New Inn and Young Boys reach semi-finals

In the Beds FA Sunday Junior Cup, New Inn Biggleswade romped to a 5-1 away win against Houghton United. It was quite a tight affair for the first half and hour, but then there was a splendid team move by the Inn-mates involving Paul Standen, David Sells and Dave Daniels which resulted in the setting up of Luke Gurney to open the scoring.

New Inn were in dominant form for the rest of the half but there were no further goals before the break. Barry Sells scored number two in the second half when he latched onto a through ball from Standen, but Houghton hit back to make it 2-1.

But after a period of re-grouping, the Inn eased further ahead when Daniels and Ben Gibson joined hands to load Barry Sells’ gun to fire in his second goal. It was all over as a contest when David Sells scored the goal of the game which involved him weaving his magic from his own half to eventually round the home keeper for number four. Daniels made it 5-1 when Mark Franklin took a quick free kick which was volleyed home with aplomb.

Kempston Sunday bowed out of the competition when they were beaten 4-3 at FC Houghton after a very good campaign.

It was two out of two in the Beds FA Lower Junior Cup when both Grafton Celtics and Caldecote Young Boys won their matches to progress into the semi-finals. Grafton Celtics beat St Martins in Luton 3-1 with a great performance which got off to a rocky start but all came good in the end. Caldecote played host to Round Green Tavern Luton and sent them packing after another 3-1 result.

Santaniello’s travelled to Houghton Regis in the Beds FA Centenary Cup and took Elm Park Houghton to extra time, but Elm Park ran out the winners 7-4 to leave Santaniello’s to concentrate on improving their league position.

In one of the other quarter-finals, AC Atletico have yet to play their game against Shillington Pirates, but another semi-finalist from this league is certain.

In the Premier Division Atletico Europa got back on track for the title with a 3-0 win over Esquires. Oakley are still winning their games, this week beating Caldecote Young Boys 4-3, looking worth a flutter for the top divisional honour.

Queensmen are still not on full throttle, this week leaking a point to Haynes. Lawson Park Rangers had a day off after their game at Dunton Sunday was postponed.

No great surprises in Division One. Constant & Co hit London Road Supreme Reserves for eight, whilst Meltis Mexicans managed to win against Kempston Hammers, but not after they had received a set-back early on.

The Hammers scored after 15 minutes, but Daniel Defeo equalised only two minutes later from close range after some good work by Richard Cook. Damo Hazelwood made it 2-1 with an overhead kick, and the Hammers keeper was very busy but kept his side in the game until half-time.

Defeo made it 3-1 when he headed in and Sundeep Gill made his contribution, tapping home from all of two yards to settle the game at 4-1.

Sharnbrook Casuals kept themselves in the hunt at the top after a 4-1 victory against struggling Newtown Rangers. Bird in Hand enjoyed their first win of 2011 when they eased past Stewartby 5-1.

The first goal by Stewartby focused the minds of Bird who quickly came back with an equaliser before half-time, new skipper Simon Jakes driving his team on resulting in Dave Carroll lashing in the goal for Bird in Hand. David Kane replicated the ‘Gazza’ goal with a flick in the air and a cool drive to notch number two for Bird, and then Tom Dymond scored from the penalty spot.

The Stewartby keeper helped Kane score number four, and with Ant Eastmond’s first appearance for the club goal number five arrived.

Meanwhile Old Hastingsburians beat 21st Century 4-1.

The Second Division boasted only four games. Drager United had a good day scoring six against Ship Inn Bedford to help their problems in the lower reaches of the division.

Harrold & Carlton got both points at Marston Reds, thanks to Colm Lawlor who ran from his own half with the ball and delivered a thunderbolt into the back of Marston’s net which was the only goal of the game.

Wootton Wanderers had a welcome win at Sharks, and Cranfield and Crown Flitwick shared the points at Cranfield.

Division Three is where it is all happening. Renhold have probably destroyed Mowsbury Athletic’s hopes of the title after Renhold’s 5-2 win over them. Man of the match and new signing Darren Taylor scored three for Renhold while Jason Thompson lobbed in another score with Nick Mistry getting the other.

Mowsbury were out of sorts from the start going 2-0 down in the first 30 minutes. Arran Wright scored for Mowsbury from the penalty spot and Jordan Wright got their other goal.

Old Boys are a real threat to the title contenders after their 7-2 away win at Black Tom Rangers. The Boys did not have it all their own way, Black Tom scoring the first and last goals in the game, but the Boys scored seven in between. Peter Duffy hit a hat-trick, and the other goals for the Old Boys came from Michael Kirby, Darren Watts, Adam Piper and Michael Fry.

Bedford Allsters also scored seven, with Dunton Reserves getting one back, but Allsters need to show more consistency if they want to be vying for a top position by the end of April.

Bumble Bee Flitwick are still in with a shout, this week beating Wells Stars 6-1 at Hinksley Road. Flitwick Eagles made it a good day for the town when they beat Salento 4-1.

Gardeners Arms Biggleswade are the favourites for the Fourth Division title after grabbing another two points off Bellini’s. Bedford Panthers and Moor Lane Meltis shared four goals and the points to take some pressure off Gardeners, but M&DH Clapham beat Embankment 3-1 one to maintain their interest.

Rose Biggleswade took on Bedford Albion at Stratton Way and came away with a solid victory, helped by two own goals in the first half. It was 4-0 by half-time and ended 6-1. Adam Dilley scored twice for Rose, with Zack Rowe and Michael Duff getting the others. Clayton Lawrence pulled one back for Albion.

BMC and Bird in Hand Lower Stondon ended their game without blemishing the score sheet, both clubs comfortable enough in midtable.

Division Five had the highest score of the day, GNG Tigers netting a ‘baker’s dozen’. Kempston Wanderers were the recipients of the avalanche of goals. Goldington Rangers did almost as well, scoring nine times at Sir William Peel, and Bedford Cupids kept up their winning ways with a good 4-1 against Sandy Badgers.

There is a full league programme on Sunday. Clive Milton