Shefford claim top spot as leaders lose

The Rectory Road outfit’s delight was obvious when the news of Wilshamstead’s demise at Oakley Sports came through even though the former table toppers started well enough as Neville Allen put them ahead. But an Oakley equaliser from Justin Patterson and an 88th minute Mark Smith penalty kick upset Wilstead’s afternoon.

Third placed Renhold United shared the spoils after a 3-3 draw at Dunton but it means they remain unbeaten on the road this season.

The opening 15 minutes saw goals from Paul Mercer and Joe Lewis put the hosts 2-0 up but strikes from Tommy Foyle, Alex Woolston and Ollie Housden saw United edge 3-2 ahead. Then with just five minutes remaining, Paul Beith squared it to leave Dunton unbeaten in their last four home games.

Over at Hillgrounds there was a welcomed 3-1 home win for bottom of the table AFC Kempston Town over Flitwick Town and that left the visitors without a win in their last six outings. Alec Russell, Roy Murnane and Elliot West were on target for the Town against a Dean Warren penalty in reply.

Following a run of four straight defeats, Sharnbrook returned to winning ways and lifted themselves out of the drop zone with a 1-0 away win at new second from bottom side Arlesey Town Reserves. Jamie Cross netted the only goal.

Elsewhere Caldecote maintained their interest in the championship race by winning 3-1 at Woburn. Adrian Mapletoft gave them a first half lead and that was doubled by Kai Griffiths-Shilton before the Safari Boys replied through James McCarthy for 2-1. But it was Danny McIver who netted a third for Caldecote to seal the points.

Division One

VICTORIES for the leading three clubs left the Division One table looking exactly as it had at the start of play. Leaders Potton Wanderers coming up with their sixth consecutive home win thanks to a 3-0 win over Meltis Albion. Sam Worthington, Craig Schurek and goalkeeper James Billington (from the penalty spot) ensured they remain three points clear of Marston Shelton Rovers who were 2-1 home winners over bottom of the table Luton Old Boys.

Rovers victory was only achieved thanks to a 90th minute winner from Gibran Pirbhai after home striker Shaun McFarland had seen his goal cancelled out by Simon Glass for an Old Boys side that, on this showing, looked anything but relegation material.

For third placed Bedford Hatters – who have games in hand on the leading two clubs it was a maintenance of their season’s 100 per cent home record. They beat Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves 3-1 with Simon Pixley the hero as he bagged all three.

The top scorers on the day were Bedford Sports Athletic. They netted a 7-3 home win over Henlow after Jonathan Woolfe was on target four times, Andrew Latimer twice and Ashley Mead once against replies from Pete Saunders, Steve Bennett and Steve Pateman.

Sandy are now unbeaten in their last eight outings following a 1-1 home draw with Blunham Reserves. Ian Hammett was on target for the hosts against a reply from Andrew Vallom.

Caldecote Reserves exchanged 11th and 12th places in the standings with AFC Kempston Town Reserves after beating them 2-1 at Harvey Close. Stuart Haddow and Joe Jordan found the net against a Town reply from Jamie Philips.

Division Two

CLIFTON’S Division Two lead is down to goal difference after they were beaten 5-3 at home by Queens Park Crescents. Rajan Nandha, Azar Nawaz, Nathan Larrier, Jahanjir Ahmed and Ayaz Hussain netted the Crescents’ goals against home replies from Tony Norman (two) and Dave Sargeant.

So Crescents are back into second spot above Arlesey Social Galacticos who were beaten 3-2 at home by Kings AFC thanks to a brace from Josh Clements and a strike from Chris Greene. It was their fourth away win on the bounce.

It wasn’t a good day at the office for Bromham United. They dropped off the pace in the promotion race when beaten 4-1 at home by Lidlington United Sports. Darren Sims (two), Kieran Wills and Alex Burrows did the damage against a home reply from Dean Waghorn.

Still very much in that promotion mix are Elstow Abbey who intend to enter a reserve team into the league next season. They claimed another three points with a 3-0 victory at Great Barford after Ed L’Erario put them ahead after 17 minutes before strikes from Ashley Windridge and Mark Nicholson in the closing 20 ensured there would be no way back.

Top scorers of the day in this division were Westoning Recreation Club. They hit six without reply against bottom of the table Kempston Hammers Sports. Ian Buckingham grabbed a hat-trick, Scott Gadsden two plus an own goal doing the damage.

Following six consecutive defeats, Shefford Town & Campton Reserves returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at Stevington. Sam Larsen and Luke Webb were on the scoresheet against a home reply from Clinton Tatham.

The fifth away winners of the day in this division were Stopsley Park. They claimed a 3-2 victory at Marabese Ceramics after James Smart netted a brace while Shane Roberts grabbed the other with Colin Stanley and James Tizard grabbing the replies.

Division Three

ACTION in Division Three saw wins for the top six teams. Leaders Pavenham maintained their season 100 per cent away record to remain four points clear with a 5-0 win at Shefford Town & Campton ‘A’. Tom Ellis netted a hat-trick while Nick Cakebread and Tom Rodger scored the others.

For second place Sharnbrook Reserves it was a 5-1 home win over Dunton Reserves. Jayme Harris scored twice while there was one apiece for Martyn Caine, Kevin Harris and Dan Gloss, the reply from Ben Myler.

Now third, Sundon Park Rangers were the biggest winners of the day. They thumped Royal Oak Kempston 8-2 after goals from Matthew Conway (a hat-trick), Sam Chapman (two), Luke Evans, Chris Ward and Nicky Buttigieg were all on target against Oak replies from Lorenzo Jordan and Chris Birdsall.

Losing out on third spot on goal difference are M & DH Oakley despite their

3-1 away win at Flitwick Town Reserves. Adam Emms, Shaun Cafferty and Jamie Underwood on the scoresheet against a Town reply from Ryan Short.

They held onto fifth on goal difference as Sundon Park Rangers and Co-op Sports continued to win. There was a 4-2 home victory over Riseley Sports thanks to Kerry Smith (two), Chris Vardy and Scott Davis the replies from Greg Moksa and Jamie Gibson.

Making up the top six and with games in hand on all five sides above them are Cranfield United Reserves. They are now unbeaten in eight starts after winning 4-1 at Caldecote ‘A’. Peter Kerr, James Armstrong, Stuart Pearce and Adam Constable were on the scoresheet against a home reply from Jordan Goodman.

The day’s final action in this division saw Wilshamstead Reserves win 6-0 at home to Westoning Recreation Club Reserves after Liam Philip netted four alongside singles for Matt Johnson and James Abbot.

Division Four

AFC Turvey remain 100 per cent for the season and six points clear at the top of the table after they made it 14 wins on the bounce with a 6-0 home success against Stewartby Village. John Guiney bagged a hat-trick, Daniel Bailey a brace plus another for Salmir Guri.

For second place Goldington it was a seventh consecutive win, 5-0 at Eastcotts. Chris Huckle (two), Damien Quigley, Karl Anderson and Brian Day netted the goals.

In third spot are Thurleigh and, following two straight defeats, they returned to winning ways with a 3-0 home win over Sandy Reserves. Ben Stock, Stefan Wilson and Steve Pledge all finding the net.

There was a 5-0 away win for Potton Town at Bedford Park Rangers and with games in hand of all of the six teams above them, they could yet get involved in the promotion race. Chris Cooper netted a hat-trick with single strikes from Sam Barham and James Day.

Also hitting five were Dinamo Flitwick, 5-2 home winners over Kempston Athletic. Dale Goldie with a brace plus Ross Lockey, Barrie Lee Hannam and William Munns having their goals only replied to by Jamie Marsh and Dee Sayid.

Going one better were Lea Sports PSG Reserves. They were 6-3 home winners over Goldington Hammers after Glen Collins was on target four times alongside singles for Callum Jones and Marko Failla.

The final game of the day took Clifton Reserves to their fifth consecutive win. They were 2-0 winners at Wootton Village thanks to Sam Mills and Sam McNaught.