Young Boys win thriller after penalty shoot-out

AC Sportsman & Ravensborough 4 aet (Caldecote won 3-2 on penalties)

CALDECOTE Young Boys won through to the County Cup semi-finals following a penalty shoot-out win against AC Sportsmen. They started well and took the lead on 15 minutes when Neil Giles’ through ball for Tom Cookman saw him find the net.

The Sportsman equalised from a 21st minute corner but with half time approaching, a Sportsman corner was turned into his own net by a Caldecote player for 2-1.

Young Boys started the new well and five minutes in Jack Boyd levelled while eight minutes later from Giles’ corner, the ball ricochetted from AC’s keeper to Paul Gower who headed in for 3-2. But they then conceded a soft penalty which was converted. Caldecote keeper Nathan Buckland made a fine save to keep the game at 3-3 to ensure extra time.

Five minutes into the first period, AC Sportsman went 4-3 up while it was Cookman who levelled with his second of the game to send it into a penalty shoot-out.

Sportsman netted their first but the Young Boys missed and while it became 2-0 and Caldecote on their way out, it became 2-2 before match of the Buckland slammed home his kick for 3-2 before saving the Sportsman’s spot kick to ensure his side reached the last four.

Caldecote Young Boys: Buckland, Haddow, Webb, Robinson, Jordan, Giles, Harris, Gower, K Shilton, Boyd, Cookman. Subs: Hall, C Shilton, Wallace, Bilcock.

SUNDAY football resumed at the weekend after an imposed two week lay-off, although in two of the three Beds FA Sunday Cup quarter-final ties, two Bedford League sides went out.

Oakley travelled to St Josephs where they suffered a 3-0 reverse while Esquires were humbled 5-1 at home by FC Leighton Orient leaving Caldecote Young Boys to carry the torch after their shoot-out win – see above report.

It was a bleak picture in the Beds FA Sunday Junior Cup where FC Houghton beat Dunton Sunday 3-1 and Co-op Sports eliminated 21st GNG Tigers by the only goal of the game in Bedford Park.

M&DH Clapham came up against St Joseph’s Reserve team in the Beds FA Lower Junior Cup and lost at home 2-0 although Shillington Pirates went through to the semis after beating Goldington Rangers from the same division 7-1.

It was three wins out of three in the Beds FA Centenary Cup. Westoning Gijon RC disposed of Beechwood 4-2 at home, whilst AF Mato got it right in the end beating Barrels Magnum Luton 5-2 after extra time. Brickhill U21s ‘A’ got up early to nick the tie from Houghton Park Rangers 3-2 away from home.

On the domestic scene, Atletico Europa took the opportunity to overtake Meltis Mexicans near the top of the Premier Division by beating leaders London Road Supreme 4-0 at the Bedfordshire University. Atletico were the better side in the first half competing quickly and doggedly for the ball not letting London Road settle into their game.

On 20 minutes, Bayo Shabi came up from the back and cracked a screamer into Supreme’s net. The rest of the half was nip and tuck with London Road having possible chances of their own but it ended 4-1 to Atletico who were good value for their victory and they are now in second spot behind London Road with four games in hand.

The First Division had only two games. Newtown Rangers beat fellow strugglers Harrold & Carlton 2-1 to forge a gap of two points,and to move away from the bottom two.

Sharnbrook Casuals have won the division after beating Old Hastingsburians 3-1, and this must be the earliest any team has won a divisional title.

It was busier in Division Two where leaders Wootton Wanderers have made it difficult for Renhold to get into the top two places by the end of the season after beating them 3-2. Eagle Heating have crept up behind Renhold and also have a two game advantage after beating Marston Reds 4-1, who are currently languishing in bottom spot.

Cranfield and Houghton Conquest shared the points in a 1-1 draw while Bumble Bee Flitwick got two valuable points off Caldecote Reserves after a 5-0 victory which gives the Bees a chance to get out of relegation trouble.

There were a lot of goals in Division Three in which leaders Grafton Celtics came a cropper being after losing 4-0 at home to Bedford Allsters. Celtics remain top as second placed M&DH Clapham were playing in the County Cup. There was a foretaste of this weekend’s Brian Craddock Jubilee Cup semi-final when Mile Road Casuals played Gardeners Arms Biggleswade. Gardeners won away from home 5-2 so it should be an interesting encounter on the same pitch.

There were ten goals Reserves when Flitwick Eagles came to call and lashed eight of them into the home net, Dunton managing two in return. Bedford Panthers are not out of the title race just yet after their 2-1 win against Old Boys. Panthers are third and could still figure.

There were more goals in Division Four with Fox & Hounds Clapham scoring nine at bottom club BMC, who scored three in reply. Bedford Cupids then drilled seven at home to Bellini’s who scored just one. The Cupids are now top of the division just ahead of Rose Biggleswade who won their game away at Santaniello’s 2-1. Bedford Albion have crept away from the bottom two places after their 3-2 win over Oakley Reserves.

In Division Five, AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College obviously got a lot out of their extended holiday when they came back this week to gain only their second victory in the league with Alfa Oakley were on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline against Kempston who have now hauled themselves off bottom place.

Sir William Peel’s quest for a top finish was dented when they could only draw 1-1 against Oakley Wanderers.

In the Under 21 Division, Luton Central play host to Leighton Corinthian Seniors who won 3-2. Watling Youth lost 6-2 to Barton Rovers at Leagrave Park.

There are two league cup games on Sunday plus a host of league matches in all divisions week (see the fixtures page).

Clive Milton

l The Michael R Peters Bedford & District Sunday League is ready to accept applications from any new clubs wish wish to join them for the 2012/13 season.

For more details, please contact General Secretary Russ Maddox on 01234 404886 or email [email protected]