Shefford see off leaders to move level on points

Shefford win table-topping clash
Recent Bedfordshire League action.Recent Bedfordshire League action.
Recent Bedfordshire League action.

Ryan Lewis fired the Town ahead just a minute before the break and the writing was on the cards for United when he doubled the scoreline 15 minutes from time - even before Andrew Hayday netted goal number three just six minutes from time.

Now in third spot are Marston Shelton Rovers who claimed their third win on the bounce by winning 3-0 at Wilstead who have now lost their last five league outings to slip to fourth from bottom. Lee Dudley, Dean Reid and Jamie Cerminara netted the goals to do the damage.

Rovers climbed above AFC Oakley M&DH whose home encounter with Ickwell & Old Warden was postponed when the visitors found upon arrival at Church Lane their Luton-based players had failed to travel.

Oakley are for certain to be awarded the three points when the league committee next meets which will take them back level on points with Marston Shelton Rovers.

For fifth place Flitwick Town it was a sharing of the points from a 1-1 home draw with AFC Turvey for whom it was game number 12 without a victory. Ritchie Bevan on the home scoresheet against a Turvey reply from Mark Allen.

Now in sixth place are AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College who won 2-1 at Eastcotts AFC. Ryan Smith and Humberto Mbunazo on their scoresheet against a lone reply from Adam Tully. Whilst Sharnbrook drop down the standings to seventh place after losing 4-1 at Wootton Blue Cross. Carl Ibbotson with a brace plus single goals from Phil Matthews and Ryan Mellor were replied to once by Jim Burnside for the visitors.

Elsewhere, Pavenham recorded just their second home win of the season with a 4-2 victory over Lidlington United Sports. James Owen scoring twice alongside single strikes from Jack Harding and Tom Church against United replies via Daniel Bullen and Darren Rowlett.

The Sandy v Caldecote local derby was postponed due to the state of the pitch at Bedford Road Recreation Ground.

Division One supported by Wests Citroen Bedford

Henlow’s lead at the head of the Division One supported by Wests Citroen Bedford league table remains at four points following their 6-1 home win over Potton Town.

James Campbell with a hat-trick was supported by single goals from Keith Milburn, Jonathan Rowe and Dean Smith against a lone Town reply from James Pyman.

For second place Elstow Abbey it was a 5-1 win at now second from bottom Marabese Ceramics. Ahead as early as the 1st minute via Danny Pilgrim, the Abbey didn’t add a second until Dante Barile netted from the penalty spot just three minutes before the break.

Yet goals from Callum Davenport in the 49th minute and Andy Klein in the 66th minute had them 4-0 ahead until Lewis Littlechild reduced the arrears six minutes later only to see Davenport strike again to bring up the nap hand three minutes from time.

With third place Cranfield United having their game at Shefford Town & Campton Reserves postponed, Great Barford drew level on points with them in netting win number seven on the bounce 11-1 at home against bottom of the table Brache Sparta. Elijah Hukin, Reuben Hukin and David Mulvihill all netting twice alongside an own goal plus strikes from Ben Stock, Patrick Mulvihill, Jordan Morrison and Nick Payne against a lone reply from D’Quan Owens.

Now up into fifth are Meltis Albion who ran out 5-1 home winners over AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves. Alex Smith with a hat-trick being joined on the scoresheet by Sahr Songa and Craig Damon to bring up the nap hand against a lone reply from Keegan Roberts.

Slipping down into sixth are Sundon Park Rangers who were beaten 3-1 at Riseley Sports.Karl Walker, Paul Brown and James Cooke on the home scoresheet against a lone Rangers reply from Matthew Conway.

Elsewhere AFC Oakley M&DH Reserves took their unbeaten away ways up to four games by winning 5-1 at Bedford SA. Louis Green with a hat-trick plus a brace from Ray Patrickson bringing up the nap hand against a lone home reply from Daniel Bond.

Meantime it was a share of the spoils for AFC Harlington and Queens Park Crescents in a 2-2 draw. Jon Murray and Jamie Daniels were on the home scoresheet against a brace in reply from Shahiaur Rahman.

Bedfordshire FA Junior Cup Third Round

The biggest win of the day was to go the way of Stevington who ran out 6-0 away winners at Luton District & South Beds League Caddington Rangers. Joe Holyoak and Sam Nightingale netted braces, supported by single strikes from Gavin White and Luke Cronin.

There was also a big 5-2 away win for Westoning at the Warren against Elstow Abbey Reserves. James Clegg, Tom Malems, Bryn Reynolds, Glenn Cooksley and Shaun Cooksley netting the goals to bring up the nap hand. Abbey’s cause not helped when goalkeeper Steve Trainer was sent off on the half hour mark when they led 1-0 via a strike from Myles Ferrraro before the second goal from Josh Gill pegged the scoreline back to 3-2 only to see Westoning net two late goals.

Also winning 5-2 were Moggerhanger United at home against FC Serbia. Thomas Watts and Lee Adams both netting twice alongside Luke Rudd for United against replies from Milan Marusic and Demilison Conceicao.

Also into the hat for the last eight draw are Cranfield United Reserves who thanks to a goal from Phil Kempsell were 1-0 home winners over Marston Shelton Rovers Reserves plus FC Houghton who won 3-0 at Shefford Town & Campton A. Paul Taylor with a brace plus Sam Martin netting the goals to do the damage.

For Bedford United it was a passage into the last eight after Luton District & South Beds League side FC Spandits Reserves failed to raise a side to meet them at the Hockey Centre.

Division Two

Clapham Sports are now within two points of the leaders Westoning after running out 2-1 home winners over Renhold United Reserves. Luke Stone and Sam Maddix grabbed the goals against a lone United reply via Michael France.

For Wootton Village it was a return to winning ways via a 3-1 away win at Caldecote Reserves. Adam Flynn netted twice and Aaron Williams once after Scott Lankester had given the home side the lead. Whilst Kempston Hammers Sports netted their first away win when winning 3-1 at Meltis Albion Reserves. Sunnie Sandhu with a brace plus an own goal only being replied to once by Clive Sawyer for the Albion.

Division Three

We have new leaders at the head of the division three league table in the shape of Lea Sports PSG after they notched their fifth win on the bounce to end Dinamo Flitwick’s unbeaten home ways with a 2-0 victory. Lee Bull and Joe Henman netting the vital goals.

Just a point behind in second are Atletico Europa whose own 100% away record was broken when they were held to a 3-3 draw at Clifton. Kane Alexander scored twice and Simon Gatward once against home replies from Charlie Watts with a brace and Andy Harvey.

Over on the Green it was a surprise 2-0 home defeat for Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves at the hands of Sandy Reserves for whom Jonnie Stratford and Rob Wilson netted the goals and for Mid Beds Tigers it was defeat number six on the bounce when going down 4-1 at home against Flitwick Town Reserves. Benn Ward and Kevin Higby both netting twice for the Town against a lone Tigers reply from Steve Titmus.

The Westoning U20 v White Eagles game postponed due to the state of the Greenfield Road pitch.