PREVIEW: Beds County Football League

Whilst at Hillgrounds, second place AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College should maintain their seasons 100% winning ways when called upon by second from bottom of the table Pavenham.

Currently sitting third in the table are AFC Oakley Sports M&DH, for them it’s home action against an out of sorts Caldecote side where you would expect them to retain their unbeaten ways. Whilst at Greenfields, Shillington take on Ickwell & Old Warden in a match that perhaps could go either way.

Over at Jubilee Playing Fields, Wilstead will be hosting an in form Marston Shelton Rovers and just down the road at Rectory Road, Shefford Town & Campton will face no easy task collecting all three points when called upon by Flitwick Town.

The final top flight game taking place at Lodge Road where bottom of the table Sharnbrook receive a visit from near neighbours Renhold United.

In Division One, it’s trips on the road for the top two clubs. League leaders Eastcotts AFC heading for Chaul End Lane and a meeting with Luton Boys Seniors, whilst second place Goldington make tracks for Groveside to be hosted by Henlow.

With third place AFC Turvey sitting the afternoon out, Sandy will at the least be back in the top three should they collect all three points from their home Bedford Road Recreation Ground meeting with Shefford Town & Campton Reserves. Whilst in Stockwood Park, Sundon Park Rangers will be fully aware that visitors Brickhill Tigers are more than a match for anyone on the day.

Elsewhere at Harvey Close, bottom of the table Caldecote Reserves face no easy task to collect their first point/points of the season when visited by Elstow Abbey. Whilst perhaps Marabese Ceramics will feel more confident of achieving that same fate when at their Ickleford Recreation Ground headquarters they play hosts to Bromham United.

The final game in this section coming at Crawley Road where hosts Woburn Lions take on the visiting Bedford Sports Athletic.

or the majority of lower division sides the spotlight falls upon the opening round ties in this season’s Bedfordshire FA Junior Cup. Of course cup football is all about giant killing acts and the draw has given the opportunity to eight Bedfordshire County Football League sides to achieve a victory over a side from a higher division.

Of the eight, six have been given home ties, yet despite this on current league form the upsets may be far and few between. Perhaps the likeliest looking contenders will be division three Bedford Panthers who at their Hockey Centre base receive a visit from division two Kings AFC. Whilst there should be plenty of local interest in the Playing Fields local derby clash between Dvision Four hosts Moggerhanger United and the visiting Great Barford of Division Two.

Elsewhere, Division Three Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves will on The Green host AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College from Division Two and Kempston Con Club of the same division take on Division Two Riseley Sports at Hillgrounds, both feeling they could cause an upset with the home advantage.

A comment that perhaps also applies to Division Four Clapham Sports, who at King George VI Playing Fields receive a visit from Division Three side Kempston Athletic.

However, one does not expect Division Two Potton Town to slip up against Division Three Stevington at Mill Lane or indeed just down the road at The Hollow for Division Two Potton United Reserves to fail against Division Four visitors Mid Beds Tigers. Plus it will be a major surprise if Cranfield United of Division Two fail to win at Division Four Bedford Park Rangers.

There are also two all Division Three clashes, at Cutler Hammer hosts Kempston Hammers Sports meet Westoning where you would perhaps favour the visitors to come out on top. Whilst at Hillgrounds, AFC Bush host Marston Shelton Rovers Reserves.

Elsewhere three sides face opponents from the Luton District & South Beds League. At Whiston Crescent, Clifton take on Square Rangers whilst at their Playing Field headquarters, Renhold United Reserves will be hosting Luton Leagrave AFC B. Meantime, Dinamo Flitwick hit the road to take on North Sundon Wanderers.

There is also a trip on the road for Elstow Abbey Reserves, they journey to North Bucks league outfit Southcott Village RA and there are Aylesbury & District league opponents at Solway Way North for Co-Op Sports.

With all these cup ties taking place, its just a two game programme in Division Two. In Mowsbury Park, league leaders Queens Park Crescents will look for win number four on the bounce against AFC Harlington. Whilst AFC Oakley Sports M&DH Reserves also look to preserve their 100 % seasons record when they make tracks for The Luton Regional Sports Centre to take on Stopsley Park.

In Division Three, there is just a single game. When at Miller Road, league leaders Meltis Albion look to open up a six point lead at the head of the league table when they play hosts to Clifton Reserves.

Division Four action comes in shape of just four games. The game of the day coming at Moore Crescent where league leaders FC Houghton receive a visit from third place Sandy Reserves. Whilst, Wootton Village will look to climb back up the table when they hit the road for a meeting with Flitwick Town Reserves at Redborne School.

Other action coming at Crawley Road, where Cranfield United Reserves host Athletico Europa in a contest where both sides look for their opening win of the season and at Digswell Playing Fields, the venue of the battle between the league two A teams, hosts Shefford Town & Campton taking on Caldecote.