League leaders square up for derby clash

The Premier Division supported by Sportsform action this weekend is a programme of just five games. Shefford Town & Campton the league leaders hitting the road for a tricky looking game with Blunham, whilst second place Bedford Hatters head to Lodge Road to be hosted by Sharnbrook.

Any slip up by the leading two clubs could well see Caldecote lead the table at the end of week four should they as expected come up with the three points from their home Harvey Close encounter against AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College.

Or indeed that top spot could also be claimed by Oakley Sports, they will go into their Playing Fields clash with Flitwick Town firm favourites to retain their seasons 100% record and collect another three points.

The fifth and final game sees the current bottom two clubs clash at Crawley Road, Woburn the hosts taking on basement visitors Renhold United.

Division One league action is also a programme of just five games. With league leaders Lidlington United Sports away on cup duty, second place Ickwell & Warden have a chance to draw level with them on points, the requirement being they collect the full three points from their home local derby on The Green against Caldecote Reserves.

Elsewhere for third place Marston Shelton Rovers, its a trip on the road to King George VI Playing Fields to take on bottom of the table Kings AFC, whilst fourth spot Bedford Sports Athletic also hit the road to Groveside and a meeting with Henlow.

Having played out a 4-4 draw just two weeks ago, its Westoning turn this time to have home advantage against Sandy when they meet at Greenfield Road. Whilst Miller Road is the venue for the fifth and final league game in this division between hosts Meltis Albion and FC Meppershall.

For another quartet of Division One sides its action in Round One of this season’s Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Cup. Over at Hillgrounds, AFC Kempston Town and Bedford College Reserves will host Lidlington United Sports in an all Bedfordshire County Football League encounter.Whilst at Chaul End Lane, Luton Boys will have home advantage when Luton District & South Beds League Luton Leagrave come calling.

The quartet being made up by Lea Sports PSG who hit the road to Barton le-Clay Sports Field to take on another Luton & District and South Beds League outfit, St Josephs.

Action for the lower division sides this weekend centres upon the opening round ties in this season’s Bedfordshire FA Junior Cup. The programme includes 14 all Bedfordshire County League clashes, yet just eight of them present an opportunity for a spot of giant killing.

If there are going to be any shocks, then perhaps the best place to look is either at Keysoe Road where Division Four Thurleigh entertain Division Two Bromham United or at Steppingley Road where Division Three Flitwick Town Reserves are hosts to Division Four Clifton Reserves.

Others who will perhaps fancy their chances of a spot of giant-killing are Division Four Kempston Athletic whom play hosts to Division Two M & DH Oakley in Hillgrounds and Division Four Caldecote A whom journey to Cutler Hammer to take on Division Three Kempston Hammers Sports.

The tie of the round also presents an offering of an upset when renowned cup fighters Renhold Village of Division Three host last seasons beaten finalists Pavenham at their Renhold Playing Field headquarters.

Other sides facing opposition from a higher division are Westoning Reserves,they travel to Solway Way North to be hosted by Co-op Sports. Royal Oak Kempston who hit the road for a meeting with Great Barford and Wilshamstead Reserves who will be in home Jubilee Playing Field action against Marabese Ceramics.

Of the other six all Bedfordshire County League ties, there is just one all Division Two meeting,coming at Second Meadow where Clifton host Stopsley Park. Whilst the two all Division Three clashes, look set to go the way of the home sides. In Mowsbury Park, Goldington host Dinamo Flitwick and at Stockwood Park, Sundon Park Colts receive a visit from Stevington.

However, the three all Division Four ties are much harder to call, at Bedford Hockey Centre, Bedford Panthers will be at home against Shefford Town & Campton A; At Hinksley Road, Dinamo Flitwick Reserves host Sandy Reserves and Wootton Recreation Ground is the venue for the tie between Wootton Village and Bedford Park Rangers.

Six sides face games against opposition from The Luton District and South Beds League, just one having the luxury of a home tie, when at Horseshoes Close Dunton Reserves play hosts to Co-op Sports Reserves.

The other five all hitting the road to Luton, Cranfield Reserves to Caddington Reserves; Marsh Leys to Christians in Sports Reserves; Potton United Reserves to Four Model Reserves; Elstow Abbey to North Sundon Wanderers and Stewartby Village who journey for a meeting with The 61FC (Luton) A.

Concluding the day’s ties is the Rectory Road meeting between Shefford Town & Campton Reserves and FC Spandits from The Aylesbury & District League plus Sunderland Road is the venue for Potton Town’s home meeting with Church’s League Stopsley Baptist Church.