It’s still to close to call at the top

Rangers beat Queensmen 2-1 at Lawrence Park on Sunday whilst Oakley surely have put paid to Atletico’s title aspirations by beating them at Polhill College 3-0.

Charlie Betts opened the scoring for Lawson Park against Queensmen midway through the first half. Rangers had several chances to score more goals but these went begging, including an effort from Mark Reed which hit a post. There were only five minutes left in the game when Queensmen equalised, but Dean Bawden had time to clinch the two points for Lawson Park with a far post header.

Leaders Meltis Mexicans took a large stride in another three-horse in Division One by beating second placed Sharnbrook Casuals 3-1 to ease into a three point lead with two games to play. This was a massive win for Meltis and they started the game full of intent making all the early chances.

Scott Alleyne put Mexicans one up when he smashed the ball into the Casuals’ net, and then man of the match Damo Hazelwood floated in a pin-point free kick which Danny Defeo nodded into the net from six yards to make it 2-0. Shaun Bennett pulled a goal back for Sharnbrook but Hazelwood made the game safe when his deflected shot found the back of the net.

The Casuals remain second with Constant & Co breathing down their necks a point behind with a game in hand. Constant beat Bird in Hand 4-0 and look forward now to a cup semi-final next week against Dunton Sunday.

Stewartby recovered from last week’s defeat to beat Old Hastingsburians 3-2. London Road Supreme Reserves cannot be saved from the drop after losing 3-0 at Newtown Rangers.

There are a number of games still to be played in Division Two. Leaders Kempston Sunday cruised past Marston Reds, beating them 8-2. Ever mindful that in a tight contest for a title goal difference could be crucial, Kempston took the opportunity to stoke up their tally against a struggling Marston Reds side.

Kempston were two goals up in the first five minutes after Stacey Field had netted and Shaun Winconeck scored a penalty. Andy Latimer popped in number three but this was matched when Marston got one on the board. Winconeck scored his second of the game before half time and got his third in the second half. He then missed a penalty but Andy Latimer made it 6-1 and Jordan Jarrold scored twice in the last 15 minutes of the game.

Marston scored a penalty, which was a ‘dubious one’ according to Kempston but it’s in the result so it must have been right!

New Inn Biggleswade climbed up to second spot after beating Eagle Heating in St Neots. The Inn faced a strong Eagle side but goals from Barry Sells, Ben Stocker and a penalty from Paul Standen tipped the balance.

Harrold & Carlton had a great 3-1 win at home to Wootton Wanderers to claim third spot ahead of Eagle Heating. Any of the top five teams could win the title, but New Inn look menacing with more games in hand.

The bottom of the table is also quite close with Marston Reds favourites to go down with only one game left, but it will take something special for Ship Inn to muster more than one point per game to have half a chance of safety. Ship lost 4-0 at Cranfield this week.

Division Three leaders Renhold are winning their games at the moment but have only one left. This week Renhold beat Black Tom Rangers 5-1 at Bedford Park, and can only sit back and watch the clubs below with games in hand try to turn games into points to bridge the gap.

Old Boys and Caldecote YB Reserves could topple Renhold if they won all their games in hand. Old Boys and Caldecote won today, the Boys winning 4-2 at Flitwick Eagles, with Caldecote beating fellow title hopefuls Bumble Bee Flitwick 3-2. The Old Boys’ scorers were Darren Watts, Jimmy Fay, Richard Billington and Ian Perkins.

Dunton Reserves are making a break for survival in the division finally hauling themselves off the bottom with a 2-2 draw against Salento. Marco Catrambone scored both Salento goals, one from the penalty spot and the other with a well placed header.

The battle for the title in Division Four appears to be between leaders Gardeners Arms Biggleswade, who did not play this week, and Moor Lane Meltis who beat rivals M & DH Clapham Sunday 3-0. Bedford Panthers are still in the mix in fourth place after getting two points off Bird in Hand Lower Stondon.

Bellini’s are in peril at the bottom, needing to win their last game to have a chance of overtaking Bedford Albion, who beat them 2-1 this week.

Grafton Celtics came out on top in a good game against Rose Biggleswade. Grafton were well in control throughout with goals from Tom Redmond, Alan Cudjoe who got a couple, and a Danny Malone ‘wonder’ goal. Rose pulled two goals back but that was never going to be enough to get near the points.

The match of the day in Division Five was the clash between Santaniello’s and Shillington Pirates, the Pirates still smarting after their Cup exit last week at the hands of GNG Tigers. Santaniello’s won this game 3-1 to move up into second place behind Goldington Rangers who scored five of the nine goals on display in their game against Harrold & Carlton Reserves.

Bedford Cupids were the top scorers hitting nine against bottom club Kempston Wanderers. Sandy Badgers had a set back when they lost 3-2 to a struggling AC Atletico, the Badgers now in third, and GNG Tigers are just behind the Badgers after collecting six goals in their victory at Sir William Peel Sandy.

The two cup semi-finals in the Harrison & Rowley Cup take place next Sunday, plus a number of league games.

European Summer Time – previously British Summer Time – arrives this weekend so clocks will go forward one hour in the early hours of Sunday meaning that you will have to get up earlier to get to a match on time!

Clive Milton