellow ground-sharers, Kempston Hammers and Old Hastingsburians produced a tight looking game the spoils going to the Hammers 3-2. Oakley were too good for New Inn Biggleswade, winning 3-1 at Stratton Way.

Wootton Wanderers dropped out of the Brian Craddock Jubilee Cup after a resounding defeat at home to Bumble Bee Flitwick.

M&DH Clapham won their tight game 1-0 against Meltis Rangers and Bedford Allsters cracked seven against Mowsbury Athletic to secure their place in the next round. Houghton Conquest had a narrow victory, scoring the only goal of the game against Sharks.

Old Boys beat Cranfield 4-2 which was the Boys’ first win this season and it came after defeating Cranfield from the division above. Old Boys went behind early on but a Nick Scott free kick was headed in by Peter Duffy for 1-1 before half time. In the second half, Duffy scored again with another header this time from a Michael Fry corner.

Fry then set up Ian Perkins to score number three for the Boys, and then Gareth Llewelyn tapped home on his debut for 4-1 while Cranfield pulled one back late in the game.

Mile Road Casuals kept up their good form to trounce Wells Stars 5-2. Chris Askew scored both Wells’ goals. Bedford Panthers also scored five, this time against Grafton Celtics who could only field ten men in the first half. Celtics scored an own goal for the first after a cross was whipped across the box, an unlucky touch made by a defender who was running back. Gary Philips made it two for the Panthers with Owen Ward then producing a stunning shot into the Celtic net from a cross just before half time.

The second half saw Celtic getting more into the game, but goals from Tom Wade and Guiseppe Graziano (the last one another stunning volley), settled the game. Sean Malone scored a consolation goal for Grafton direct from a corner.

Flitwick Eagles beat Dunton Reserves 2-0 to round up the results in this cup.

In the M&DH Insurance Cup the two cracking looking games were Westoning Gijon versus Goldington Rangers and Oakley Reserves against Fox & Hounds Clapham. There was little to separate the teams but the results went to Westoning 4-2 and Fox & Hounds 3-2.

Shillington Pirates eased through after beating Bedford Cupids 4-2 as did AFC Kempston & BC with a 4-1 win at home to Bird in Hand Lower Stondon.

Bedford Old Boys came out on top against Alfa Oakley after an interesting 5-4 scoreline while Salento are still struggling to get a victory as they went down 3-2 against Sandy Titans.

BMC had a good 6-2 win over Bedford Albion while Sir William Peel continuing to score in a 6-1 defeat of Bellini’s. The Peelers went 5-0 up before Bellini’s pulled one back. Midfielder Rob Kelly was adjudged man of the match for Sir William Peel while their goals cameg from Jesse Moyo and Connor Green with two apiece, Tom Smith and Alex Bailey getting the others.

AF Mato came good by beating Blackbirds Flitwick 3-1.

In the Under-21s Division, Brickhill Wanderers ‘A’ came up against Barton Rovers and in a tough encounter managed a 4-2 win to retain top spot.

Kempston Eagles took on Watling Youth at Russell Park but slipped back into their nightmare from their first game of the season, seriously leaking lots of goals, 14 in effect so Watling have now won their first points of the season.

Leighton Corinthian Seniors had a welcome 3-1 win against Luton Central whilst Sacred Heart faced Hitchin Town at Leagrave Park and found Town too strong with a 2-0 final score.

Shefford Saints were at home to Brickhill Wanderers ‘B’ and comfortably beat the visitors 5-0.

This season, with the addition of the Under-21 Division, the Sunday League have introduced a second ‘Manager of the Month’ award, so there will be a senior award for the Premier, First, Second and third Divisions, and a junior award for Divisions Four, Five and the Under 21s.

The Britannia Harrison and Rowley Manager of the Month Awards for September go to Daniel Downing of Meltis Mexicans, and James Petty of Brickhill Wanderers ‘A’.

This Sunday it’s s County Cup day so no league matches have been scheduled. All Divisions will play their cup games in the morning with 10.30am kick-offs.

Clive Milton