Issuu

Issue 6

DERBY

Saturday 3rd October 15:00 KO

v Langford FC Anco Stadium MK45 2HX

DAY

AMPTHILL LADIES

Another massive couple of weeks for the Ladies has seen them face Hitchin Belles twice in as many weeks. Both matches have been close and had nothing to separate them in, the first, a league match ended 4-3 to Hitchin with a lastminute goal taking all the points in a game that could have gone either way with some really good goals being scored on both sides and an early penalty save from Charlie Payne in the 1st half. The second game, the Women’s FA cup 2nd rd. qualifying. What a match that was too. Nothing to separate them in the 1st half, the Belles take the lead into the 2nd half and Amps Ladies then start their onslaught to find the equaliser, several chances go by buit in the 96th minute a crossed ball from Shauna Cole evades two Ampthill Players to be volleyed home via a back heel flick from Maisy Howard at the back post. The final whistle comes 1 minute later and the dreaded penalty kicks. Despite two good saves from Charlie the unlucky Amps Ladies go out 4—3 in sudden death.

It’s been a rollercoaster start to the new season for the Ladies, many new faces, team still trying to gel but sometimes it just clicks and there are big things coming for this team. Watch this space. COYA.

TALK OF THE TOWN Eric Turner Esq.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome to today’s game against Langford and we extend greetings to the players, officials and supporters from Forde Park. The Amps are at home for the second week to begin October which promises to be a busy month. After the disappointment of losing in last year’s play offs Town have proved resilient with an excellent unbeaten start to the campaign in league and cup with some fine performances. We lie second to Eaton Socon who we have a game in hand on and last weekend’s games brought us six points to consolidate our form. Our last home game saw us beat Rushden and Higham 3-0 with two first half goals from Jake Kissiedu and Mike Draycott setting us on our way. After beating Rushden three times last term we had plenty of chances to add to the lead but had to wait for Phil Draycott’s strike in the last five minutes to make it a trio of headers. On Tuesday the Amps went to Stotfold where we have some tight contests but though we won 1-0 it was another match which should have won by more goals. We went one up on twenty minutes from Jake Kissiedu and though we dictated matters against a new look home side we could not add to our score despite several chances. Our character was tested when keeper Mitch Howe had to retire with a knee injury and he was replaced by the versatile Kissiedu Jake did well in his stand in role while the home keeper denied Town any more goals. We wish Mitch a speedy recovery. Our visitors Langford have enjoyed a good start to their season and are in sixth place with two defeats from 8 games. including a midweek loss at New Bradwell. They lost against Haverhill in the Vase who beat them last year while the Reds finished 12th last year with both our games ending in home wins with two draws before that.

The league have given us some hectic weeks and next Tuesday we host Huntingdon who have one win to their name so far . Next week we entertain Dunstable of the Premier section in the FA Vase first round. The Amps have overcome Broadfields and Cranfield to reach this stage and we will be aiming to go one better after a loss at Eaton Socon last year. After that the midweek games continue and after two away draws in recent years we host Stotfold reserves in the Division 1 cup and we will be looking to advance against them. The Amps have only one home game thus far in November going to Leighton Town and Whitworths prior to a home clash with Eaton Socon and we end the month going to Huntingdon’s new base at Raunds In other club news the under 18s have made a brilliant start with four wins and won 3-1 at Bedford Town on Wednesday to complete a quick double They go to MK Irish on Thursday while the Ampthill Ladies host Stevenage reserves tomorrow. Your support is always welcome home and away COYA

LANGFORD Football has been played in Langford since the late 19th century. Between 1897 and 1908, a village team played friendly matches against other local sides. Home fixtures were held at Boot Meadow, just a couple of hundred yards from “The Boot”, a former public house which still stands at the south end of the village. During the inter-war years the club continued to develop and remained competitive, with several talented and loyal players serving the club for more than a decade. Langford won the Bedford and District League for the first time in the 1931–32 season. The club also enjoyed success in the North Beds Charity Cup, lifting the trophy in 1928 and again in 1931. The team recorded two 10-goal victories, three 8-goal wins and two 7-goal wins. Johnny Gabitas (league) and “Dud” Dudley (cup) each scored six goals in a single match — club records that still stand today. Further silverware arrived in 1969 when a 7–0 victory over Brache Sparta secured the Bedfordshire Intermediate Cup. Under the management of two former Luton Town FA Cup winners, Billy Waugh and Roland Legate, Langford enjoyed a successful period between 1969 and 1976, winning a succession of trophies — a feat later surpassed only by Steve Norris. In the 1988–89 season, Steve Norris led Langford to another historic league and cup double, repeating the success of forty years earlier. This time it came at the higher level of the South Midlands League Premier Division — the highest level (Step 5) at which the club has competed. Stuart Robertson and Graham Reynolds took charge of Langford during the 2021–22 season

after previously being part of the coaching setup. Their leadership and strong connection with the players helped build a competitive squad and strengthen the club both on and off the pitch. Over their three seasons in charge, they played an important role in the club’s continued progress and development, before taking a step back from managing at the end of the 24/25 season. For the 2025–26 season the club welcomed a new management team Manager: Matthew Fisher Assistant Manager: Bailey Rose Coaches: Jamie Dunn and Tony Battle.

HELLO FROM HARVS Chris Harvey - 1st Team Manager

Good afternoon and welcome back to the ANCO Stadium for today’s local derby against Langford FC. It has been a week of highs and lows for the Amps. On Tuesday, we travelled to the JSJ Stadium at Stotfold looking to extend our unbeaten run with another away win. The match was a real showcase of the grit, determination and will to win that these lads possess, as we secured a 1–0 victory on the road. However, the three points came at a cost, with Amps number one Mitch Howe suffering a serious injury and having to retire hurt. Jake Kissiedu, who had earlier given the Amps the lead, took over in goal. This was a huge setback for the lads, but Captain Phil Draycott rallied the team and set out the plan that ultimately led us to victory.

We would also like to thank all of you for continuing to turn out in such numbers and for giving us such fantastic support, both at home and, noticeably, at our away matches. This is greatly appreciated by everyone at the club, staff and players alike. COYA. Chris Harvey

We are now two months into the season and remain in contention in all competitions, including a massive FA Vase tie next week against local rivals and Spartan Premier side Dunstable FC on 10 October. However, there is plenty of football to be played before we can turn our attention to that match, starting with today’s fixture against a Langford side who have enjoyed one of their best starts in recent years and will provide a huge challenge. We have recruited a new goalkeeper while we await the outcome of Mitch’s injury, which is looking like a possible ACL tear. We wish Mitch a speedy and, most importantly, full recovery. He will be guided and supported by our physio, Siba Mguga, who has settled in extremely well here at the ANCO and has quickly earned the respect of both staff and players. Despite our excellent start to the season, with results being very positive and performances generally strong, we have only been able to achieve this by making full use of the large squad of players we recruited. They have completely bought into the plan.