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Match Day Programme Premier Division Saturday 5th November 2022 Kick Off 3.00 pm Verses

Biggleswade United FC LORDS Builders Merchants Stadium Match Sponsored By Roger Stokes

Welcome to Pancake Lane Today we welcome Biggleswade United Players, Officials and Supporters to the LORDS Builders Merchants Stadium for SSML Premier Division game. We hope you have an enjoyable afternoon with us. We also welcome our match officials Referee Alex Francioni and his Assistants John Wynne and Guy Koskas You are welcome to use the clubs bar and tea bar before, halftime and after today’s game. You will be well look after by Sue and Michelle and our catering staff, Ioana and Nigel. On the gate Tony and Keith will give guidance for car parking and selling 50/50 tickets. The entrance fee us £8 and £4 for concessions. Roger Stokes sponsors todays match. We thank Roger for sponsoring today’s game. Please use the car parking provided inside the ground, as this will avoid any unnecessary disruption to our neighbours. If you have left your car on ANY of the adjoining roads, please pop outside and bring your car in, the car parking is free. Please follow any instructions or requests made by the club for your safety and enjoyment. The Club Management also reserves the right to refuse admission to the ground to, or to eject from the ground, any person who refuses to be searched by any steward, servant or agent of the Club or any Police officer. The Club management accepts no responsibility for injury or loss of property. Fixtures, results, and league tables are shown within the programme or visit our web site http://levgreenfc.co.uk Thank you for your co-operation https://lordsbm.co.uk

LGFC Club Information Officers

President – Jamie Herd Chairman – Emma Smart Vice Chairman – Tony Smart General Club Secretary – Dean Bradford Treasurer – Tony Smart General Committee William Dawes, Keith Pym, Alan Brett, Scott Isaacs, Pete Jerram, Steve Ypey, Roger Lipscombe

Match Day Secretary 1st Team - Alan Lee Match Day Secretary SCFYL Under 18 – Alan Lee Match Day Secretary EJA Under16 - Dean Bradford Membership: Dean Bradford Tony Smart - Clubhouse Manager Club Welfare Officer/Charter Standard – Scott Isaacs Media Officer/Website – Alan Lee Programme Editor – Tony Smart Accountants – Coyle & Co Honorary Life Vice-Presidents Mr. J Baldry, Mr. B Barter, Mr. C Bull, Mr. W Dawes, Mr. J Doble, Mr. S Robinson, Mr. R Saville, Mr. A Smart, Mr. P Taylor, Mr. J Williams, Mr. M Goodson, Mr. .J Lawes Web: http://levgreenfc.co.uk Twitter: @levgreenfc

SSML Premier Division LEVERSTOCK GREEN

Biggleswade United

White/Green Shirts, Green Shorts & Socks

Royal Blue Shirts, Black Shorts & Socks

AUSTIN BYFIELD (GK)

TOM WYANT (GK)

RIO BEACH

MILO KEANE

ALVIN KYEREMEH

CAMERON HYDE

BRADLEY ROBINSON

CONNOR INSKIP

ADRIAN PITFIELD

CADE STEPHENS-ABBEY

RYAN CARRUTHERS

JORDON WRIGHT

IBRAHIM NAGHEEB

RAHEEM JABBAR

LEWIS COLLINS

GARETH HUNT (C)

GEORGE MITCHELL-GEARS

TAYLOR RHINEY

ELGENTY DAALBERG

JAIDEN IRISH

ETHAN MOONEY

MARKEL COUSINS

CHRIS BLUNDEN

YEMI ADELANI

SEAN WALSH

KYE ANDREWS

DAN PETT

LEWIS JONES

SCOTT McGLEISH

JOSH STURNIOLO

BOBBY ARMSTRONG

JUSTIN GREATOREX

KRAIG McLEOD

JEMALE McKENZIE

BRIAN TESTOLIN

OLLIE LESLIE MICHAEL HUDSON

Manager: Fergus Moore Assistant: Scott McGleish Coach: Darren Bonfield Physio:

Head Coach: Cristian Colas Assistant: Del Digweed Coach: Dan Watkins Josh Thomas Cam Gaffeny Physio: Bernat Puig-Valls Referee: Alex Francioni Referee Assistants: John Wynne & Guy Koskas

Biggleswade United FC History

Biggleswade United Football Club was re-formed on the 16th July 1959. However, local history records indicate that there was a Biggleswade United side playing at Second Meadow as early as 1929. Our first season (1959/60) saw us competing in Division Three of the North Herts. League (NHL). After 10 successful years in the NHL the club made the step up to South Midlands League (SML) football. But towards the end of a 15-year association with the SML the club began to struggle and after three years of finishing in the bottom three of Division One we sought fresh fields. The club joined the Herts. Senior but club continued to find the going tough. In 1986 we elected to return to local League football, joining the Bed- ford and District Football League and began to build again. The appointment of Brian Swords as first team manager in 87/88 proved to be the turning point in the club’s fortunes. During the next ten years the club achieved a tremendous amount of success on and off the football pitch. Our record of League and Cup honours speak for themselves but aligned to this a great deal of work went on behind the scenes to match the on-field success. The club now boasts one of the best clubhouse and ground facilities in the Mid-Bedfordshire area. The success of the club has also attracted many new players as well as commanding a great deal of loyalty from those players who helped the club progress from Division Three of the Bedford and District League to County Senior Club status in just 15 years. The 1995/96 season was the most successful in the club’s history - winning five major honours: the Beds Intermediate County Cup, Bedford and District League Championship, League Cup Championship and as the League’s representatives the club won the Beds. FA Centenary Cup. Having won every major Bedford League honour the club felt it was time to move on and made the decision to make the step up once again and returned to Division One of the SML. In an exceptionally successful first season we celebrated a Division One “double” by winning the Championship and the Division One Cup. We also retained the Beds. FA Intermediate County Cup, only the second club in the competition’s history to achieve this feat. To crown our success the club were awarded the SML Special Achievement Trophy in July 1997. In the season 1997/98 we finally achieved Senior status. This was achieved not only through the endeavours of the players on the field but ultimately as a result of an extremely hard-working committee. With the help of the Biggleswade Town Council a new stand was erected, and perimeter fencing installed. And two seasons later the club erected floodlights and on the evening of 26th October

1999 we played our first-ever floodlit game at Second Meadow, Ryman League side Leighton Town were the visitors in the Bedfordshire Premier Cup. The next eleven years saw the first team led by Steve “Snowy” Wright and under his management the club continued to enjoy a very high level of League and Cup success ultimately achieving promotion to the Molten Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division and with it the opportunity to compete in the FA Cup. And under Snowy the club made three Beds FA Senior Challenge Cup final appearances, winning two of the three with victories over Stotfold (4-1) and Leighton Town (1-0) but missed out in 2006/07 going down 2-0 to Dunstable Town. Snowy’s other cup successes came in the form of the Hunts Premier Cup, North Beds Charity Cup, Hinchingbrooke Cup, the SML Division One Cup and the SML Special Achievement Award once again. The end of the 2006 2007 saw Snowy step down as manager with his assistant, Nick Burton taking over the first team reins. January 5th 2009 saw the club embark on further ambitious ground improvements. With financial backing from Biggleswade Town Council, Mid Beds District Council, and the Football Foundation we installed a 260-seater stand, fully enclosed the ground with a double turnstile entrance and players’ secure walkway which raised the ground to Grade E status. After several years of stability in terms of first team managers the next six years saw a regular turnover of first team and reserve team managers with Nick Burton, Dave Elkin and Phil Childs all taking over the first team reins for a time. At the start of the 2013 2014 season, we appointed Mick Reardon and Mark Royal as first team managers both of whom had enjoyed success as coaches at the higher levels of football. Their disciplined approach was quickly adhered to and responded to by the players and under their stewardship we achieved the highest Premier Division position in nine years and first silverware in seven years winning the North Beds Charity Cup for the first time in the club’s history. In November 2014 the club took a further positive step to realise our ambitions with the appointment of Sky Sports Presenter and renowned author, Guillem Balague as Biggleswade United’s Director of Football. Following Mick and Mark’s decision to step down at the end 2014 2015, Guillem was quick to act and recruited a new Head Coach in Cristian Colas Beccera. Cristian was assisted by former professional player, Stuart Bimson, and under their guidance the team finished in eighth spot in the Premier Division in 2017 2018 - the highest position in the club’s history. Having built a strong reputation for their outstanding coaching ability and playing philosophy Cristian and Stuart moved up to Step 3 level club, Staines Town, for the start of the 2018 2019 season. Guillem was again in search for a high-quality coach and Jimmy Martin came highly recommended by his predecessor, Colas, who worked with Jimmy at Stevenage FC Academy. Jimmy was appointed Manager in May 2018, but he tendered his resignation in October 2018 having been offered a “hard to refuse” opportunity to take up a coaching role at Premier Division club Watford. Despite the setback the first team went on to record their highest ever League placing – a fourth spot in the Premier Division. In the season 2019 2020 the club were sitting in a highly commendable third position in the Premier Division and under the management of Chris Devane and Trishnan Patel were hoping for a promotion play off opportunity. However, in March 2020 the season was declared Null and Void by the FA after the devastating outbreak of the Coronavirus. The club were also to learn that Chris and Tish- nan had

accepted the offer to work at Step 4 and departed the club at short notice. Fortunately, the club were able to call upon the services of former Head Coach Cristian Colas Cristian took the club to its highest ever position in the club’s history at the curtailment of the 20/21 season leaving us second in the table on PPG. The club applied for promotion to Step 4 but were unsuccessful. A double whammy came when the club were subjected to a lateral move to the Uhlsport United Counties League. After ten years of steady progress at Step 5 the club now face a challenging period that will require steadfastness and perseverance as we work to rebuild a squad that will once again be challenging for promotion. The club has certainly come a long way in relatively few years, but we could not have done it without the help of a very supportive Town and District Council who clearly understand the benefits of having a community-based club in Biggleswade. Our success is also very much down to a very hard-working committee who throughout the year - not just the football season - continue to volunteer their time and commitment to the club, to help it continue to thrive and be a source of enjoyment for our supporters and the Biggleswade community.

We are an independent business established over 30 years ago with a strong family heritage. The small team that started has grown to almost 300 colleagues, building reputation on customer service, reliability, and flexibility. Knowledge and reliability We believe trust and efficiency are key to building and maintaining strong relationships with our clients. As such, our priority is to deliver excellent customer service, whether by sharing technical know-how, accommodating deliveries, or offering advice on the right materials for a project. We make sure our team have extensive product knowledge and a full understanding of trades. Locations and products We supply trade professionals and homeowners in West and South London, as well as the Home Counties with a network of 10 branches and extended delivery area. Our products range from bricks and blocks, sheet and timber, aggregates and cementing to landscaping, decorating, as well as plumbing and heating. Specialist products We maintain a close relationship with our suppliers and are able to arrange specialist product delivery direct from the manufacturer. BUILDING SUPPLY SOURCING It’s always frustrating trying to get hold of some of those highly elusive or difficult to obtain products that nobody ever seems to stock. Lords Builders Merchants have the solution. Our very experienced and knowledgeable sales team who have been in the industry for many years have always worked closely with both large and small customers to source through our extensive network of suppliers those special products including reclaim materials – if we can’t get it, it isn’t out there! For more information on our building supply sourcing service call 020 8963 7530 or send your enquiry to sales@lordsbm.co.uk.

Club News Scott Walters A Scott Walters & Monique Walters update !! After a tremendous effort by everyone over the past 12 months the extension is now completed, is eternally grateful to everyone who was involved in the fund raising and the build process, he’d like to invite all those who attended the football fundraiser last year and those who couldn’t make it to this event and say a massive thank you We however don’t want the hard work to stop here, we’d like to help Scott & Monique by providing a downstairs wet room for Scott. If you could come along in the 18th November and show your support this would be fantastic. Further details contact me on 07989648778 , Antony Beamish Keith Hardy

SSML Premier Division Results & Fixtures Saturday 29th October PREM

Arlesey Town

Potton United

GCT

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

Real Bedford FC

PREM

Biggleswade United

Harpenden Town

GCT

Cockfosters

Tring Athletic

GCT

Colney Heath

Lutterworth Athletic

PREM

Hoddesdon Town

Baldock Town

PREM

Leighton Town

Leverstock Green

PREM

London Colney

Ardley United

GCT

London Tigers

Crawley Green

GCT

Northampton ONC

Shefford Town & Campton

GCT

Stotfold

St Panteleimon

Tuesday 1st November GCT

Ardley United

Pitstone & Ivinghoe

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

Beaconsfield Town FC First

PREM

Shefford Town & Campton

Baldock Town

PREM

Cockfosters

Tring Athletic

DLC

Colney Heath

Potton United

PREM

Harpenden Town

Dunstable Town

HINC

Stotfold

Blackstones

Biggleswade United

Wednesday 26th October HINC

Parson Drove

SSML Premier Division Results & Fixtures Saturday 5th November PREM Ardley United PREM Aylesbury Vale Dynamos PREM Baldock Town PREM Dunstable Town PREM Leighton Town PREM Leverstock Green PREM London Colney PREM Risborough Rangers PREM Tring Athletic

Hoddesdon Town St Panteleimon Cockfosters Stotfold Colney Heath Biggleswade United Harpenden Town Potton United Arlesey Town

Tuesday 8th November PREM Baldock Town GCT Dunstable Town PREM Leighton Town PREM Stotfold PREM Tring Athletic

Risborough Rangers Moulton Harpenden Town Colney Heath Shefford Town & Campton

Saturday 12th November PREM Arlesey Town PREM Cockfosters PREM Crawley Green PREM Hoddesdon Town PREM Leverstock Green PREM Potton United PREM Shefford Town & Campton

Colney Heath Ardley United London Colney Risborough Rangers Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Stotfold Harpenden Town

Tuesday 15th November CC Barton Rovers First CC Dunstable Town First CC Kempston Rovers First CC Leighton Town First PREM London Colney CC Shefford Town & Campton First CC Stotfold First

Arlesey Town First AFC Dunstable First Crawley Green First Biggleswade United First Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Luton Town First Bedford Town First

Wednesday 16th November PREM St Panteleimon

Leverstock Green

Alan Lee Reporting Premier Division Leverstock Green 2 Dunstable Town 2 Saturday 15th October 2022 Leverstock Green and Dunstable Town went into Saturday’s game as the last two remaining unbeaten sides in the SSML Premier Division and remained so after the game. It was an entertaining and feisty match which saw red cards on both sides, and Leverstock twice held the lead, but in the end a draw was a fair result. Leverstock started the game brightly and took an early lead in the 6th minute. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica got to the bye-line and clipped the ball into the six-yard box, where Chris Blunden met it with a skilful flick past the keeper to open the scoring. Kyle Faulkner hit a shot just wide for Dunstable in the 13th minute, but with the slope and a breeze in their favour Leverstock had much the better of the possession in the first half, although they didn’t create as many clear-cut chances as their possession merited. Dan Pett launched a number of dangerous corners into the box, and in the last minute of the half one of these caused a goalmouth scramble in which Ryan Carruthers had a shot well saved by visiting keeper Charlie Jones. Dunstable had the elements in their favour in the second half, and three minutes in they levelled the scores. A long throw into the box caused problems, and Austin Byfield did well to parry away a shot, but Harry Beaumont followed in to net the rebound. The visitors could have gone in front on 53 minutes with Faulkner clean through on goal, but Byfield produced a great save to block his shot wide. The game exploded on the hour mark as an altercation over a throw-in turned into a mass brawl, which resulted in both sides being reduced to ten men with Stefanoaica and Faulkner being shown straight red cards. Bobby Armstrong headed just over the bar from a Pett corner in the 69th minute, but in the 76th minute Leverstock went back in front with a spectacular solo goal from Rio Beach, who ran at the penalty area before launching what was probably intended as a cross, but instead drifted over the head of Jones and in off the far post for a 2-1 lead. However, the lead was short-lived. Before the restart Dunstable brought Sean Immanuel off the bench, and the substitute made an immediate impact by finishing off a Dunstable break with a shot past Byfield to level the scores in the 78th minute. Dunstable came close to a winner in the 89th minute from a corner. Immanuel’s header came back off the post, and a follow up effort from Remell Stirling was kept out by a brilliant save from man-of-thematch Byfield. Leverstock finished the game with nine men after Ibrahim Nagheeb received his second yellow card for a foul in stoppage time, but the nine men held out for their deserved point. Leverstock Green (1) 2 (Blunden 6, Beach 76) 1. Austin Byfield, 2. Adrian Pitfield, 3. Rio Beach, 18. Bobby Armstrong, 5. Alvin Kyeremeh, 6. Ibrahim Nagheeb, 7. Ethan Mooney, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. Ryan Carruthers, 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica. Subs not used: 12. Callum Moore, 14. Kurainashe Musanhi, 15. Ayomide Oke, 16. Brad Robinson, 20. Scott McGleish.

Man of the Match vs. Leighton Town Chris Blunden Walkers from Dunstable Town

First Team Results and Goal Scorers Date

Venue

Opponents

Score

02-Aug

SSML

Home

Risborough Rangers

1- 0

Won

Blunden

06-Aug

FAC

Home

Halstead Town

3- 0

Won

Mitchell-Gears, Blunden, Durnin

13-Aug

SSML

Away

Baldock Town

0- 2

Won

Kyeremeh, Blunden

16-Aug

SSML

Home

London Colney

1- 0

Won

Kyeremeh

20-Aug

FAC

Home

St Panteleimon

2- 2

Draw Beckwith, Beach

24-Aug

FAC

Away

St Panteleimon

3* - 3

Won

Pett, Carruthers, Daalberg

27-Aug

FAV

Away

Edgware & Kingsbury

2 - 2*

Lost

Kyeremeh, Beckwith

03-Sep

FAC

Away

Billericay Town

4- 1

Lost

Blunden

06-Sep

HSC

Away

Bishops Stortford

0- 5

Lost

10-Sep

PDC

Home

London Colney

P- P

13-Sep

SSML

Home

Ardley United

1- 1

Draw Blunden

17-Sep

Away

Rugby Borough

0- 2

Lost

24-Sep

SSML

Away

Stotfold

1- 1

Draw Collins

27-Sep

PDC

Home

London Colney

2* - 2

Won

01-Oct

SSML

Away

Arlesey Town

1- 1

Draw Collins

04-Oct

PDC

Home

Coney Heath

0- 1

Lost

08-Oct

SSML

Home

Shefford Town & Campton

3- 0

Won

15-Oct

SSML

Home

Dunstable Town

2- 2

Draw Blunden, Beach

25-Oct

SSML

Away

Hoddesdon Town

0- 1

Lost

29-Oct

SSML

Away

Leighton Town

1- 1

Draw Mooney

05-Nov

SSML

Home

Biggleswade Utd

12-Nov

SSML

Home

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

16-Nov

SSML

Away

St Panteleimon

19-Nov

SSML

Home

Baldock Town

22-Nov

SSML

Away

London Colney

29-Jan

SSML

Away

Crawley Green

03-Dec

SSML

Home

Harpenden Town

10-Dec

SSML

Home

Crawley Green

17-Dec

SSML

Away

Potton Utd

27-Dec

SSML

Away

Tring Athletic

02-Jan

SSML

Home

Colney Heath

07-Jan

SSML

Away

Cockfosters

14-Jan

SSML

Away

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

21-Jan

SSML

Home

St Panteleimon

28-Jan

SSML

Away

Harpenden Town

04-Feb

SSML

Home

Potton Utd

11-Feb

SSML

Away

Arlesey Town

18-Feb

SSML

Away

Dunstable Town

25-Feb

SSML

Away

Ardley United

04-Mar

SSML

Home

Hoddesdon Town

11-Mar

SSML

Away

Biggleswade Utd

18-Mar

SSML

Home

Stotfold

25-Mar

SSML

Away

Risborough Rangers

01-Apr

SSML

Home

Cockfosters

08-Apr

SSML

Away

Colney Heath

10-Apr

SSML

Home

Tring Athletic

15-Apr

SSML

Away

Shefford Town & Campton

22-Apr

SSML

Home

Leighton Town

* Won on Penalties

Goalscorers

Pitfield, Mooney

Blunden, Kyeremeh, Mitchell-Gears

Gary Fullwood Design Living. They are sponsoring the Under 18 and First Team warm up tops. Our thanks to Gary and Karl.

Alan Lee Reporting Premier Division Hoddesdon Town 1 Leverstock Green 0 Tuesday 25th October 2022 Leverstock Green’s unbeaten start to their SSML Premier Division campaign ended at the ninth game as they fell to a disappointing defeat at Hoddesdon Town. The game hinged on two penalty decisions, one given and one not, but in truth the Leverstock side faded after a bright start and didn’t create enough chances to merit getting anything out of this game. Fergus Moore’s squad was further depleted by two suspensions from the red cards in the Dunstable game, but they started the game well and for the first 25 minutes they looked the better side. In the 16th minute a great pass from George Mitchell-Gears found Chris Blunden, who sent a lob over the keeper, but it didn’t dip enough to land under the bar. A minute later Lewis Collins was through and took the ball past the keeper but was forced wide. Collins pulled the ball back to Blunden, but by now there were defenders on the line and Blunden’s shot was blocked. Ryan Carruthers hit a shot from the edge of the box just wide in the 23rd minute. The remainder of the half saw the Green side struggle to make headway against a resolute Hoddesdon defence, and the home side brought a save out of Austin Byfield in the 39th minute when Joseph Shanouda turned and shot from close range. The first controversial decision came in the 52nd minute when Hoddesdon were awarded a penalty for a challenge which looked more like it was a foul on the Leverstock player. Connor Bolton sent Byfield the wrong way from the spot to put his side 1-0 up. Hoddesdon continued to defend strongly, and chances were few and far between for the Leverstock side. Blunden tried his luck from a free kick in the 65th minute but put the ball over the bar. Hoddesdon were denied a second goal two minutes later by a goal line clearance and a header off the line from the resulting corner. Ethan Mooney had a half-chance in the 73rd minute, but his effort was saved. The second controversial decision was in the 79th minute. Blunden was taken out by the keeper as he attempted to take the ball round him, but the referee turned down appeals for a penalty, and sent Carruthers to the sinbin. Despite pushing everyone forward over the closing minutes Leverstock still couldn’t create a genuine chance, and the home side held on for their win. Leverstock Green (0) 0 1. Austin Byfield, 2. Adrian Pitfield, 3. Rio Beach, 18. Bobby Armstrong (12. George McCluskey 62 mins), 5. Alvin Kyeremeh, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Lewis Collins, 8. Ethan Mooney, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. George Mitchell-Gears, 11. Sean Walsh (16. Brad Robinson 70 mins). Subs not used: 14. Kurainashe Musanhi, 15. Ayomide Oke, 17. Darren Bonfield.

THE INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF ‘NOWT SO QUEER AS YORKSHIRE FOLK’ BY KAREN BROWNE

The Views Expressed Are Solely My Own, Are Written Tongue in Cheek And Should Be Taken With A Pinch Of Salt

TUESDAY 25th OCTOBER / WEDNESDAY 26th OCTOBER MIDWEEK STATISTICS Midweek Stats: 13 games played of which 6 were home wins, 4 away wins and 3 draws. Midweek Stats: The 13 games produced a total of 51 goals, an average of 3.92 per game. Taylor Rhiney (Biggleswade United) and Jordy Ngathe (Ardley United) bagging hat tricks.

PREMIER DIVISION Premier Division leaders Crawley Green appear to be wobbling as they suffered their third league defeat in their last six outings, this one coming at home against Risborough Rangers, the visitors winning 2-1. Stotfold reduced the gap at the top to a single point as they overcame bottom club London Colney, the hosts running out 3-1 winners. Hoddesdon Town ended the unbeaten league record of visiting Leverstock Green a second half penalty providing the only goal while Arlesey Town picked up a big three points following their 3-2 success at Aylesbury Vale Dynamos. Elsewhere Biggleswade United are firmly establishing themselves as potential promotion candidates following a 4-0 home success against Baldock Town while on Wednesday evening St Panteleimon were held 1-1 at home by Dunstable Town, the visitors remain the only side in the Premier Division yet to taste a league defeat.

OXFORDSHIRE SENIOR CUP First Round Ardley United made light work of Oxford Senior League side Ashton Folly in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup First Round, the higher ranked hosts strolling to a 9-0 win with Jordy Ngathe netting a hat-trick.

DIVISION ONE CUP Second Round There was plenty of drama in the Second Round of the Division One Cup on Tuesday night with the Ampthill Town v Amersham Town tie leading the way, a goalless first half led to the hosts tweeting ‘Half Time! Watching our subs smash balls into an empty net during the break will be more entertaining’. Well, whatever was said in the dressing room or put into the half time tea certainly had an effect, the visitors looked to be cruising as they found themselves 2-0 up with eight minutes left before the drama unfolded with the hosts turning the tie on its head with the perfect comeback of three goals the last of which was a screamer in stoppage time. Holmer Green forgot their poor league form and booked their quarter-final place with a 4-0 win at Buckingham Athletic while Moulton FC required a penalty shoot-out to advance at Rushden & Higham United following a 1-1 draw. Elsewhere high-flying Eaton Socon laboured to a solitary goal win at bottom club Burton Park Wanderers while London Tigers thumped Thame United Reserves 5-2 in a game that attracted just five spectators. The remaining tie saw Winslow United and visitors Letchworth Garden City Eagles share four goals before the hosts progressed 8-7 in the penalty shoot-out.

Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Table 1st November 2022 Team

PTS

1 Crawley Green

2 Stotfold

3 Shefford Town & Campton

4 Biggleswade United

5 Leighton Town

6 Dunstable Town

7 Potton United

8 St Panteleimon

9 Leverstock Green

10 Risborough Rangers

11 Tring Athletic

-8

13 Harpenden Town

-2

14 Ardley United

15 Baldock Town

-11

16 Hoddesdon Town

-12

17 Arlesey Town

-8

19 Colney Heath

-11

20 London Colney

-19

12 Cockfosters

18 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

Club

Sponsor

ARDLEY UNITED

Deckchair Pete

ARLESEY TOWN

Garry Harvey www.emtrg.co.uk

AYLESBURY VALE DYNAMOS

KitAid – www.kitaid.net

BALDOCK TOWN

Steve Cubitt

BIGGLESWADE UNITED

Roger Stokes

COCKFOSTERS

Jim Doble

COLNEY HEATH

Dean Bradford

CRAWLEY GREEN DUNSTABLE TOWN

Keith Pym – The Railway Men Emma Smart

HARPENDEN TOWN

Alison & Keith Jacobs

HODDESDON TOWN

Jim Doble

LEIGHTON TOWN

Leverstock Green U18

LONDON COLNEY

Jamie Herd

POTTON UNITED

Deckchair Pete

RISBOROUGH RANGERS

Tony Smart

SHEFFORD TOWN & CAMPTON

STOTFOLD

Nick Payne https://www.justgiving.com/f undraising/dawnpayne44 Garry Harvey www.emtrg.co.uk

ST PANTELEIMON

Craig Ringsell

TRING ATHLETIC

Tony Smart

HALSTEAD TOWN FA CUP

Keith Pym

ST PANTELEIMON FA Cup

Stephen Hale

LONDON COLNEY (PDC)

Peter Fraser

Alan Lee Reporting Premier Division Leighton Town 1 Leverstock Green 1 Saturday 29th October 2022 Leverstock Green travelled to meet one of the favourites for the SSML Premier Division title and came away with a well-deserved point from what was an excellent game of football against Leighton Town. Leverstock lost both their centre-backs during the game but still successfully held off the threat from the Leighton side. With his squad hit by injuries and suspensions, Fergus Moore brought two new signings into the side for this game – centre back Kraig McLeod, previously with Enfield Town and winger Brian Testolin, on loan from Hadley. The home side attacked straight from the kick-off and had the ball in the Leverstock six-yard box within the opening 20 seconds, but it was scrambled away. At the other end in the 3rd minute Testolin got on the end of a ball from Chris Blunden and hit a shot which brought a save out of home keeper Xavi Comas. There was a controversial moment in the 6th minute when Comas appeared to handle the ball well outside the area to keep out a lob from Ethan Mooney, but nothing was given. Leighton took the lead in the 12th minute from a corner. Kyle Connolly crossed to the far post where Reece Robins had a free header into the opposite corner of the net. Five minutes later Leverstock had a great chance to equalise on the break when Blunden burst clean through, but Comas produced a superb save to tip his shot over the bar. There was another great save ten minutes later, this time from Leverstock keeper Austin Byfield. A ball down the left put the division’s top scorer Leon Lobjoit clean through, but Byfield’s outstretched arm somehow turned away Lobjoit’s attempted chip. Leverstock lost the first of their centre-backs when Alvin Kyeremeh had to go off injured in the 31st minute, to be replaced by Scott McGleish. Four minutes later Byfield pulled off another superb save to turn a shot from Robins round the post. That save proved to be crucial. From the resulting corner Leverstock broke away. Testolin had a run at goal and hit a low shot which Comas could only parry, and Mooney followed in to net the loose ball and level the scores at 1-1. Half time saw another change as the other centre-back McLeod was too ill to continue. George Mitchell-Gears came on in his place, with skipper Dan Pett dropping back to fill the centre-back position. The second half saw fewer chances than the first, and it was Leverstock who had the better of those chances. In the 63rd minute Blunden was just wide with a free kick from distance. On 71 minutes Testolin had the ball in the net from a Ryan Carruthers free kick but it was ruled out for handball. Three minutes later Testolin became the third forced substitution of the game as he had to be carried off injured to be replaced by Lewis Collins. The nearest miss of all was in the 81st minute when Mitchell-Gears headed inches wide from a Carruthers cross. At the other end, Leighton did not bring a save out of Byfield throughout the half, with the keeper only having to catch routine crosses. The only sour note for Leverstock was the dismissal of Fergus Moore by the referee for kicking a ball away in frustration. But there is no doubt that the point they earned was the least they deserved from this game. Leverstock Green (1) 1 (Mooney 36) 1. Austin Byfield, 2. Adrian Pitfield, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Alvin Kyeremeh (20. Scott McGleish 31 mins), 5. Kraig McLeod (14. George Mitchell-Gears H/T), 6. Ibrahim Nagheeb, 7. Brian Testolin (12. Lewis Collins 74 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. Ryan Carruthers, 11. Ethan Mooney. Subs not used: 15. Kurainashe Musanhi, 16. Oran Swales.

Player Sponsorship £50 per Player Player Adrian Pitfield Sean Walsh Ryan Carruthers Daniel Weeks Darren Bonfield Ethan Mooney Fergus Moore Rio Beach Ibrahim Nagheeb Elgeniy Daalberg Cam Gaffeny Scott McGleish George Mitchell-Gears Lewis Collins Luke Beckwith Kai Stonnell Dan Pett Bradley Robinson Alvin Kyeremeh Chris Blunden Ollie Cox Alfie Herd George McCluskey Austin Byfield Luke Durnin Bobby Armstrong

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Peter Jerram & Bob Foster Keith Pym LORDS Builders Merchants Dean Bradford LORDS Builders Merchants Deckchair Pete Alan Lee Rob Webb LORDS Builders Merchants George Kent – Leyton Orient Focus Scaffolding Emma Smart Deckchair Pete Emma Smart Alan Lee Tony Smart Jamie Herd Carole Pym Jamie Herd Tony Smart Steve Byrne

First Team Appearances & Goalscorers APPEARANCES Player Ryan Carruthers Alvin Kyeremeh Lewis Collins Rio Beach Chris Blunden Ethan Mooney Ibrahim Nagheeb Bradley Robinson George Mitchell-Gears Dan Pett Scott McGleish Adrian Pitfield Elgenly Daalberg Austin Byfield Luke Beckwith Sean Walsh Bobby Armstrong Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica Josh Mollison Dan Weeks Luke Durnin Kai Stonnell Kurainashe Musanhi Ayomide Oke Oscar Frost George McCluskey Brian Testolin Kraig McLeod Sean Lockehart Robbie Emanuels James Collins

SSML 10 10 9 9 8 8 8 7 7 6 4 7 4 6 4 4 6 4 3 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0

PDC 2 2 2 1 1 2 0 0 2 2 2 2 1 1 0 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

CC 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

HSC 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FA Cup 4 4 4 4 4 2 3 4 3 2 3 0 3 1 3 1 0 0 3 3 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

FA Vase 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Total 19 18 16 16 15 14 13 13 13 12 12 11 11 10 10 10 7 7 7 7 6 4 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

GOALSCORERS Player Chris Blunden Alvin Kyeremeh Lewis Collins George Mitchell-Gears Rio Beach Ethan Mooney Luke Beckwith Luke Durnin Dan Pett Ryan Carruthers Adrian Pitfield Elgenly Daalberg

SSML 6 3 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

PDC 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0

CC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

HSC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FA Cup 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1

FA Vase 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Total 8 4 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1

THE INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF ‘NOWT SO QUEER AS YORKSHIRE FOLK’ BY KAREN BROWNE

The Views Expressed Are Solely My Own, Are Written Tongue in Cheek And Should Be Taken With A Pinch Of Salt

SATURDAY 29th OCTOBER WEEKEND STATISTICS Weekend Stats: 24 games played of which 10 were home wins, 11 away wins and 3 draws. Weekend Stats: The 24 games produced a total of 81 goals, an average of 3.38 per game. Sam Lockley (Rugby Borough) and Kadeem Gutzmore (Totternhoe) led the way with a four goal hauls while Taylor Rhiney (Biggleswade United) and Jack Kimber (Codicote) both netted hat tricks. Weekend Highest Attendances: 403 Leighton Town v Leverstock Green, 214 Stotfold v St Panteleimon (Gladwish Challenge Trophy) and 97 Arlesey Town v Potton United.

THE GLADWISH CHALLENGE TROPHY First Round The Gladwish Challenge Trophy First Round saw none of the seven ties produce any shocks on Saturday, in an all Premier Division affair Stotfold required penalties to overcome visiting St Panteleimon after it had finished 1-1 while Colney Heath saw off the challenge of Division One side and league newcomers Lutterworth Athletic, the hosts winning 2-0. In all Division One ties hosts Northampton Sileby Rangers beat Langford 2-0 while Eaton Socon were 4-1 winners at Buckingham Athletic. Elsewhere there were two all Division Two affairs with Bovingdon winning 3-1 at home against Buckingham United while Milton Keynes College Football Academy enjoyed a 3-2 success at home against Eynesbury United. In the remaining First Round tie Division One side Wellingborough Whitworth saw off the challenge of Division Two side Sarratt, the hosts winning by the odd goal in five (more on this later in the ramblings).

THE GLADWISH CHALLENGE TROPHY Second Round Saturday saw four Gladwish Challenge Trophy Second Round matches take place with two cup upsets, Division One side Northampton ON Chenecks defeated visiting Premier Division Shefford Town & Campton 2-1 while a solitary goal was enough to see Division One leaders Real Bedford FC progress at the expense of Premier Division Aylesbury Vale Dynamos. Elsewhere Cockfosters defeated visiting Tring Athletic 1-0 on an all Premier Division clash while Premier Division table toppers Crawley Green enjoyed a 4-1 win at Division One side London Tigers.

PREMIER DIVISION Biggleswade United now sit third in the Premier Division following a 3-1 win at home against Harpenden Town while Leighton Town drop to fourth after being held to a 1-1 draw against visiting Leverstock Green in front of a crowd in excess of 400. Elsewhere Potton United find themselves in seventh place after winning by a solitary goal at neighbours Arlesey Town while bottom club London Colney suffered their eleventh defeat when going down 0-3 at home against Ardley United. In the days other league action Baldock Town enjoyed a 3-1 win at Hoddesdon Town.

DIVISION ONE Amersham Town closed the gap on Division One leaders Real Bedford FC to twelve points following their narrow 1-0 success at struggling Holmer Green while in the days other league action Rugby Borough lifted themselves to just outside the play-off places with an emphatic 7-1 home success against another of the struggling clubs Thame United Reserves.

DIVISION TWO New Bradwell St Peter climbed to second place level on points with leaders Leighton Town Development following their 2-1 win at Berkhamsted Raiders while Codicote are fifth after winning impressively at Pitstone & Ivinghoe, the visitors running out 7-1 winners. In the days other league action a solitary first half penalty was enough to see Tring Corinthians AFC claim maximum points from their trip to Risborough Rangers Development.

DIVISION TWO CUP Second Round Potton United Development booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Division Two Cup thanks to a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw at high flying Aston Clinton.

ANAGRAM RECORDS TROPHY Second Round AFC Caddington hopes in the Anagram Records Trophy ended with a Second Round home defeat against Bush Hill Rangers, the visitors winning 3-1.

BEDS SENIOR TROPHY First Round Totternhoe safely secured their passage into the next round of the Beds Senior Trophy with a 4-1 home success against Beds County League side Stotfold Development.

COMMITTEE AWAYDAYS SSMFL Board & Committee member Bob Flight was at Wellingborough Whitworth and pens the following report:On a bright sunny day in Northants and on a perfect pitch, Wellingborough Whitworth hosted Sarratt in the Gladwish Trophy first round. Before the match, Wellingborough were presented with the SSMFL September Respect & Fair Play Award by Board member Bob Flight. A spirited performance from second division Sarratt made it an uncomfortable afternoon for the first division home team. Whilst Wellingborough had most of the ball in the first half, they were constantly caught on the break by Sarratt. It was from an early breakaway that Sarratt had their first chance but the home keeper made a good save. However, the lesson was not learnt and from another break Sarratt scored on just 6 minutes when their player shot home the rebound after seeing a shot saved by the keeper. Back came the home team and they equalised when Remy Brittan scored on 12 minutes. Once again Wellingborough were caught out and Sarratt scored again after a shot had hit the crossbar and the rebound was stabbed home on 24 minutes. In an eventful first half Wellingborough scored a second equalising goal as Brittan hit his second from an acute angle on 43 minutes. Thus the half ended all square. The second half began evenly but Wellingborough were soon in front for the first time when Connor Mallows headed in from a free kick on 55 minutes. The home spectators expected their team to go on and extend their lead but the reverse was true as Sarratt began to dominate the half but with little to show for it, on 73 minutes Wellingborough were thrown a lifeline when their player was fouled in the Sarratt penalty area. However, they spurned the chance as the Sarratt keeper made a great save from the penalty kick. The remainder of the game saw Sarratt pressure the home defence but some strong defending and some weak finishing enabled Wellingborough to see out the game and go through to the next round. Sarratt would have left feeling disappointed but they matched their higher division opponents which must bode well for their remaining league games.

AND FINALLY The result of this week’s Team of the Day Poll with 78 votes cast is: Codicote 41.0% Rugby Borough 37.2% Biggleswade United 11.5% Real Bedford FC 10.3% The Non-League Show on Three Counties Radio (Herts, Beds & Bucks) has returned with a new day and time. It will air live between 12-2pm every Saturday. The show presented by Ollie Bayliss will reflect on the previous week’s big news and stories as well as promoting and reviewing matches later that afternoon. For those who missed it then you can catch up here:https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0d9462c

League President Eric Harrison presents Rugby Borough with their Division One Team of the Month award

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Team

Competition Opponents

Day

Kick Off

10-Nov

U18

Corinthian

Colney Heath

Thursday