Bedfordshire League preview, October 2

League leaders Shefford Town & Campton defending their seasons 100% home record with a visit from second place Renhold United who travel to defend their own seasons unbeaten record and search for the points that would lift them to the top of the table at their hosts expense.

With the next three clubs in the standings Wilshamstead, Blunham and Oakley Sports all sitting the afternoon out, Leighton United have a chance to move up the table into third spot should they come up with the full three points when they visit Hillgrounds to take on hosts AFC Kempston Town.

Over at Harvey Close, its local derby action between Caldecote and Biggleswade United Reserves, the home side looking firm favourites to collect their fourth win on the bounce. Whilst just down the road at the Carlsberg Stadium, hosts Southill Alexander will need no reminding just what happened when visitors Woburn came calling last season.

The day’s final game in this section being at Horseshoes Close,where hosts Dunton look to end a three game losing run when bottom of the table Sharnbrook come in search of their first win of the season.

In Division One, the top game looks to be at Miller Road, where league leaders Bedford Hatters defend their seasons 100% record against fourth place Henlow who take to the road for their sixth consecutive away game of the season, the last four all being won.

Passion however could also be high at Mill Lane, the venue for second place Potton Wanderers home clash with local rivals Ickwell & Old Warden Reserves.

For third place Marston Shelton Rovers, its a trip to Cople Playing Fields to face Bedford Sports Athletic, the Rovers looking to make it five wins on the bounce against an Athletic side that is still unbeaten at home this season.

Elsewhere, its a case of will Marston Social make it to the starting line for their scheduled home encounter against AFC Kempston Town Reserves, while the only club currently below them in the league standings, Luton Old Boys, make their way to Harvey Close to take on Caldecote Reserves.

Over at Moggerhanger Playing Fields, Blunham Reserves look to have a tough task on their hands to retain their seasons unbeaten home ways when fifth in the table, and still 100% on their travels, Meltis Albion come calling.

The final game of the day in this section taking place at Bedford Road Recreation Ground,where Sandy now on a four game losing run host third from bottom in the table Brache Sparta Community Reserves.

Action for the lower division sides this weekend sees the spotlight fall onto the opening round ties in this seasons Bedfordshire FA Junior Cup. Bedfordshire County Football League teams being involved in a total of 24games, 16 of which will be domestic league affairs.

Of the eight sides facing opposition from other leagues, five will be making trips on the road. Of these, Sandy Reserves face perhaps the toughest task in their quest to make it into the hat for Round Two when they head towards Manor Road and a meeting with Spartan South Midlands Football League outfit Caddington Reserves.

Three others are on the road to face Luton District & South Beds League opponents, Sharnbrook Reserves in search of Vauxhall Brache Recreation Ground to take on Christians in Sport. Lea Sports PSG will be on the road to meet Square Rangers, and Co-op Sports make the trip across Luton to meet up again with old adversaries St Joseph at their Skimpot Road headquarters in Dunstable.

The fifth side to travel being Cranfield United Reserves, who head to Pages Park in Leighton Buzzard for a meeting with North Bucks League outfit LB Galaxy.

The three sides to enjoy home advantage are, Co-op Sports Reserves who host North Bucks League side Southcott Village Residents Association at Solway Road. Arlesey Social Galacticos who also take on North Bucks League opponents in the shape of Heath Panthers United at Arlesey Recreation Ground and M & DH Oakley will be hosts to Stopsley Baptist Church.

In the 16 all Bedfordshire County Football League affairs there are nine chances of a spot of so called giant-killing. For those that have home advantage, perhaps the best opportunity falls the way of fourth division AFC Turvey who take on division three outfit Royal Oak Kempston at Stonefields, as in the other three ties you would expect the visitors, all division two sides to prevail.Elstow Abbey, making the short trip to Stewartby Way to face Stewartby Village. Harpur FC en route to Steppingley Road for a meeting with Flitwick Town Reserves, whilst Queens Park Crescents will be in Keysoe Road action against Thurleigh.

Of the five potential giant-killers hitting the road, one would suggest perhaps division four Goldington have the best chance of an upset with the journey to Digswell Playing Fields to take on division three side Shefford Town & Campton A.

For last seasons beaten finalists, division three Renhold Village, it’s a tough looking encounter at Hurst Grove against division two Lidlington United Sports. Whilst division four Bedford Park Rangers at division two Bromham United and division three Westoning Recreation Club Reserves at Whiston Crescent against division two Clifton will certainly start the day second favourites to make it into the hat for round two.A comment that also applies to division four Dunton Reserves who head for a Groveside meeting against division Two Marabese Ceramics.

Elsewhere, there are two all division two clashes. At Greenfield Road you would expect Westoning Recreation Club to progress at the expense of Stevington, but at King George VI Playing Fields, on current league form hosts Kings AFC will have their work cut out against Shefford Town & Campton Reserves.

It’s a similar story in the pair of all division three meetings. Pavenham in Hillgrounds against Caldecote A, the firm favourites to progress but visitors Sundon Park Rangers will fancy their chances when they journey to Gold Street to take on Riseley Sports.

The final three ties are all division four affairs, Dinamo Fltwick in home action at Hinksley Road Recreation Ground against Lea Sports PSG Reserves.Goldington Hammers taking on Wootton Village in Mowsbury Park, whilst Sunderland Road Sandy is the venue for Potton Town’s meeting with Clifton Reserves.