Sports Ath lose out in a nine-goal Intermediate Cup semi-final thriller

IT was extra time heartbreak for Bedford Sports Athletic in the Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Cup semi-final as they suffered a 5-4 home reverse against Real FNE.

After 90 minutes the game was deadlocked at 4-4 as the visitors levelled matters in the 87th minute. Andrew Latimer (two), plus Gary Canzano and Carmine Defoe the Athletic goalscorers.

Beds FA Centenary Cup

THE Bedfordshire County Football League retained their hold on the Bedfordshire FA Inter-League Centenary Cup under the guidance of Caldecote’s manager brothers Neil and Adrian Mapletoft with a comforable 6-0 victory over the South Beds Sunday Football League last Wednesday.

Ahead after just three minutes when following an inter-exchange between Adam Larsen and Andrew Hayday, Mark Franklin had the simple task of netting from just six yards out.

It was 2-0 after 21 minutes when Larsen converted a penalty after Paul Jones had been dragged down by South Beds keeper Lee Slocombe. Jones then made it 3-0 while Alex Woolston added the fourth. It was one-way yet the 80-plus crowd had to wait until the 66th minute before substitute Kai Griffiths-Shilton made it a nap hand while a second goal from Jones four minutes from time completed the job at 6-0.

Premier Division

WITH Sharnbrook unable to raise a side to face Shefford Town & Campton at Lodge Road, Caldecote are now back on top following their 2-1 victory at Wilshamstead thanks to goals from Tom Wallace and Mark Philips, the reply courtesy of Kevin Butler.

For third place Bedford Hatters there was a narrow 1-0 win over second from bottom Dunton thanks to a strike from Mark Reed. Oakley Sports jumped above the non-playing Renhold United into fourth following a 1-1 draw at Arlesey Town Reserves where Shaun Barnett was on the scoresheet against a home reply from Wayne Smith.

AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College suffered a fourth consecutive home defeat when losing 3-2 to Flitwick Town. Dean Warren, Peter Kouwenberg and Mark Bartlett netted the winner’s goals against a brace from Alex Russell.

Bottom of the table Woburn suffered their seventh consecutive defeat when beaten 3-1 at Blunham where Gareth Hughes, Zak Henry and Matty McMahon scored the home goals with Ben Nicholls getting the consolation.

Division One

MARSTON Shelton Rovers Division One lead is down to a single point after they lost their season’s unbeaten home record when going down 2-1 to Ickwell & Old Warden.

Anup Kalyan and Danny Fox netting the goals that now take Ickwell up into third slot in the standings, just two points shy of The Rovers who have played three more games. Alan Cudjoe on the scoresheet for The Rovers.

In second spot and with two games in hand on The Rovers are Lidlington United Sports, for them it was a 2-2 draw at Sandy. Darren Sims and Alex Burrows on the scoresheet against home replies via Olly Banfield and Daniel Stafford.

Elsewhere, the result of the day belonged to Meltis Abion who in winning for the first time in 16 outings 4-3 at Caldecote Reserves are now off the bottom of the league table. Luther Prince netting a hat-trick and a goal from Libero Battezzato outscoring home replies from Neil Giles, Tom Dupey and a Jack Boyd penalty.

For even more goals you needed to be at King George VI Playing Fields where Kings AFC And Luton Boys drew 5-5.

Marcus Tomlin with a hat-trick plus Chris Greene and Daniel Philips on the mark for the home side against braces in reply from Famik Stephen-Gabriel and Naashan Bennett plus a single strike from Stephen O’Dell.

Meantime, also sharing the spoils were FC Mepperhall in a 1-1 home draw against a Lea Sports PSG side that are now unbeaten in their last seven starts. Craig Damon the home marksman against a PSG reply from Dion Brown.

Division Two

LEAGUE leaders Elstow Abbey are now six points clear at the head of the league table after they retained their seasons unbeaten ways with a 3-1 victory at Bromham United. Travis Joseph from the penalty spot giving them a half-time lead before strikes from Ed L’Erario and Danny Pilgrim took them three goals clear until Tom Prothero netted for United.

For second place AFC Turvey, it was a shock 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Shefford Town & Campton Reserves. Sam James and Jordan Ainslie the Town goalscorers against a lone reply via Mike Stephenson.

The day’s lone home winners in this division were Co-op Sports with a 4-3 victory over second from bottom of the table Clifton. Scott Davis with a brace plus goals from Chris Vardy and Tom Miller outweighing Clifton replies from Gareth Carter twice and Nick Thomas.

Meanwhile, Pavenham are now unbeaten in their last six outings after winning 3-0 at Marabese Ceramics.Tom Rodger, Nick Atkins and Robert Heaney all finding the back of the net.

Also winning on the road were both Potton United Reserves and Stopsley Park. United taking their unbeaten away ways up to four games when goals from Sam King, Luke Sharples, Sam Bonham and Sam Worthington took them to a 4-0 win at M & DH Oakley.

Whilst The Park were 2-1 victors at Queens Park Crescents,Shane Roberts and Rob Wilson on the scoresheet against a home reply from Matthew Hefford.

Division Three

CRANFIELD United Reserves are now three points clear at the head of the division three standings after they ended Renhold Village’s seasons perfect 100 per cent home record with a 2-1 victory. Simon Wade netting both goals to take United to their sixth consecutive away win against a home reply from Pete Neal.

This defeat for The Village dropping from second spot to third place in the league table after Goldington leaped above them by returning to winning ways with a 4-2 victory at Dunton Reserves. Justin Muircroft with a hat-trick plus a goal from Johnny Hutchinson outscoring home strikes from Dan Cutmore and Ben Myler.

Elsewhere, fourth place Stevington were beaten 5-0 at Sundon Park Rangers Colts. Kevin Hilton with a brace plus goals from Ashley Wadhams, Luke Dolan and Robbie Smith doing the damage.

Still in fifth spot are Riseley Sports, for them it was a 1-1 draw at Potton Town who are now unbeaten in their last six home starts. Marcus Tait on the home scoresheet against a reply from Paul Brown.

Now back into sixth spot are Eastcotts AFC, following four straight away defeats they returned to form with a 3-1 win at bottom of the table Flitwick Town Reserves. Michael Sexton, Ciaran Alexander and Brad Temperley seeing their goals only replied to by Town’s Daryl Stringer.

Dropping out of the top six are Wilshamstead Reserves following their sharing of the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Kempston Hammers Sports. Richard Garnham on target for The Hammers against a Wilshamstead reply from Jay Hall.

Down at the other end of the league table, Westoning Reserves are now third from bottom and without a win from their last 11 games after suffering a 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Royal Oak Kempston who now climb above them in the league table. Lorzeno Jordan and Martin Smith both netting twice for The Oak against a brace in reply from Gareth White.

Division Four

BEDFORD Park Rangers retained their two point lead at the head of the division four league table with a 3-2 victory at second from bottom of the table Goldington Hammers. Matthew Westwood with a brace plus Elliot Stamp seeing their goals only replied to by Mohammed Kabir and Jhey Tompkins.

For second place Marsh Leys, it was a ninth consecutive win 2-0 at home over Wootton Village, Grant Williams and Alex Clipson on the scoresheet.

Whilst third place Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves are now unbeaten in their last seven outings following their 3-2 home win over Thurleigh. Matthew Bruney, Robert Brown and Derwayne Supple netting goals that were only replied to by Ben Stock and David Mulvihill.

Now in fourth spot are Stewartby Village after their 4-1 away win at Caldecote A, Michael Darnell twice plus a Ryan Collis penalty and a strike from Tom Wheelhouse taking them 4-0 ahead by half-time before George Radley reduced the arrears for the home side in the second period.

Still sitting in sixth spot are Clifton Reserves, for them it was a 5-1 home win over Dinamo Flitwick, Mitch Verdia netting twice alongside Vince Kernaghan, Laurie Bambridge and Sam Nightingale against a lone reply from Jay Del Boyer.

Seventh spot belongs to Sandy Reserves, who won for the seventh time on the road this season with a 2-1 victory at Bedford Panthers, Matt Baines and Danny Hoole seeing their goals only replied to by Joel Norris.

Whilst in eighth place are Shefford Town & Campton ‘A’ who were 5-1 home winners over Kempston Athletic. Michael Jones with a hat-trick being supported by strikes from Kieran Best and Simon Castle against a lone Gary Whitbread reply.

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