Plenty to play for in midway point

MOST teams have played half their games already but none of the divisional titles are anywhere near a forgone conclusion as there will no doubt be a sting in the tail of the season especially with the certainty of inclement weather after Christmas causing havoc and accompanied difficulties.

Meltis Mexicans continue to knock down all before them in the Premier Division with Queensmen this week succumbing to a 6-3 defeat. It was a one man show in the first half with Callum Davenport scoring four goals, but Queensmen toiled away but were denied by some fine goalkeeping by Gerrard in the Mexicans’ goal.

Queensmen pulled two goals back in the second half but Steve Muggeridge eased the score out to 5-2. Queens got their third and in the last minute Scott Alleyne made it 6-3.

London Road Supreme have taken up the position of leaders of the chasing pack after beating Lawson Park Rangers 4-1. Supreme conceded the first goal from the penalty spot but came back before half-time with two goals, one from Michael Luke, and the other from Glen, to put London Road in the driving seat. Xennon and Glen scored two more in the second half.

London Road Supreme’s excellent form throughout this month has earned Colin Parker the Harrison & Rowley Manager of the Month award.

In the other games, Atletico Europa kept in the hunt with a 2-1 win at Haynes, whilst Oakley beat Constant & Co. 2-1 to fill in fourth place just behind Atletico. Esquires were in league action again after their adventure in the County Cup and got back to their old ways by losing, this time 6-3 at Caldecote Young Boys.

21st GNG Tigers have reached the heady heights of top spot in Division One beating Newtown Rangers 5-2, whilst Kempston Hammers put five into the Harrold & Carlton net. Dunton got a welcome 3-0 win at home to Old Hastingsburians.

Wootton Wanderers are top of Division Two after beating Bumble Bee Flitwick 4-2, a victory which has sealed the award of the League Manager of the month for November for Andy Watt.

Cranfield came down to a bump after some recent good displays, losing 3-1 at home to Eagle Heating and Marston Reds came out on top of their match at home to Caldecote Young Boys Reserves winning that one 5-3.

With M&DH Clapham without a game, Grafton Celtics took their chance to go top of Division Three beating Bedford Panthers 6-3. Mile Road Casuals dropped both points at Bedford Allsters but both teams will be in with a very good chance of promotion at the end of the season.

Gardeners Arms Biggleswade came unstuck at home to Flitwick Eagles by eight goals to two, but Wells Stars collected a valuable two points by winning only their second game 1-0 against Old Boys. Wells’ marksman for the day was Chris Askew.

Bottom club Bedford Albion found some form in Division Four beating Bedford Albion 6-0 and second from bottom Bird in Hand Lower Stondon won 3-2 against Oakley Reserves.

At the other end, Rose Biggleswade drew away from the pack at the top after beating Goldington Rangers 2-0 and Fox in Hounds Clapham defeated Santaniello’s 3-0 to take over in second place.

Division Five hasn’t changed much at the top. Leaders Westoning Gijon made it eight wins out of eight after beating Sir William Peel 2-0 and Bedford Old Boys beat Sandy Titans 3-1 to stay second. Blackbirds Flitwick beat Salento 3-2 and bottom club AFC Kempston got a welcome point off AF Mato in the other game.

Hitchin Town head the Under- 21s Division after their eighth win out of nine matches played. Brickhill Wanderers ‘B’ were beaten 3-1 by Hitchin, but Brickhill ‘A’ kept up their momentum in second place by beating Sacred Heart 5-4 at Leagrave Park.

Shefford Saints and Barton Rovers are glued together on twelve points from nine games, the Saints being beaten this week 4-2 by Barton. Bryn Reynolds scored Barton’s first goal in the first five minutes but Shefford equalised before half-time.

Charlie Colbourne scored for Barton and Bryn Reynolds netted twice more to complete his hat-trick to take the score on to 4-1. Saints pulled a goal back with ten minutes left but were not able to threaten Barton’s lead any more. Bryn Reynolds was adjudged man of the match for Barton. He has scored seven goals in three games now which is a good tally after being sidelined at the beginning of the season. Leighton Corinthians got the better of Watling Youth in the remaining game, the score being 4-3.

At least the high winds on Sunday morning ensured that the fog did not return to cause the postponement again of the Beds FA Lower Junior Cup tie between Shillington Pirates and BMC. Shillington strolled to a 6-0 win.

This Sunday there is another full league programme.

Clive Milton