Bedford Sunday League: Hollis scores five to topple cup holders

Danny Hollis was the star of the show for Queensmen tormenting the Rangers’ defence with a brilliant personal five goal ‘nap-hand’, three of his goals coming in the first half.

Premier Division leaders Oakley’s cup game this week against First Division Meltis Mexicans was certain to be tough, and as it turned out it was, the Mexicans winning four / two. Scott Alleyne gave Meltis their first foot-hold towards the quarter final stage of the Cup only five minutes into the game. The Oakley defence got themselves in a muddle and Alleyne poked the ball home. Tommy Foyle equalised for Oakley from the penalty spot, but Alleyne restored the Mexican’s lead just before the break by running onto an excellent through ball to score. The second half was largely a midfield battle but Oakley drew level again when Alex Wools managed to bundle the ball into Meltis’ net. Man of the match Alleyne got Meltis back in front and scored his fourth just before the final whistle. Oakley scored one more but the game was lost by then. Meltis Mexicans will now have the dubious honour of taking on the new leaders of the Premier Division, Atletico Europa, in the Quarter Finals of the Cup. In the other tie of the round, Constant & Co. Athletic breezed through after hammering Newtown Rangers six / one.

Meanwhile, in the only league game in the Premier Division, Atletico Europa were beating Dunton Sunday two / nil to leap-frog Oakley into the top position.

In the Brian Craddock Jubilee Cup, there were two upsets where Division Three clubs beat their opponents from Division Two. Caldecote Young Boys Reserves turned over Marston Reds six / two away from home, and Old Boys beat Drager United five / four after extra time. In a remarkable game, Old Boys recovered from being three / nil down after only twenty minutes. Mark Weir reduced the deficit before half time for the Boys. The score became three / two in the seventieth minute when Michael Fry rounded the exposed Drager keeper, and the Old Boys’ equalising goal came from a strange source. Adam Piper found himself on the left wing from where he delivered a cross for Michael Kirby to stab the ball into Drager’s net. Extra time was dominated by the Old Boys who scored twice more through Ian Perkins and Weir again. Drager scored their fourth with almost the last kick of the game. Kempston Sunday trounced Flitwick Eagles seven / one. Kempston started off as usual, giving their opponents a goal start after only ten minutes, again relying on Richard Howlett to produce another ‘howler’ in the shape of an own goal. Craig Richards steadied the ship by equalising from a corner and then it was all plain sailing for Kempston with Shaun Winconeck getting two quick goals from identical circumstances, scoring after two ‘one on one’s’ with the hapless Flitwick keeper. In the second half Richards scored his second with a lob over the keeper and then Jordan Jarrold was put through by Aaron Sabey to make the score five / one. Richard Howlett made amends for his ‘Horlicks’ earlier on by scoring number six, and then cheekily claiming number seven despite the rest of the Kempston team believing it was an own goal by a Flitwick player. New Inn Biggleswade defeated Cranfield seven / one away from home. The Inn were four / nil up at half-time through two goals by David Sells, and the others from Barry Sells and Paul Standen. David Sells scored two more in the second half, one a twenty-five yard half volley, and Tom Wallace also netted. Barry Sells scored his second with a twenty yard drive. Cranfield scored their goal with ten minutes to go in the game. Crown Flitwick scored seven also, but Bedford Allsters came back with four of their own which was obviously not enough.

The shock of the day in the Cups came from the game between Bedford Panthers and Bedford Cupids in the M & DH Insurance Cup. Bedford Panthers are sitting proudly on top of Division Four whilst Bedford Cupids are inconsistent and in the lower half of Division Five. The Cupids perhaps felt a relief of being away from league action and proceeded to overturn the Panthers three / one away from home. The other three ties in this cup went with current form, with M & DH Clapham, GNG Tigers and Shillington Pirates going into the hat for the next round. The Pirates could not field their full team but had enough to beat Kempston Wanderers five / two. Andrew Hayday scored two for Shillington, with the other three goals coming from Adam and Sam Larsen, and Matt Allen.

In the First Division, Kempston Hammers had the best result, beating Bird in Hand five / nil to ease their relegation worries. Leaders Sharnbrook Casuals powered ahead at the top after demolishing a depleted 21st Century eight / nil, and Stewartby had little trouble in beating bottom club London Road Supreme Reserves three / one.

Eagle Heating won the only game in Division Two with a three / one win against Ship Inn at Addison Howard Park.

Mowsbury Athletic are going through a bit of a crisis at the moment after suffering their third league defeat this weekend at the hands of Bumblebee Flitwick who have gone top of Divison Three after beating them four / nil at Mowsbury Park. Athletic are still third, but have played more games than the clubs around them. Salento United are continuing to haul themselves away from the bottom of the division after beating Black Tom Rangers two / one. Salento scored first after twenty-five minutes and again a minute later through Paulo Santos and skipper Marco Catrambone, to go in at half-time two / nil up. James Lucas pulled a goal back for Black Tom with eight minutes left, but Salento held on to take both points.

Gardeners Arms Biggleswade have hit the top of Division Four after beating Bedford Albion seven / two, and Rose Biggleswade’s three / one win at home to BMC has put them level on points with the Arms, but now with an inferior goal difference. Bellini’s five / three defeat of Embankment is their first win this season but they remain in bottom place. Moor Lane Meltis slipped up at home to Bird in Hand Lower Stondon, gaining only one point from the encounter. Moor Lane could have gone top had they won.

Santaniello’s two / one win at Fox & Hounds Clapham was the only game played in Division Five.

Next Sunday there are County Cup games together with quite a full league programme.