It’s County Cup success for the league strugglers!

Bedford Sunday Leagie round-up

ESQUIRES continue to confound all their supporters and some opponents when the County Cup comes round.

Having lost all nine of their league games and propping up the Premier Division without a point, on Sunday they found hidden reserves to trounce a useful Dunstable Athletic side 4-0 in the second round of the Beds FA Sunday Cup.

The other two ties in this cup also went the way of the Bedford & District League with Oakley travelling to Stoke Hammond and coming home with a tremendous 2-1 result.

Atletico Europa and Caldecote Young Boys unfortunately had to meet at this point in the competition and one had to go. It was a minor shock when the Boys beat Atletico 4-2 at Polhill Avenue but perhaps fingers crossed for a home tie against a Luton-based side for Caldecote next time.

Three of the six matches played in the Beds FA Sunday Junior Cup were won by teams from this league. 21st GNG Tigers maintained their fine form of late to beat Old Hastingsburians 4-1 while Wootton Wanderers did well to beat Houghton United 5-2 away from home.

Elsewhere Kempston Hammers put out Harrold and Carlton after beating their league rivals 6-3 but Renhold came unstuck at Silsoe Park Rangers, losing there by four goals to two.

Club Lewsey were too strong for Sharnbrook Casuals, beating the Division One leaders 4-3. The Casuals had not played a game for a month and their main striker was not available, but they gave it a good shot and fell just short.

Sharnbrook were 3-1 down at half time but came back in the second half to give Lewsey a fright with two more goals, but fell one short after Lewsey scored a fourth. Harry Atherton, Darren Wallinger and Daniel Kelly were the Casuals’ scorers.

Mowsbury Athletic were also playing with a handicap this week having to travel to St John’s with a patched up team. Andy Klein managed to open the scoring with a 20 yard screamer in the first half, but the second half took its toll with some aged limbs creaking and St. Johns sensing victory.

The Athletic back five stood firm and the man of the match was keeper Derrell Whitworth who pulled off a string of excellent saves. Mowsbury took the game to extra time, which was all they needed, but the score of 3-1 was a good effort.

The Sunday League took a battering in the Beds FA Lower Junior Cup. Six matches were lost to teams from the other leagues, one was postponed because of fog but four teams from this league advanced through to the next round. Oakley Reserves beat Colworth 2-1 and Meltis Rangers beat Luton Phoenix 3-1 after extra time in Luton.

Goldington Rangers from Division Four beat Third Division Bedford Panthers 5-2 which must be one of the eye-catching results of the day while M&DH Clapham beat Lilley Rangers 2-0.

It was a much better showing in the Beds FA Centenary Cup where all the matches except one went the way of Bedford League. Watling Youth U21s beat Chiltern Athletic 3-2, Westoning Gijon plundered eight goals against Round Green Tavern Reserves, and AF Mato beat Southcott Village 3-2.

Oakley Wanderers were the only local team to be beaten, the score at Houghton Park Rangers being 4-2. Brickhill Wanderers ‘A’ U21s hammered Sir William Peel 6-2 whilst the ‘B’ team were thrashed 5-0 by Sandy Titans. Luton Central U21s beat Shillington Reserves 6-3.

In the Premier Division, Meltis Mexicans took another giant stride towards the divisional title with a 4-1 thumping of Queensmen. Scott Alleyne started the scoring after beating two opponents and putting in a twenty yard shot.

Jason Simons doubled the lead in the second half by diverting the ball into the Queensmen’s net. Danny Hollis did reduce the arrears but Darek Jozwiak crossed for Alleyne to head in the Mexican’s third goal. The roles were reversed for the last goal when Alleyne passed to Jozwiak to slide the ball into the net.

London Road Supreme were always in the driving seat against Lawson Park Rangers, beating them 4-1. Supreme went one goal down as usual when Charlie Betts crossed for Mark Reed to score. Supreme were gifted an own goal and then took the game with goals from Natty Spencer, Michael Luke and Glen Tumulty.

In the First Division Newtown Rangers kept ahead of Bird in Hand, who are second from bottom, with a 4-2 victory. Eagle Heating warmed themselves up with an 11-0 result away to Sharks in Division Two while Cranfield Sunday beat a faltering Caldecote Young Boys Reserves 5-2.

Gardeners Arms Biggleswade have turned the corner after a slow start to their season, this week getting a 1-0 win at home to Old Boys in Division Three.

Santaniello’s in Division Four have also overcome their recent sticky patch by winning again, this week against Bellini’s 6-1.

There were a few goals in Division Four where Bedford Old Boys beat Alfa Oakley 5-3. Alfa’s goals came from Marco Catrambone, with two, and Daniel Lumpton. Meanwhile Blackbirds savaged Salento 8-1.

The only league game in the Under-21s Division resulted in a 2-0 win for Barton Rovers over Luton Central. This was a tight, even game in the first half with no goals being scored.

Bryn Reynolds broke the deadlock for Barton and five minutes from time he got his second from the penalty spot. The Luton keeper was excellent, but the man of the match for Barton was skipper Danny Pratt.

This coming Sunday there is a full league programme, but the postponed County Cup game involving Shillington Pirates and BMC United will also be played.

Clive Milton

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