Renhold close in on Bedfordshire League title

Renhold United are 13 points clear at the head of the Premier Division supported by Sportsform and within the maximum of nine points away from their first ever title after coming from behind to beat lowly Caldecote 2-1.
Ickwell v Eastcotts PNL-150325-102757002Ickwell v Eastcotts PNL-150325-102757002
Ickwell v Eastcotts PNL-150325-102757002

It was the visitors via Connor Smith who took the lead before Jason Allison levelled matters to see half-time arrive with a 1-1 scoreline. The winning United goal arrived some 48 minutes later in time added on via Dean Warren.

Meantime second place Flitwick Town saw their six game unbeaten home run ended when beaten 2-1 by Sandy. Andy Barker shot the visitors ahead in the opening half only to see Ritchie Bevan level matters early in the second period before, with 15 minutes to play, Jonnie Stratford struck home the Sandy winner.

There was also home heartache for third place Shefford Town & Campton who have now lost their last five home outings after being beaten 8-3 by Wilstead. Kevin Butler led the way with a hat-trick supported by braces from Paul Jones and Adam Budek plus a single strike from Colin Marshall against home replies from George Kiely twice and Michael Jones once.

Fourth place AFC Oakley M&DH were also to suffer defeat at home when beaten 1-0 by AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College who were winning for the fourth time on the bounce to take their unbeaten ways up to six games. The all important goal went down on the scoresheet as an own goal deflected in from a Josh Sturniolo shot.

Also enjoying life on the road were both Marston Shelton Rovers and Eastcotts AFC, Rovers taking their unbeaten ways up to seven games with a 3-1 victory at Sharnbrook thanks to strikes from Harry Murray, Jamie Cerminara and Jim Burraway against a lone home reply via Jim Burnside. Whilst Eastcotts AFC ran out 2-1 winners at bottom of the table Ickwell & Old Warden. Adam Tully and Travis Joseph seeing their goals only replied to once by Dean Hamilton.

For Pavenham it was the gift of three points after Wootton Blue Cross failed to raise a side to meet them at their Playing Field headquarters.

Division One supported by Wests Citroen Bedford

Elstow Abbey remain on top of the Division One supported by Wests Citroen Bedford league table after they netted a 2-1 win at Queens Park Crescents, Tony Milioti shooting them in front on 20 minutes before Daniel Rasol evened things out nine minutes before the break until Dom Parrella hit Abbey’s winner nine minutes from time.

Whilst second place Cranfield United having played three games less remain just the three points adrift after they took their winning ways up to 12 games with a 6-1 victory at AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves. Jordan Appleton and Martin Holland both netting twice alongside single strikes from Jake Brown and Luke Kelly against a lone Town reply from Grovanni Moscaritolo.

With third place Henlow sitting the afternoon out, Great Barford who have played two games fewer took full advantage to move to within seven points by winning 2-0 at bottom side Marabese Ceramics. Michael Pickard and Gary Canzano goals took their side’s unbeaten away ways up to eight games.

Whilst now in fifth spot are Sundon Park Rangers who jumped above both Riseley Sports and Meltis Albion by winning 3-1 at second from bottom of the table AFC Harlington thanks to goals from Matthew Conway, Nash Bennett and Lawrence Mapp against a lone reply from Joe Rogers.

The main reason for the elevation of the Rangers in the standings was down to the fact at Miller Road, hosts Meltis Albion now without a win in their last five outings and visitors Riseley Sports now unbeaten in their last four away starts were playing out a 1-1 draw. Jamie Simmons netted for the visitors 12 minutes into the game which was cancelled out by a home goal from Alex Kameran 10 minutes later.

For AFC Oakley M&DH Reserves it was a return to winning ways for the first time in 10 outings with a 2-0 home victory over Potton Town who themselves have now not won for seven games. John Hislop and Ashley Phelan netting the goals to do the damage.

Now without a win in their last eight starts are Bedford SA who were beaten 1-0 at home by Shefford Town & Campton Reserves for whom Phil Bright netted.

Division Two

There is no change at the head of the Division Two table following wins for the top two clubs.

However league leaders Stevington had to fight all the way to retain their unbeaten home ways in seeing off Wootton Village 2-1 to make it 15 wins on the bounce. Jacob Bassett fired the Village in front after 25 minutes and it took until the last kick of the opening half for the home side to level via Aaran Hewitt. Then with 10 minutes to play Nicky Burraway missed his first ever spot kick which could have put the Village back in front and then paid the ultimate penalty when Hewitt shot home the leaders’ winner just two minutes later.

Meantime second place Westoning were having a much easier time in taking their winning ways up to 12 games and retaining their seasons unbeaten ways with a 7-1 win at second from bottom of the table Caldecote Reserves. Sean Cooksley and Ben Dashwood both netted twice alongside single strikes from Cody O’Neill, Thomas Cooksley and Glen Cooksley against a lone home reply via Hugh Jackson.

Elsewhere, FC Houghton’s title hopes took a knock when their seven game winning away run was ended by only drawing 1-1 at Marston Shelton Rovers Reserves. Valiant Mudokwani netting for the Rovers and Paul Taylor on the scoresheet for the visitors. Whilst third place Clapham Sports were held to a 5-5 draw at bottom of the table Wilstead Reserves. Luke Pursey twice plus Ryan Davenport, Cullam Evans and Rob Booth netting for the home side against replies via Joni Umney, Sam Maddix, Grant Williams, Neil Larman and Antony Farr.

Returning to winning ways for the first time in nine outings were Bedford United who ran out 6-2 home winners over Meltis Albion Reserves. Tom Wade netted four times alongside single strikes from Aaron Perrett and Jamael Dixon against Albion replies via Antony Ursell and Josh St Clair Pierre. Whilst for third from bottom of the table Renhold United Reserves it was a 3-2 away win at Moggerhanger United thanks to goals from Michael France, Sunnie Chana and Libero Battazzato against home replies via Lee Adams and Paul Beith.

Also returning to winning ways were Kempston Hammers who netted their first win in four starts with a 3-0 home win over Elstow Abbey Reserves.Chris Greene netting twice and Nathan Evans once to do the damage.

Division Three

It’s all change again at the head of the Division Three league table.

Back onto the top of the table are Lea Sports PSG after they were gifted three points by Westoning U20 failing to raise a side to travel and meet them at Pirton Recreation Ground and now in second spot are Cranfield United Reserves who retained their seasons unbeaten home ways and made it eight home wins on the bounce when a lone goal from Adam Kerr took them to a 1-0 victory over FC Serbia.

Dropping off the top spot and now in third place are Flitwick Town Reserves whose eight game winning home run was ended by only drawing 0-0 with Shefford Town & Campton A. Nevertheless they still remain unbeaten on home soil this season.

Still very much in the promotion race are Atletico Europa who ran out 4-1 home winners over second from bottom of the table Caldecote U20. Kane Alexander netting twice alongside single strikes from Yasmin Demir and Matthew Tatham against a lone reply via James Whitmore.

The local bragging rights now belong to Sandy Reserves after they netted a 2-0 home win over bottom of the table Mid Beds Tigers thanks to goals from Chris Gregory and Carl Mercer.

Whilst Dinamo Flitwick returned to winning ways with a 4-0 home win over White Eagles. Dale Goldie, Charlie Battams, Ashley Bratt and Jamie Burton all hitting the back of the net.

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