HITCHIN SUNDAY LEAGUE - CURRENT LEAGUE TABLES & SUNDAY FIXUTRES

SUNDAY 3rd DECEMBER

Division One

FC Inter Malone v Squirrel Taverners 

Division Two

Sandon v Buffs

Division Two Cup First Round 

St Ippolyts v The Cock 

Division Two Cup Quarter Finals

Ashwell v Troll Campbell

GSS v Hitchin Rovers 

Division Three Cup Quarter Finals

Cronies v Lea Sports PSG 

Down and Under v Niche 

Feed Up Warm Up v North Herts Hatters 

Saint Evenage v Khoi Khoi

Bedfordshire FA Sunday Junior Cup Round Three 

Heath v Arlesey Town

Stotfold Juniors v Blunham Sunday 

Hertfordshire FA Sunday Senior Sunday Cup Round Three

Brookmans Park v Chells Rovers

North Baldock v Atletico 99 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE - A WEEKEND PREVIEW

NORTHAMPTON ON CHENECKS ARE CURRENTLY LEADING THE WAY IN DIVISION ONE AND LOOK FAVOURITES FOR THE TITLE

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CURRENT TABLE 

TOP TEN ONLY

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM
1.	NORTHAMPTON ON CHENECKS	17	14	3	0	55	13	+42	45	WWDWWW
2.	MOULTON	19	11	5	3	49	22	+27	38	WDWWWW
3.	NORTHAMPTON SILEBY RANGERS	17	11	3	3	49	20	+29	36	LWWWWL
4.	AMPTHILL TOWN	18	10	5	3	52	25	+27	34*	LWDWWW
5.	WINSLOW UNITED	18	10	4	4	40	26	+14	34	WWLWDD
6.	WELLINGBOROUGH WHITWORTH	14	10	3	1	37	18	+19	33	WDDWWL
7.	ROYSTON TOWN u23	16	10	2	4	42	27	+15	32	WWWWWW
8.	LANGFORD	21	9	2	10	46	35	+11	29	WLLWWL
9.	LEIGHTON TOWN DEVELOPMENT	15	9	2	4	33	27	+6	29	WWWLWL
10.	HUNTINGDON TOWN	19	7	4	8	32	39	-7	25	DWLWLW

Northampton ON Chenecks are seven points clear at the top of the Spartan South Midlands League Division One with two games in hand over Moulton in second place. The Chens are favourites to go one better than last season where they were runner's up to Real Bedford before losing to Rugby Borough in the play-off final. 

It's a Northampton 1-2-3 in the top three at the moment with just two miles separating Moulton and Northampton Sileby Ranger's grounds and then around four miles to The Old Northamptonians Sports Ground.

ON Chenecks are currently unbeaten in league games - Their next two games are away from home at 13th placed Rothwell Corinthians on Saturday and then 18th placed Irchester United on Saturday 9th December. 

Moulton travel to Buckingham FC on Saturday who recorded a brilliant 0-1 win at Northampton Sileby Rangers last weekend.

Burton Park Wanderers are bottom of the table with just two wins in nineteen games. Their two victories came at Letchworth GC Eagles (1-2) and Huntingdon Town (2-5). 

They are next in action in the league on Saturday 16th December when they travel to Langford. 

SATURDAY 2nd DECEMBER - WEEKEND FIXTURES 

DIVISION ONE 

Buckingham v Moulton 

Letchworth Garden City Eagles v Cranfield United

Rothwell Corinthians v Northampton ON Chenecks 

Royston Town u23 v Wellingborough Whitworth 

Winslow United v Ampthill Town

GLADWISH CHALLENGE TROPHY FIRST ROUND 

Tring Athletic v Long Buckby 

BEDFORDSHIRE FA SENIOR TROPHY SECOND ROUND  

AFC Oakley v Langford

Elstow Abbey v Leighton Town Development 

SPARTAN PREMIER DIVISION WEEKEND PREVIEW

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM
1.	REAL BEDFORD	17	15	1	1	61	12	+49	46	WWWWWW
2.	MK IRISH	16	13	2	1	54	10	+44	41	WWWWDW
3.	LEVERSTOCK GREEN	18	11	2	5	40	32	+8	35	WWWLDW
4.	ST PANTELEIMON	16	10	4	2	36	17	+19	34	WWWDWD
5.	FC ROMANIA	19	10	3	6	48	34	+14	33	DWWWLL
6.	BIGGLESWADE UTD	16	8	3	5	39	35	+4	27	LWLLLW
7.	HARPENDEN TOWN	15	7	4	4	32	26	+6	25	LLDWDW
8.	COCKFOSTERS	16	6	6	4	35	27	+8	24	WDWDWW

CHAMPIONS AND PROMOTION TO STEP FOUR

QUALIFICATION FOR THE PLAY OFFS

Real Bedford went five points clear of the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division with a 3-1 home win over Potton United on Tuesday evening. It was impressively their tenth league win in a row.

They are closely followed by Milton Keynes Irish who are unbeaten in fifteen league games - their only league defeat so far was 1-0 away at Real Bedford on the opening day of the season. 

Real Bedford's only defeat came at home to St Panteleimon who won 1-4 at McMullen Park on Saturday 16th September. 

Leverstock Green, under the management of Fergus Moore, are having a brilliant season and are currently in third place of the table. 

FC Romania and Biggleswade United have dropped down the table in recent weeks. FCR lost 3-2 at Leverstock Green on Saturday and then yesterday evening lost 1-7 at home to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos in one of the surprise results of the season so far. 

United have lost four of their last six league games and also were knocked out of the Gladwish Challenge Trophy at Division Two side Sarratt last weekend who recorded a memorable 1-0 victory. 

They did knock Real Bedford out of the Isuzu FA Vase in the last round and welcome Midland Football League Premier Division side Whitchurch Alport for a much anticipated Third Round tie on Saturday. 

London Lions are also in Vase action welcoming Step Six side Stanway Pegasus to Rowley Lane at the weekend. 

GOOD LUCK TO BOTH SIDES - LET'S HOPE BOTH ARE IN THE HAT FOR THE FOURTH ROUND DRAW ON MONDAY AFTERNOON. 

Harpenden Town (7th) v Real Bedford is probably the league game of the day on Saturday. Town have an average crowd of 189 for league games so far this season - there is bound to be a decent attendance at the new look Rothamsted Park with it's state of the art artificial pitch for this game especially with the current frosty and freezing conditions locally likely to put some games on grass pitches in doubt. 

Sawbridgeworth Town are cut adrift at the bottom of the table on four points with Arlesey Town and Stansted above them on twelve points. Sawbo are without a league win so far and travel to Baldock Town on Saturday who beat them 1-2 earlier in the season. 

 

SATURDAY 2nd DECEMBER FIXTURES 

PREMIER DIVISION

Baldock Town v Sawbridgeworth Town

Crawley Green v Dunstable Town 

FC Romania v Arlesey Town

Harpenden Town v Real Bedford

Leverstock Green v Potton United

Shefford Town & Campton v St Panteleimon

Stansted v Colney Heath

GLADWISH CHALLENGE TROPHY FIRST ROUND

Tring Athletic v Long Buckby 

ISUZU FA VASE THIRD ROUND 

Biggleswade United v Whitchurch Alport

London Lions v Stanway Pegasus

ISTHMIAN PREMIER DIVISION WEEKEND PREVIEW

TWELVE GAME WINNING RUN

Will Hornchurch FC be stopped at the top of the table? If they continue on their current scoring record of 3.13 goals per game they will have a total of around 131 by the end of the 42 game season. 

Steve Morison's side are currently on a very impressive winning run of twelve league games in a row. 

Hornchurch's next games come against Whitehawk at home on Saturday followed by a midweek trip to Concord Rangers and then a huge game at currently second placed Chatham Town on Saturday 16th December. They are currently 11 points clear of The Chats with one game in hand over the Kent side. 

Billericay Town, Enfield Town and Wingate & Finchley make up the rest of the play-off places with Hastings United, Canvey Island, Hashtag United and Horsham in 6th to 9th position. 

Horsham have games in hand due to the Emirates FA Cup run where they travel to League Two Sutton United in the Second Round on Saturday. The Hornets were re-instated to the competition following the 0-3 First Round replay defeat to Barnsley. They Tykes were adjudged to have played an ineligible player in the game at The Camping World Community Stadium. 

For me there are two games of the day on Saturday as Wingate & Finchley (5th) host Billericay Town (3rd) and Hashtag United (8th) hosting Canvey Island (7th) - The Gulls will be buoyed by their midweek 3-2 home win over Chatham Town. 

At the bottom of the table Kingstonian (20th) hosting Potters Bar Town (19th) is a huge game for both clubs. The Scholars have had a good 1-0 win at home to Whitehawk last Saturday and a 2-2 draw at Dulwich Hamlet in midweek. Kingstonian were 3-1 up at half-time at home to South-Central Division side Westfield in the Specsavers Surrey Senior Cup Second Round on Wednesday evening but the game ended 3-3. The K's went through 5-4 on penalty kicks. 

SOME FACTS AND STATS ON THE SEASON SO FAR 

HARINGEY BOROUGH are the only side yet to record a home win. They have drawn three and lost five of their games at Coles Park so far. 

KINGSTONIAN are the only side yet to record an away win. The K's have drawn two and lost six of their games on their travels. The two draws both ended 2-2 at Haringey Borough on Saturday 18th November and at Hashtag United on Saturday 16th September. They last away game was an incredible 5-4 defeat at Cheshunt on Tuesday 21st November. 

Only table topper's HORNCHURCH and 13th placed BOGNOR REGIS TOWN are without a defeat at home. The Urchins are still unbeaten away from home as well. 

DULWICH HAMLET, CHATHAM TOWN and HORSHAM all have four-figure average attendance figures for league games. Hamlet currently have an average of 2,345 with The Chats on 1,214 and The Hornets on 1,006. 

WINGATE & FINCHLEY currently have the lowest figure with an average attendance of 170 over their nine home league games so far. The North London club's supporter's are known to celebrate the fact they have 'more flags than fans' - The 170 figure is up from an average of 151 over their 21 league games at home last season.  

HARINGEY BOROUGH have not won a league game in seven games. They have drawn four and lost three of those seven games. 

MARGATE are without a victory in six league games with three defeats and three draws. Their last game was an impressive 2-2 draw at fortress Nyewood Lane where Bognor Regis Town scored an 88th minute equaliser to keep their unbeaten home record in tact.

SATURDAY 2nd DECEMBER FIXTURES 

PREMIER DIVISION

Carshalton Athletic v Cheshunt 

Concord Rangers v Lewes 

Dulwich Hamlet v Bognor Regis Town 

Enfield Town v Margate

Folkestone Invicta v Cray Wanderers 

Haringey Borough v Chatham Town 

Hashtag United v Canvey Island 

Hornchurch v Whitehawk 

Kingstonian v Potters Bar Town

Wingate & Finchley v Billericay Town

EMIRATES FA CUP SECOND ROUND 

Sutton United v Horsham 

LEAGUE TABLES USED COURTEST OF FOOTBALLWEBPAGES.CO.UK

ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE LADYWELL ARENA FOR THE TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM
1.	AFC WHYTELEAFE	14	11	2	1	44	17	+27	35	WDWWWW
2.	LEWISHAM BOROUGH	12	10	1	1	36	13	+23	31	WWDDWW

It's the Southern Counties East Division One game of the season so far on Saturday as all roads lead to The Ladywell Arena where Lewisham Borough host AFC Whyteleafe for a top of the table clash. 

AFC Whyteleafe are currently top with eleven wins, two draws and only one defeat from their fourteen league games played. Their only defeat came at home to Larkfield & New Hythe on Saturday 30th September with their two draws also at home to Croydon and Staplehurst Monarchs. 

Lewisham Borough's only defeat in their twelve league games came on Saturday 2nd September at Rochester United who won 1-0. They also dropped points at home in a 1-1 draw against FC Elmstead. They got revenge against Rochester United last weekend with a 4-1 home win in front of 120 people. The three points were won despite them being reduced to 10 men on 51 minutes and 9 men on 87 minutes. 

Bryan Zepo has been the goalscoring hero for Lewisham Borough this season netting 14 goals in 16 league and cup games. Aaron Watson also has 14 goals in 15 league and cup games for The Leafe. 

AFC were formed in 2021 following the demise and withdrawal from the Isthmian League South-Central Division of Whyteleafe FC. Last season was the new club's first at Step 6 of the non-league ladder where they finished in 8th place of the Southern Counties East Division One. 

Regular reader's of The Cold End will know I'm a big fan of Lewisham Borough. Their average crowd for league games this season is currently 108 with their biggest crowd being 190 for the local derby against Forest Hill Park. Hopefully there might be a 200+ attendance on Saturday for the big game! 

HERTFORDSHIRE SENIOR COUNTY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION - THE SEASON SO FAR

CURRENT TABLE - TOP FIVE ONLY

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM
1.	BELSTONE	13	12	1	0	39	10	+29	37	WWWDWW
2.	CHIPPERFIELD CORINTHIANS	15	12	1	2	44	21	+23	37	WWLWWW
3.	HATFIELD TOWN	15	10	2	3	62	26	+36	32	LWLWWD
4.	HERTFORD HEATH	14	8	4	2	40	16	+24	28	WWDDDW
5.	CUFFLEY	13	9	1	3	40	20	+20	28	LLWWWD

Belstone, with their two games in hand at the top of the table, are looking very good in the Herts Senior County Premier Division but they are very closely followed by Chipperfield Corinthians who are level on points with them.  

The two title rivals have played each other twice so far with Belstone winning 1-3 in the league in early October with goals from Michael Babalola, Chris Blunden and Mitchell Swain. 

Corinthians got some revenge in The Norman Appleby Trophy First Round on Saturday 18th November with a 7-6 win on penalty kicks following a 0-0 draw in normal time. 

Belstone have only dropped points in one game being another 0-0 draw at Colney Heath Reserves. 

Chipperfield Corinthians only other defeat was a 2-1 loss at Cuffley with 2-2 draw at Buntingford Town early in the season. 

Third placed Hatfield Town love to score goals netting an average of .... per game but their three defeats at home to Belstone (2-3), Hinton (1-2) and Cuffley (0-2) see's them five points behind the current top two teams.

Hertford Heath finished in eighth place on their return to the top division last season and are currently placed in a respectable fourth place winning eight of their fourteen games so far.

Cuffley are also well placed in fifth place with an impressive nine wins from thirtreen league games played. 

Last season's champion's Bush Hill Rangers, who pipped Belstone and Chipperfield Corinthians to the title by just two points, are currently in sixth place. They suffered a shock defeat in The Norman Appleby Trophy Second Round last weekend losing 2-0 at Divison One side Westmill whose goal scoring heroes were Charlie Rome and Louie Debnam. Rangers have an Enfield derby on Saturday when they travel to Hinton. 

TOP SCORERS - LEAGUE GAMES ONLY

BELSTONE - KACI HENRY - 13 GOALS (13 GAMES) 

CHIPPERFIELD CORINTHIANS - ADRIAN ABRAMIAN - 9 GOALS (11) 

HATFIELD TOWN - EBEN MBONA - 15 GOALS (12)

HERTFORD HEATH - JAMIE MARSHALL 16 GOALS (14) 

CUFFLEY - DANIEL JONES - 11 GOALS (11)*

*AWAITS STATS FROM RECENT GAME WITH APSLEY ARGYLE 

CURRENT TABLE - BOTTOM THREE

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS	FORM
16.	LEMSFORD	16	2	3	11	23	51	-28	9	LLLLLL
17.	LEVERSTOCK GREEN DEVELOPMENT	15	3	0	12	23	57	-34	9	LLLLWL
18.	BALDOCK TOWN RESERVES	14	2	2	10	26	48	-22	8	LDWLLW

At the bottom of the table it's been a difficult season for Baldock Town Reserves but they will be encouraged by a draw (against Apsley Argyle) and two wins (against Buntingford Town and Lemsford) in their last six games which has also seen them lose 0-2 to Leverstock Green Development who are just above them in the table. 

This coming Saturday the bottom two teams have difficult looking games with Baldock going to free scoring Hatfield Town and Leverstock Green travelling to table topper's Belstone. 

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

SATURDAY 2nd DECEMBER

PREMIER DIVISION 

Belstone v Leverstock Green Development 

Buntingford Town v Lemsford 

Hinton v Bush Hill Rangers 

Apsley Argyle v Oracle Components

Colney Heath Reserves v London Lions Development

Hatfield Town v Baldock Town Reserves

Hertford Heath v Chipperfield Corinthians 

NORMAL APPLEBY TROPHY SECOND ROUND 

Evergreen v Cockfosters Reserves 

Hemel Hempstead Rovers v Everett Rovers

Owens v Cuffley 

ANAGRAM RECORDS TROPHY 

Larkspur Rovers v Sandridge Rovers

SATURDAY 9th DECEMBER 

PREMIER DIVISION

Baldock Town Reserves v Hertford Heath

Lemsford v Belstone 

Sandridge Rovers v Leverstock Green Development 

Apsley Argyle v Bush Hill Rangers

Cockfosters Reserves v Everett Rovers

Colney Heath Reserves v Cuffley 

Hatfield Town v Buntingford Town 

HERTS FA SENIOR CENTENARY TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL

Oracle Components v Oxhey Jets 

NORMAN APPLEBY TROPHY FIRST ROUND 

Hinton v Hatfield United 

NORMAN APPLEBY TROPHY SECOND ROUND 

Chipperfield Corinthians v London Lions Development 

TUESDAY 12th DECEMBER 

HERTS FA SENIOR CENTENARY TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL 

Hoddesdon Town v Cuffley 

SATURDAY 15th DECEMBER

PREMIER DIVISION 

Cockfosters Reserves v Buntingford Town

Hinton v Hatfield Town 

Lemsford v  London Lions Development 

Oracle Components v Chipperfield Corinthians 

Apsley Argyle v Baldock Town Reserves

Bush Hill Rangers v Belstone 

Everett Rovers v Cuffley 

Leverstock Green Development v Colney Heath Reserves 

NORMAN APPLEBY TROPHY FIRST ROUND 

AFC Welwyn Development v Hertford Heath

SATURDAY 23rd DECEMBER 

PREMIER DIVISION 

Baldock Town Reserves v London Lions Development

Hinton v Belstone 

Lemsford v Chipperfield Corinthians

Oracle Components v Apsley Argyle

Bush Hill Rangers v Cockfosters Reserves

Everett Rovers v Leverstock Green Development 

Hertford Heath v Buntingford Town 

Sandridge Rovers v Cuffley 

NORMAN APPLEBY TROPHY SECOND ROUND 

Colney Heath Reserves v Hatfield Town 

THE DUCKS MAKE AMAZING COME BACK TO WIN AT WARE

On league positions Ware were considered favourites for this Southern League Division One (Central) game on Saturday when Aylesbury United visited Wodson Park. 

The hosts, who have been beaten in the play-off final for the last two seasons, are once again placed towards the top of the table in 5th place prior to kick off with The Ducks down in 17th. 

Ware started well forcing a brilliant save from James Callan  to keep the score at 0-0 in the opening minutes. Aylesbury United were then much the better side having two great opportunities to score prior to half time. 

After the break Ware raced into a two goal lead via Liam Dulson (who started the season at Isthmian Premier Division Potters Bar Town but then moved back to Ware) and former Witham Town striker Ramiah Mills who has a very unique somersault goal celebration. 

Massive credit to Aylesbury United who, when many teams would of folded being 2-0 down away from home, continued to play some good football. I thought their stand out player was Max Cavana in the centre of midfield. The American born player who can also play in defence is currently on loan from League One side Wycombe Wanderers where he is part of their development team having signed in the summer. 

David Lynn scored on 60 minutes and then defender Derek Feyi rose at the back post to head home a cross following a short corner on 89 minutes to the delight of the travelling fans amongst the crowd of 142 people. There was some great support for The Ducks - I particularly liked the Christmas themed chant to Mike Oldfield's 'In Dulci Jubilo'. 

There was more drama to come as Justin Dass who was making his debut for Aylesbury scored the winner with a 94th minute header - the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line. The 21 year old winger recently joined from Spartan South Midlands Premier Division side Crawley Green - He played for Newport Pagnell Town and Yaxley last season. 

On the final whistle The Ducks celebrated with their fans whilst Ware manager Paul Halsey spoke with his squad on the pitch - to say he was not happy is a slight understatement! 

MATCH HIGLIGHTS - SHORT 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - LONG

Ware and Hertford Town are right up and involved in the play-off picture this season - A crowd of 959 saw Ware win 0-2 at their local rival's back on August Bank Holiday Monday with the return game scheduled to take place at Wodson Park on Boxing Day. I think there could be a huge attendance of 1000+ at this game! 

What is incredibly sad that when I first covered Aylesbury United for THE COLD END back in February 2011 when they lost 2-0 away to Broxbourne Borough I added a 'Bring The Ducks Home' graphic to the end of the video and now we are in 2023 with Aylesbury United still without a ground they can call their own in their Town. 

It was 2006 when The Ducks lost their Buckingham Road ground and they are currently ground sharing at Chesham United which is around a 30 mile round trip for their loyal fans. They have also played at Thame United and Leighton Town.

Aylesbury's next game is tomorrow evening when they travel to Combined Counties Premier Division One North side Milton United in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup Third Round. They then host Kempston Rovers in the league on Saturday. 

I think on this showing it's clear their Manager Jack Wells is building a good competitive side so they will finish higher up the league than their current    position of 15th.  

Ware will want to get back to winning ways on their trip to Kidlington in the league next Saturday.  

AYLESBURY UNITED on THE COLD END links

Away at Broxbourne Borough - Feb 2011

Away at Oxhey Jets - Dudley Lathom SF - March 2013

Away at Baldock Town - FA Cup - Sept 2017

Home v Aylesbury FC - "El Quackico" - Jan 2019

Away at Welwyn GC - Jan 2019

BRING THE DUCKS HOME!

HUGE GAME IN THE PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN SOUTH-EAST DIVISION TOMORROW

It's the clash of the Emirates FA Cup heroes tomorrow in The Pitching In Isthmian South-East Division as current table topper's Ramsgate visit Cray Valley PM.

The Millers have four games in hand over The Rams and are currently thirteen points behind them in eighth place. 

Since Steve McKimm's side were knocked out of The FA Cup by Charlton Athletic in the First Round Replay they have lost heavily to Hampton & Richmond Borough in the Isuzu FA Trophy and followed this up with a 4-1 home win the league over Merstham on Tuesday evening in front of a crowd of 115 people. 

Excitement is building in the Kent Town for The Rams forthcoming Second Round game at League Two side AFC Wimbledon on Monday 4th December which will be live on ITV. 

Since they famously knocked out Woking in the First Round they have won all five of their league games by an aggregate score of 17-2 with impressive home crowds of 1041, 953 and 757 fans. They lost their opening game of the season at Sevenoaks Town but have since won ten league games in a row.

Striker Joe Taylor, a summer signing from Premier Division Lewes, has netted a highly impressive total of 25 goals already! 

With Cray Valley having Kyrell Lisbie (17 goals) and Freddie Parker (12) in their ranks there should be goals in this eagerly anticipated game. 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION TWO - THE RACE FOR THE TITLE

BIG GAME ON SATURDAY - THIRD v TOP OF THE TABLE 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION TWO 

CURRENT TABLE - TOP SIX ONLY 

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF-GA	GD	PTS	FORM	PPG
1.	AFC WELWYN	17	13	1	3	51-19	+32	40	WDLWWW	2.35
2.	CODICOTE	14	11	1	2	40-16	+24	34	WWWWWW	2.43
3.	NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN DEV	17	9	3	5	39-32	+7	30	WWLWWW	1.76
4.	NEW BRADWELL ST PETER	12	8	2	2	36-16	+20	26	WWWWWD	2.17
5.	MK COLLEGE	15	8	2	5	40-27	+13	26	WWWLLL	1.73
6.	OLD BRADWELL UTD	13	8	2	3	24-14	+10	26	LWWWWW	2.00

TOP SIX v TOP SIX TABLE 

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF-GA	GD	PTS
AFC WELWYN	3	3	0	0	6-2	+4	9
CODICOTE	3	2	0	1	7-8	-1	6
NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN DEV	4	1	0	3	6-10	-4	3
NEW BRADWELL ST PETER	4	2	1	1	11-5	+6	4
MK COLLEGE	5	1	1	3	10-14	-4	4
OLD BRADWELL UTD	3	1	0	2	3-4	-1	3

The race for the Spartan South Midlands League Division Two title is looking really exciting with Codicote's 2-0 victory over Totternhoe last night closing the gap to just six points to current table topper's AFC Welwyn. If New Bradwell St Peter and Old Bradwell United win their games in hand over AFC they will be in real contention too. 

For those reading this for the first time AFC Welwyn were officially formed over the summer. Their website states "We start our inaugural season in step seven of non-league football, in the Spartan South Midlands Football League Division Two. We want you to follow us in person and online as we aim to reach the football league in twelve seasons!" 

They have made a number of signings over the past few weeks. Mohammed Diaby, Marcus Painter and Tamas Amgbaduba have all joined on loan from Southern League Division One Central side Walthamstow.

Jack Bradshaw having helped Stotfold to the promotion from the Premier Division last season. The experienced defender aged 34 started his career with Stevenage Borough and has also played for Maidenhead United, Royston Town, St Ives Town, St Neots Town and Welwyn Garden City during his career. 

Archie Sayer is another former Stotfold player. He was their top scorer during the 22/23 season netting 19 goals in 34 games. He joins after a short spell with Premier Division Arlesey Town. 

Striker Leon Boyejo has also joined after starting this season with Coggeshall Town in the Essex Senior League. He has also played for Hitchin Town and Biggleswade Town and was in the Reading academy as a young player. 

Another eye catching signing was Jason Beck who joined midway through September. He is well known to many non-league fans from his time with lots of clubs including Cockfosters, Leighton Town, Hatfield Town, Hertford Town, AFC Dunstable and Royston Town. 

He played five games, scored three goals and had one red-card for The Romans. He has recently re-joined Walthamstow where he was a big part of their 21/22 Essex Senior League title winning season and is a huge fan's favourite with The Stow faithful.

Vinny Clarke has recently made the move from AFC Welwyn to Codicote. He made 14 appearances for The Romans scoring 5 goals. He has already played in 2 games for The Cod Army. 

Another connection between the two title rival's is Liam Errington who  is a former Codicote Manager. He is now Assistant Manager with AFC Welwyn and has also been an unused substitute on one occasion so may play a few games for The Romans. 

As mentioned last season's champion's Old Bradwell United and runner's up New Bradwell St Peter are arguably best placed to also be involved in the title race if they win their games in hand. 

Old Bradwell United scored a incredible 135 goals in 32 league games last season Scott Valentine netted 30 in 37 league and cup games last season and has got 7 in 9 games so far this season. 

Nico Gilberti has scored 15 goals in 12 league and cup games for New Bradwell St Peter with Luke Burrows (who scored 30 in 33 games last season) on 7 goals in 10 games. 

AFC Welwyn have an average crowd of 79 for their league games with a top figure of 108 versus The 61 FC (Luton) back in August. It's all pointing towards a really enticing New Year's local derby against Codicote on Saturday 30th December - Wouldn't it be amazing to see 200+ at this game? 

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES 

Saturday 25th November

Caddington v Bovingdon 

Milton Keynes College v Eynesbury United

Milton Keynes Irish Reserves v Codicote

New Bradwell St Peter v Berkhamsted Raiders 

Newport Pagnell Town Dev v AFC Welwyn

Old Bradwell United v Pitstone & Ivinghoe

Stony Stratford Town v The 61 FC (Luton)

Tring Corinthians v Totternhoe 

Tuesday 28th November

Eynesbury United v Pitstone & Ivinghoe

Saturday 2nd December

AFC Welwyn v Stony Stratford Town 

Aston Clinton v Pitstone & Ivinghoe 

Berkhamsted Raiders v Old Bradwell United 

Codicote v Milton Keynes College 

Newport Pagnell Town Reserves v Caddington

Tring Corinthians v New Bradwell St Peter 

Saturday 9th December 

Berkhamsted Raiders v AFC Welwyn 

Old Bradwell United v Newport Pagnell Town Dev 

Sarratt v Codicote

Saturday 16th December

AFC Welwyn v Totternhoe 

Aston Clinton v Milton Keynes College 

Bovingdon v New Bradwell St Peter

Codicote v Pitstone & Ivinghoe

Milton Keynes Irish Reserves v Sarratt
Old Bradwell United v Eynesbury United

Stony Stratford Town v Newport Pagnell Town Dev 

Friday 22nd December 

Milton Keynes College v Milton Keynes Irish Reserves

Saturday 23rd December  

Caddington v AFC Welwyn

Aston Clinton v Old Bradwell United

Berkhamsted Raiders v Sarratt 

Codicote v Newport Pagnell Town Dev 

New Bradwell St Peter v The 61 FC (Luton)

Stony Stratford Town v Eynesbury United

Totternhoe v Bovingdon

Tring Corinthians v Pitstone & Ivinghoe 

Saturday 30th December

AFC Welwyn v Codicote

Bovingdon v Berkhamsted Raiders

Eynesbury United v Newport Pagnell Town Dev

Milton Keynes Irish Reserves v New Bradwell St Peter

Old Bradwell United v Milton Keynes College

Pitstone & Ivinghoe United v Aston Clinton 

Sarratt v Totternhoe

The 61 FC (Luton) v Caddington

Tring Corinthians v Stony Stratford Town

WHO WILL WIN THE 2023/24 SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION TWO TITLE?