Bedfordshire League preview: September 26

Renhold are unbeaten - but a victory by two or more goals would see Shefford climb above United in the league standings come the final whistle.

That however would not be good enough to take them to the top spot unless current second place AFC Oakley M&DH were to lose at Ickwell & Old Warden, and with the hosts still being unbeaten this season that outcome could well happen.

For fourth place AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College it’s another trip on the road when they journey to Bedford Road Recreation Ground looking for their third consecutive away victory against a Sandy side who will be in search of their first home win of the season.

Whilst at Crawley Road fifth place Cranfield United look to return to winning ways on home soil against the visiting Wilstead.

Over at Weston Park it’s a clash between the bottom two clubs. Hosts Eastcotts AFC, having won their opening game of the season before losing their next four, welcome basement club Caldecote who are still in search of their first win of the season in this game number six.

Just goal difference above Eastcotts AFC in the table are both Elstow Abbey and Sharnbrook who both have home games this weekend. The Abbey at the Warren play hosts to Ampthill Town Reserves whose lone away trip of the season thus far saw them win at AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College.

Whilst at Lodge Road, Sharnbrook, now on a three game losing run, entertain Marston Shelton Rovers who will be looking for their third away win on the bounce.

The final action comes at Pavenham Playing Fields where both hosts Pavenham and the visiting Flitwick Town also go in search of their own third wins on the bounce.

With the Division One supported by Wests Citroen Bedford leaders Stevington sitting the afternoon out should we get a positive result either way at Stockwood Athletic Stadium between hosts Sundon Park Rangers and the visiting Potton Town.

Both go into the clash holding down 100% record so the victors would climb above Stevington in the standings. However, this would not guarantee them top spot as should AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves win at bottom of the table AFC Oakley M&DH then they could well head them on goal difference.

Over at Moore Crescent both hosts Houghton Athletic and the visiting Riseley Sports will be in search of their first win of the season.

Whilst the final league action comes at Rectory Road where hosts Shefford Town & Campton Reserves look to return to winning ways on home soil against visitors Queens Park Crescents who make the trip looking for their first away win of the season.

Meantime it’s Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Cup First Round Cup action at Groveside between hosts Henlow and the visiting Ickleford for the right to entertain Riseley Sports in Round Two.

It’s also Bedfordshire FA Junior Cup First Round action for the majority of our lower division sides which of course sets up the usual giant-killing opportunities.

Perhaps facing the biggest danger of being on the wrong end of an upset are Elstow Abbey Reserves who currently sit on bottom of the division two league table when they make the visit to Harvey Close to face Division Four side Caldecote A.

Or Marston Shelton Rovers Reserves who at their Playing Field headquarters host division three side Shefford Town & Campton A who are yet to lose this season.

Also don’t rule out the chances of division three White Eagles getting the better of division two Kempston Athletic when they clash in Mowsbury Park or AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College A of division four beating division three outfit AFC Dunton on the 3G surface at Hillgrounds.

Other action sees an all division three clash at Hinksley Road between hosts Dinamo Flitwick and the visiting Renhold United Reserves and an all division four clash at the Sandy Academy between the hosting current league leaders Mid Beds Tigers and the visiting Bedford Albion.

For three other sides it’s ties against opposition from outside our league, Wootton Village entertaining Luton District & South Beds League Caddington at Wootton Recreation Ground. Whilst FC Spandits Reserves from the same league host Sundon Park Rovers at Clements End Road, Studham.

The final game comes at Hurst Grove where Lidlington United Sports play host to North Bucks League side Southcott Village RA Reserves.

All this cup action leaves us with just three division two league games. For Cople & Bedford SA its a chance to climb to the top of the league standings should they win at the Football Centre against Flitwick Town Reserves. Whilst it’s third against fourth in Jubilee Park where hosts Atletico Europa look to swap places in the table with the visiting Kempston Hammers.

A stalemate in this game would give both the hosting Bedford United or the visiting Lea Sports PSG a chance to climb above them both with a victory from their clash at The Hockey Centre.

Division Three action is also down to just three games. For the 100% league leaders Wixams that means a trip to Harvey Close to play Caldecote Reserves.

Whilst Clifton could move up the standings into second spot with a Wixam win and a victory of their own at Whiston Crescent against the visiting bottom of the table Meltis Albion Reserves.

The third game coming at Jubilee Playing Fields between the hosting Wilstead Reserves and visitors Sandy Reserves.

Likewise in Division Four it’s just a programme of three games. For current second place Westoning Reserves its a chance to take over top spot should they win by two goals or more when they journey into Allen Park to face current fourth place Polonia Bedford. Whilst Staughton will be expecting to return to winning ways and move up the league standings when they play hosts to current second from bottom Henlow Reserves who will hit the road looking for their first point/points of the season.

The third game comes at Stevington Playing Fields, where hosts Stevington Reserves seek to maintain their seasons 100% record against the visiting Flitwick Town A who are still in search of their first point/points of the season.