Success in county cups for league sides

Goldington Rangers had a tough game against Meltis Rangers in the Beds FA Lower Junior Cup fighting out a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Goldington won the tie 5-4 on penalties to go into the next round.

And in the same competition, Shillington Pirates knocked out Victoria Rangers from Dunstable 5-0.

M&DH Clapham, doing well in the league, had an excellent away 4-2 win at St Martins while in the Beds FA Centenary Cup, Sandy Titans hosted Bedford’s AF Mato but the visitors downed the Titans 4-1.

Brickhill Wanderers met fellow Under 21 side Watling Youth at Jubilee Park and hammered them 8-1 to start the New Year in style while high-flying Westoning Gijon RC showed their class by beating Atletico Arlesey 3-1 to complete a very satisfactory morning for the league.

The Premier Division started the New Year with just three games. Leaders Meltis Mexicans made short work of Esquires, beating them 5-0. It was, however, an even contest in the first half, except for Danny Pilgrim’s ‘tap-in’ after twenty minutes.

In the second half Meltis showed their extra power sinking four goals, two from Jozwiak, and only a couple from Callum Davenport.

London Road Supreme made their usual abysmal start to their game going 2-0 down in the first half against Haynes.

However, Daniel Luke scored twice to take Supreme in at half-time all square. London Road then showed they are getting used to winning from behind when Daniel Luke scored two more goals, with Milo and Travis netting the others to make it 6-2 at the end.

Lawson Park Rangers started their New Year on a rare high beating Constant & Co 3-0 away from home. Dean Bawden and Mark Reed scored for Rangers, and the ever modest Dan Jones scored with an absolute cracker.

Meltis are three points clear at the top of the Division with probable second favourites, Atletico Europa, five points adrift but with games in hand over Meltis. Esquires are still bottom and looking for their first point of the season.

Sharnbrook Casuals, leaders of Division One, need only two more victories to take the league title after beating 21st GNG Tigers 3-0.

Sharnbrook’s fine unbeaten run continued after Shaun Bennett had buried a penalty, and Jamie Cross had scored a couple of goals. GNG didn’t help themselves by having two players sent off in the latter stages of the game.

Kempston Hammers had a tight tussle with Newtown Rangers, the Hammers winning that one by the odd goal of seven.

A nasty, accidental injury terminated the Dunton versus Harrold & Carlton game with the score on 1-0 to H&C.

We’re sure that everyone connected with the league wishes the player a speedy recovery.

Top club Wootton Wanderers took up where they left off before Christmas in Division Two by winning away at Marston Reds.

Mowsbury Athletic are hanging in there in second spot after dropping a point at Caldecote Reserves.

This was a good contest with the cobwebs being brushed away after a few minutes when Mowsbury took the lead through Harry Weller.

Caldecote equalised after 30 minutes but Arran Wright rose the highest at a corner set-piece to nod in number two for the visitors.

It became 3-1 in the second half when Jammy Carter made it three to Athletic with a rasping shot from the edge of the box, but despite the scoreline the Cally keeper was making excellent saves.

Caldecote made it 3-2 while 15 minutes from time they equalised with a penalty. Cally were made to hang on until the end, leaving Athletic to reflect on their failure to gather both points.

Renhold surrendered ground on both Wootton and Mowsbury when they lost 4-3 at home to Eagle Heating. Renhold remain in third still with a good chance of taking the title.

In the other game, Cranfield drilled six past Houghon Conquest who replied with just a single goal. Cranfield are fourth but it will be difficult for them to get much higher.

There were only two games in Division Three. Bedford Panthers, needing to get more points on the board, beat Dunton Reserves 6-1. Mile Road Casuals proved too strong for Wells Stars, beating the Stars 4-1 at Hinksley Road. The Casuals are third within touching distance of the top two.

Division Four had three games. Rose Biggleswade versus Fox & Hounds Clapham was the pick of the matches, Rose beating their hosts 4-2.

Bedford Albion got two points from a fading BMC, and in the other match Bedford Cupids were unable to get both points from Santaniello’s, having to settle for one apiece. Bedford Cupids are top with Rose second on the same number of points, together with Goldington Rangers who were on County Cup duty.

There was another nasty, accidental injury in Division Five which caused the game between Alfa Oakley and Sir William Peel Sandy to be abandoned. The score was 3-0 to Alfa at the time, but the game will have to be be replayed.

As stated above, we’re sure that everyone connected with the league would wish the player a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, there were goals galore in the other two games with Blackbirds Flitwick hammering AFC Kempston Town & BC 7-0. Shillington Pirates Reserves also made hay beating Oakley Wanderers 6-2.

Westoning look odds on for the title, but Blackbirds Flitwick are trying but there are some useful clubs just behind, enough to make it a fascinating race for second place.

In the Under 21s Division Brickhill Wanderers B earned two good points by travelling and beating Leighton Corinthian Seniors 2-1. Brickhill are now only a point behind Leighton, both clubs just above the bottom two places.

This coming Sunday there is another busy programme of league fixtures, plus matches in the Sunday Junior Cup.

Clive Milton