2022-10-01 Leighton Town v Biggleswade United Programme

MANYTHANKSTOSTUARTWHITEANDALLATDILLAMORES FORSPONSORINGTODAYSMATCH YOURSUPPORTISVERYMUCHAPPRECIATED

DillamoreFuneralServicepridesitselfonbeingatrusted,independentfamily runbusinessthathasbeenservingLeightonBuzzard’sdiversecommunity since1923.Ourteamcomprisesbothfamilymembersandlocalpeopleand wetakeprideinofferingacaringandprofessionalservice.Weareheretotake careofyou,yourfamilyandthelocalcommunityinthesamewaywewould careforourownfamily.

Dealingwiththedeathofalovedonecanbeoverwhelming.HereatDillamore weprovidefuneralservicesthattrulyreflectaperson’sindividualwishesand ourintentionistobringpeaceofmindtoeveryonewesupport.Our experience,flexibilityandmeticulousapproachensurethatyouandyourloved onewillhavememorablemomentsthatmatter.

GoodafternooneveryoneandwelcometoBellCloseforthisafternoon'sSpartan SouthMidlandsmatchagainstouroldfriendsfromBiggleswade United.

WeextendawarmwelcometoeveryoneassociatedwiththeirClubandwelcome thembacktotheSpartanSouthMidlandsLeagueaftertheironeseasonswitchto theUnitedCountiesLeaguelastseason.Iamsuretheywillbemuchhappier playinginmorefamiliarsurroundingsonceagainwithouttheaddedtravelrequiredin theUCL.

Wealsowelcomeour3matchofficials,Referee,NeoNeophytouandhisassistants, LukeGriggsandPaulO'Hare,wehopetheyalsoenjoytheirtimewithusthis afternoon.

Thevisitorshavewon3anddrawn1ofthefirst6leaguegamesandhavejust2 pointslessthanTown,wealwayshavecompetitivematchesagainstthemandwe canexpectnothinglessthisafternoon.

PerhapsthebiggestsurprisesofarthisseasonistoseeCrawleyGreenheadingthe Tablehoweverperhapsweshouldnotbetoosurprisedastheyfinishedlastseason reallywellandundertheirnewmanagementlooktohavecarriedthatformintothe currentseason.

AfterthedefeattoSt.Panteleimonitwasgoodtoseetheteamgettingbackto winningwayslastweekintheFAVASEagainstHilltopFCandwewillnowplay SheffordandCamptonawayinthenextround.Thiswillbeanotherdifficultmatchfor ourteamagainstasidewhowerepromotedattheendoflastseason.Thegamewill beplayedonthe22ndOctober.

OnTuesday4thOctoberwewillbeplayingBaldockatArleseyinthePremier DivisionCup,anothertoughgame.ThenonSaturday8thOctoberwemakethe shortjourneytoCreasyParktoplayDunstableTownanotherteamthathavemade agoodstarttothecurrentseasonandarealsoattractingsomedecent attendances.

TheyhavealsosignedsomeexLeightonplayers,AlfieOsborne,ConnorCoulson andTomBryantsoitcouldbeaveryinterestingmatch.

OnTuesday11thOctoberwearehometoCrawleyGreenintheLeagueko7:45so thenextfewgamescouldbeveryinterestingindeed.

EnjoytheGame

POLITEREMINDER.

MembersofthepublicincludingChildrenarenotallowedonthepitchbefore orafterthegame.Thanksforyourco-operation.

PREMIERDIVISION

ArdleyUnitedvLondonColney

ArleseyTownvLeverstockGreen

ColneyHeathvDunstableTown

HarpendenTownvRisboroughRangers

HoddesdonTownvAylesburyValeDynamos

LeightonTownvBiggleswadeUnited PottonUnitedvStPanteleimon

SheffordTown&CamptonvCockfosters(POSTPONED)

StotfoldvCrawleyGreen

TringAthleticvBaldockTown

BiggleswadeUnitedFootballClubwasre-formedonthe16thJuly1959. However,localhistoryrecordsindicatethattherewasaBiggleswadeUnited sideplayingatSecondMeadowasearlyas1929.Ourfirstseason (1959/60)sawuscompetinginDivisionThreeoftheNorthHerts.League (NHL).After10successfulyearsintheNHLtheclubmadethestepupto SouthMidlandsLeague(SML)football.Buttowardstheendofa15-year associationwiththeSMLtheclubbegantostruggleandafterthreeyearsof finishinginthebottomthreeofDivisionOnewesoughtfreshfields.Theclub joinedtheHerts.Seniorbutclubcontinuedtofindthegoingtough.In1986 weelectedtoreturntolocalLeaguefootball,joiningtheBedfordandDistrict FootballLeagueandbegantobuildagain.

TheappointmentofBrianSwordsasfirstteammanagerin87/88proved tobetheturningpointintheclub'sfortunes.Duringthenexttenyearsthe clubachievedatremendousamountofsuccessonandoffthefootballpitch. OurrecordofLeagueandCuphonoursspeakforthemselvesbutalignedto thisagreatdealofworkwentonbehindthescenestomatchtheon-field success.Theclubnowboastsoneofthebestclubhouseandground facilitiesintheMid-Bedfordshirearea.Thesuccessoftheclubhasalso attractedmanynewplayersaswellascommandingagreatdealofloyalty fromthoseplayerswhohelpedtheclubprogressfromDivisionThreeofthe BedfordandDistrictLeaguetoCountySeniorClubstatusinjust15years.

The1995/96seasonwasthemostsuccessfulintheclub'shistory-winning fivemajorhonours;theBedsIntermediateCountyCup,BedfordandDistrict LeagueChampionship,LeagueCupChampionshipandastheLeague's representativestheclubwontheBeds.FACentenaryCup.Havingwon everymajorBedfordLeaguehonourtheclubfeltitwastimetomoveonand madethedecisiontomakethestepuponceagainandreturnedtoDivision OneoftheSML.Inanexceptionallysuccessfulfirstseasonwecelebrated aDivisionOne"double"bywinningtheChampionshipandtheDivisionOne Cup.WealsoretainedtheBeds.FAIntermediateCountyCup,onlythe secondclubinthecompetition'shistorytoachievethisfeat.Tocrownour successtheclubwereawardedtheSMLSpecialAchievementTrophyin July1997.

Intheseason1997/98wefinallyachievedSeniorstatus.Thiswasachieved notonlythroughtheendeavoursoftheplayersonthefieldbutultimatelyas aresultofanextremelyhardworkingcommittee.Withthehelpofthe BiggleswadeTownCouncilanewstandwaserectedandperimeterfencing installed.Andtwoseasonslaterthecluberectedfloodlightsandonthe eveningof26th October1999weplayedourfirst-everfloodlitgameat SecondMeadow,RymanLeaguesideLeightonTownwerethevisitorsinthe BedfordshirePremierCup.

ThenextelevenyearssawthefirstteamledbySteve"Snowy"Wrightand underhismanagementtheclubcontinuedtoenjoyaveryhighlevelof LeagueandCupsuccessultimatelyachievingpromotiontotheMolten SpartanSouthMidlandsLeaguePremierDivisionandwithittheopportunity tocompeteintheFACup.AndunderSnowytheclubmadethreeBedsFA SeniorChallengeCupfinalappearances,winningtwoofthethreewith victoriesoverStotfold(4-1)andLeightonTown(1-0)butmissedoutin 2006/07goingdown2-0toDunstableTown.Snowy'sothercupsuccesses cameintheformoftheHuntsPremeirCup,NorthBedsCharityCup, HinchingbrookeCup,theSMLDivisionOneCupandtheSMLSpecial AchievementAwardonceagain.Theendofthe20062007sawSnowystep downasmanagerwithhisassistant,NickBurtontakingoverthefirstteam reins.January5th2009sawtheclubembarkonfurtherambitiousground improvements.WithfinancialbackingfromBiggleswadeTownCouncil,Mid BedsDistrictCouncilandtheFootballFoundationweinstalleda260-seater stand,fullyenclosedthegroundwithadoubleturnstileentranceandplayers' securewalkwaywhichraisedthegroundtoGradeEstatus.

Afterseveralyearsofstabilityintermsoffirstteammanagersthenextsix yearssawaregularturnoveroffirstteamandreserveteammanagerswith NickBurton,DaveElkinandPhilChildsalltakingoverthefirstteamreinsfor atime.

Atthestartofthe20132014seasonweappointedMickReardonandMark Royalasfirstteammanagersbothofwhomhadenjoyedsuccessas coachesatthehigherlevelsoffootball.Theirdisciplinedapproachwas quicklyadheredtoandrespondedtobytheplayersandundertheir stewardshipweachievedthehighestPremierDivisionpositioninnineyears andfirstsilverwareinsevenyearswinningtheNorthBedsCharityCupfor thefirsttimeintheclub’shistory.

InNovember2014theclubtookafurtherpositivesteptorealiseour ambitionswiththeappointmentofSkySportsPresenterandrenowned author,GuillemBalagueasBiggleswadeUnited’sDirectorofFootball.

FollowingMickandMark’sdecisiontostepdownattheend20142015, GuillemwasquicktoactandrecruitedanewHeadCoachinCristian ColasBeccera.Cristianwasassistedbyformerprofessionalplayer, StuartBimson,andundertheirguidancetheteamfinishedineighthspot inthePremierDivisionin20172018-thehighestpositionintheclub’s history.Havingbuiltastrongreputationfortheiroutstandingcoaching abilityandplayingphilosophyCristianandStuartmoveduptoStep3 levelclub,StainesTown,forthestartofthe20182019season.Guillem wasagaininsearchforahighqualitycoachandJimmyMartincame highlyrecommendedbyhispredecessor,Colas,whoworkedwithJimmy atStevenageFCAcademy.JimmywasappointedManagerinMay2018 buthetenderedhisresignationinOctober2018havingbeenoffereda “hardtorefuse”opportunitytotakeupacoachingroleatPremierDivision clubWatford.Despitethesetbackthefirstteamwentontorecordtheir highesteverLeagueplacing–afourthspotinthePremierDivision.

Intheseason20192020theclubweresittinginahighlycommendable thirdpositioninthePremierDivisionandunderthemanagementofChris DevaneandTrishnanPatelwerehopingforapromotionplayoff opportunity.However,inMarch2020theseasonwasdecalredNulland VoidbytheFAafterthedevastatingoutbreakoftheCoronavirus.The clubwerealsotolearnthatChrisandTishnanhadacceptedtheofferto workatStep4anddepartedtheclubatshortnotice.Fortunatelytheclub wereabletocallupontheservicesofformerHeadCoachCristianColas Cristiantooktheclubtoitshighesteverpositionintheclub’shistoryat thecurtailmantofthe20/21seasonleavingussecondinthetableon PPG.TheclubappliedforpromotiontoStep4butwereunsuccessful.A doublewhammycamewhentheclubweresubjectedtoalateralmoveto theUhlsportUnitedCountiesLeague.TheFA’sactionshadadevastating effectontheclubandwespentmostofthe20212022seasonatthefoot ofthetable.ButweralliedandsecuredStep5footballonthefinaldayof theseason.Theclubhavenowbeenre-instatedintotheSMLandwith astrongsquadwillbelookingtoputlastseason’snightmareintoa distantmemoryandpushontoreturnasatopofthetableclub.

Theclubhascertainlycomealongwayinrelativelyfewyearsbutwe couldnothavedoneitwithoutthehelpofaverysupportiveTownand DistrictCouncilwhoclearlyunderstandthebenefitsofhavinga communitybasedclubinBiggleswade.Oursuccessisalsoverymuch downtoaveryhardworkingcommitteewhothroughouttheyear-not justthefootballseason-continuetovolunteertheirtimeand commitmenttotheclub,tohelpitcontinuetothriveandbeasourceof enjoymentforoursupportersandtheBiggleswadecommunity.

LeightonTown5-0Hilltop

LeightonTownbouncedbackfromlastweek’sdefeattoPanteleimonwitha solid5-0victoryathometoHilltopintheFAVaseSecondRoundQualifying.In frontof410spectatorsatBellClose,therewerefourscorersinthis consummatedisplayagainstthesidefromNorth-WestLondon.

Thehometeampiledonthepressurefromthestartandon19’finallyhadthe Hilltopdefencecreaking.Followingaballinbehind,KyleConnollywasclattered bytheonrushingvisitingkeeperandtherefpointedtothespot.Perhapsthe Hilltopmanwasluckytostayon,howeverayellowcardandLewisToomey convertingthespotkickseemedpunishmentenough.

Rightafterthegoal,Townkeptpushing.AlthoughKieranTurnerwasdeniedby theposton22’,Leightonwouldgrabthesecondgoalon32minutes.Onthe right,Turnerwasprovider–puttingagreatballonaplateforKyleConnollyto liftoverthekeeperfromcloserange.

2-0atthebreak,thehostscontinuedthesecondhalfinthesamevein.Just sevenminutesin,LeonLobjoitwouldhavetheballinthenetonlyforittobe disallowedforoffside.On65’,he’dfindreward,slottingexcellentlyunderthe goalkeeper.Twelveminuteslater,Lobjoitwasatthedoubleanditwasasecond assistforKieranTurner.Theprolificforwardwasfoundwellandproducedan excellentlobtomakeitfour.

Townfirmlyinthedrivingseat,theleadwouldgrowtofivebeforethegamewas over.SubstituteArchieMcClellandcappedagreatsequenceofdetermination fromfellowreplacementJackHarvey.Harveykepttheballonandjabbedina lowcrossthatMcClellanddispatchedsmartlyintothebottomleft.

WithLeightonthroughtothenextround,focusnowturnstonextweek’sleague visitofBiggleswadeUnitedtoBellClose.

LTFCXI:Comas;Fitzgerald,Connolly,Flanagan,Goodman,Jackson,Pyman, Spaul(C),Toomey,Lobjoit,Turner.

Subs:McClelland,Harvey,Connolly,Heeps,Marsh-Brown,Dubniuc,Silvestri.

ThedefeatagainstPanteleimonwasfirmlya thingofthepastasLeightonTowncameback witha5-0victoryagainstHilltop.Inhispostmatchthoughts,LeeBirchambeganby recognisingtheday’soppositionandasolid returntoform.

“They’renotabadside,theybeatAmersham40inthelastround.Iknowthey’vegotagood sideforthelevel.Wewereexpectingatough gamebutitwasn’tabouttheotherteam,itwasaboutustoday.Weresponded reallywellafterlastweekandtoaman,toasquad–theywereexcellentand theythoroughlydeservedthatresult.Itwasareallygoodperformance.”

AkeyplayerwasLeonLobjoit.Grabbingtwogoals,thesewerehis15th and16th oftheseasonrespectively.HisstrikepartnerLewisToomeywasalsoonthe scoresheet.Thecoachwasfullofpraiseforhisprolificforwardsandthesquad asawhole.

“Theycould’vegivenalotmoreifthey’djustarchedtheirrunsabitmorewiththe offsides!Butlook,thethreestrikersallscoredtoday,andwekeptacleansheet ontopofit.Allinall,it’sprettymuchaperfectresult.

Itwasimportanthowweresponded(tolastweek’sdefeat).Icouldn’thaveasked moreofthemtoday.Thereweretimesinthatgamewherethattheyhadtoplay wellanddefend.Itwasn’tallourownway.They’reareallygoodgroup,Ikeep sayingitandIthinkthey’reenjoyingitasmuchaswe(thecoachingstaff)are.”

With410fansatBellClose,Leighton’sreputationforbrilliantsupportwas continued.Birchamendedhisinterviewaddressingtheever-presentfollowing.

“It’sunbelievable.That’spartofthereasonI’mhere,whyalotoftheboysare here–becauseofthebigsupporttheyget.That’sgottocontinue.We’llmakea dealwiththesupporters.We’llkeepdoingourbitonthepitchifyoulotkeep turningup.”

FAVasevictory:LeeBircham’sside“respondedreallywellafterlastweek”

TheHistoryofLeightonTownFootballClub

LeightonTown,whowereknownasLeightonUnitedbetween1922and1963, wereformedin1885.Theyweremainlyinvolvedinlocalleaguesuntilthe outbreakoftheGreatWarandwerewinnersoftheLeightonandDistrictLeague onseveraloccasions.

LeightonwereoneoftheoriginalmembersoftheSouthMidlandLeaguein1922 –whichatthetimewasknownastheBedfordshireCounty.Theywerealso membersoftheSpartanLeaguebetween1922/23and1951/52,buttheironly successesbeingtheSpartanLeagueDivision2titlein1923/24and1927/28. TheywereBedfordshireSeniorCupwinnersin1926/27.League

In1952,theybecameafoundermemberoftheHellenicLeague,butaftertwo disappointingseasons,movedtotheSouthMidlandsLeague.In1965/66 seasonhowever,thePremierChampionshipsatintheLeightonTown Boardroom.TheclubthenrejoinedtheSpartanLeaguein1967/68.

LeightonproceededtoconsolidatetheirLeaguesuccessbywinningthe BedfordshireSeniorCupforthreesuccessiveseasonsin1968,1969and1970. Unfortunately,someofthesuccessfulplayersmovedontootherclubs,and Leighton’sfortunesagaindeclined.AmovetotheUnitedCountiesLeague proveddisastrousandafterjusttwoseasons,theclubrejoinedtheSouth MidlandsLeague.

Duringthe‘70’sand‘80’s,Leightonwereunabletocapturethesuccessofthe ‘60’s.

In1990/1991theFirstTeamwontheSouthMidlandsLeagueChallengeTrophy andtheO’Brien’sPremierDivisionCup,bothforthefirsttimeintheclub’s history.

The1991/2seasonwasoneoftheclub’sbest.TheSouthMidlandsPremier Divisiontitle,whichhadeludedtheclubforsolong,waswon,andwithitaplace intheIsthmianLeague.

1992/3sawtheClub’ssuccesscontinuewhentheywontheBedfordshireSenior Cupforthefirsttimesince1970.TheClubmissedoutonpromotionintheirfirst IsthmianLeagueseasonbyjustasinglepointbuttheYouthTeamretainedthe CountyCup.

1995/6sawtheFirstTeamwinpromotiontoDivision2oftheIsthmianLeague, whilstatthesametimeretainingtheBuckinghamCharityCup.

Inthe1996/7season,LeightonwontheIsthmianLeagueAssociatedMembers Trophyforthefirsttime.1998/99sawthereturnoftheAssociatedMembers TrophyandtheBuckinghamCharityCup.

Season2003/04LeightonwontheRymanIsthmianSecondDivisiontitle.They werealsonamedRymanDivisionTwoTeamoftheYear,andPaulBurgesswas awardedManageroftheYear.TheyalsoreachedtheFifthroundoftheFAVase, andthefinaloftheBedsSeniorCup,beforelosingtoAndoverandArleseyTown respectively.

The2004-05seasonsawtheclubplacedinTheSouthernLeagueEastDivision andfinishedinacreditabletenthplace.TheyalsowontheBuckinghamshire CharityCup.TheReserveswontheBedfordshireIntermediateCupandthe U18’swontheSCYFLLeagueShield.

The05-06SeasonsawtheClubprogressagain,improvingontheyearbefore, astheyfinished8th inTheSouthernLeagueWesternDivision.Afterapoorstart, Leagueresultsimprovedandthesideonlysufferedfourdefeatsfromthestartof NovemberuntiltheendofMarch,aplay-offplacejusteludingthem.

AfterthreeexcellentvictoriesinterestintheFA.Trophycompetitionendedwitha singlegoaldefeattoeventualsemi-finalists,Borehamwood.

TheClubalsoreachedtheBedsSeniorCupFinal,butsadlytheyagainfinished asRunnersUp.

TheClubwererelocatedtotheSouthernLeagueMidlandDivisionfor06-07 seasonbutonlyoneLeaguewininthefirstsixgamesandearlyexitsinthetwo FACompetitionscostPaulBurgesshisjobinSeptember.Hewasreplacedby formerWycombeprofessionalKeithScott,resultsdidimprovebutitwasa disappointingseason,althoughTowndidwintheBucksSeniorCharityCup.

The07-08startedbrightlywiththefirstLeaguedefeatnotcominguntilmidOctober.ThreewinsintheFACupsawtheClubreachthe4th QualifyingRound forthefirsttimeinit’shistory.A3-0defeattoConferenceSouth,Havantand Waterloovillefinallyendedtherun.KeithScottthenleftinDecembertojoin WindsorandEton.InJanuary2008,AssistantManagerSeanDowneywas appointedasFirstTeamManageranddidasplendidjobastheClubendedtheir Leagueseasonin9th place,winningtheBucksCharityCupandreachingthe finaloftheBedsSeniorCuponcemore.

The08/09SeasontheFirstTeamfinished8th intheSouthernLeague,Midland Division,achievingtheirhighestpointstotaltodateatthatlevel.

The09/10seasonsawLeightononceagainfinishinthetophalfofthetable, whentheyfinishedin9th placeandtheyalsolosttheBedfordshireSeniorCup FinaltoSouthernLeaguerivals,ArleseyTownafterpenalties.

Season2010/2011,sawTownfinishin7th placeintheLeague,gaining69 points,theirbestperformancesincejoiningtheSouthernFootballLeague.

The2011/2012apoorseasonsawLeightonfinishintheirlowestpositionfor severalyears.

2012/13wasalsoverydisappointingfortheFirstTeamastheyfinishedin20th place.

2015/2016After3disappointingseasonsLeightonfinishedtheseasoninthe bottomtwooftheSouthernLeagueCentralDivisionandwererelegatedtothe SpartanSouthMidlandsLeaguewheretheyhadlastplayedinthe1991/92 season.

2016/2017Thiswasadisappointingseasonwiththeclubstrugglingformuch ofthetimeafteryetanotherManagerialChange.Thingsdidpickuptowardsthe endoftheseasonandweeventuallyfinishedin16th place.

2017/18TheclubretainedScottReynoldsasManagerandfinished4th inthe LeagueandreachedtheQuarterFinalsoftheFAVASE.Gatesimprovedand itwasourbestseasonforabout8years,

2018/2019Manager,ScottReynoldsresignedinthecloseseasonandDanny NichollswasappointedasManagerbutleftinOctoberduetowork commitments.TheClubthenappointedJoeSweeneyandPaulCopson,who hadpreviouslywonthePremierdivisiontitlewithLondonColneyasthenew ManagementTeam.Theysteadiedtheshipandwefinishedinmidtable.

2019/2020WasagoodseasonfortheClubasweagainreachedtheQuarter FinaloftheFAVaseandafteraslowstartintheLeaguetheteamstartedtofind somegoodformasweslowlyclimbedupthetable.Theteamwerealso awardedtheTeamoftheMonthtwice.

2020/2021Townforthethirdtimein4seasonsreachedtheQuarterFinalofthe FAVasebutsadlylostoutto2latepenalties.AnindifferentstartintheLeague meantwecouldnotquitegainthepointsneededtogainpromotioninaCovid affectedseason.

2021/2022Weeventuallyfinished4th inthetableafteramidseason Managementchangeandafterthedisappointmentoflosingourprevious4 BedsSeniorCupFinalswewontheTrophybybeatingSouthernLeagueDiv1 Champions,BedfordTownonpenaltiesafterthegamehadendedina2-2draw.

LeightonTownPartner/SponsorshipPackages

2022/23Season

Wanttobeapartnerwithanambitious,progressive,localfootballclub; onethatalsotakesitssocialandcommunityresponsibilitiesseriously? ThenlooknofurtherthanLeightonTownFC.

InrecentyearsLeightonTownFChasbuiltstrongrelationshipswithalarge numberofbusinessesandcommunityorganisationsinthetown.Weare seekingtobuildfurtherlinksandweofferawiderangeofopportunitiesfor interestedpartiestobecomepartnersinmovingtheclubforward.

IfyouwanttojointheLeightonTownfamily,thenthereareavarietyof waysthatyoucandoso.

Partnership/Sponsorshippackages

LocalcompaniesandbusinessescanpurchaseoneofourGold,Silver,or BronzeSponsorshipPackages,allofwhich,representexcellentvaluefor money. Clickhere formoredetails,includinghowtocontacttheclubif interested.

MatchBallSponsorsforFirstTeamhomegames

Beamatchballsponsorforonly £35 andhaveyourname/companydisplayed onthefrontoftheon-linematchdayprogramme.Email sdowney0207@outlook.com tosecure.First20receivedwillbeallocateda gameinthecomingseason.

Thereissomethingforeveryoneandeverybudget.Allproceedswill servetosupporttheclubbothonandoffthepitchtocontinuebuildinga communityfootballclubwecanallbeproudof.

LEAGUETABLE

ATTENDANCES

THEVENUEATLEIGHTONTOWNFC

receptiontoacharityevent.Withit’sownseparatebar,roomfor100 guests,it’sownseparateentrance,anddisabledfacilities,amplefree

07887964117todiscussyourrequirements.Wewillstrivetomake youreventaspecialandmemorableexperienceforyouandyour

LEAGUEHISTORY

TheLeagueisrelativelyyoungcomparedtoother’sbeingformedin 1922astheBedfordshireCountyLeague.Withnewclubskeentojoin fromoutsidetheCountyitwasdecidedin1929tochangethenameto theSouthMidlandsLeague.

TheLeaguecontinuedtoconsolidateandstrengthenovertheensuing 70yearsorsoprovidingqualityfootballformanyteamsoveralarge areaoftheSouthMidlands.

In1997itbecameapparentthattheLondonSpartanLeague,which wasverymuchtotheSouthoftheLeague’sgeographicalfootprint,was strugglingadministratielyand,withthefullsupportoftheFootball Association,thedecisionwastakentomergethetwocompetitionswith thenewLeaguebeingknownastheSpartanSouthMidlandsLeague.

TheLeaguenowcoversawideareafromNorthLondonintheSouthto MiltonKeynesintheNorthandfromWareintheEasttoAylesburyin theWest.

TheLeagueispartoftheFA’sNationalLeagueSystem(NLS)and comprisesofthreeDivisions;PremieratStep5oftheNLS,Division OneatStep6andDivisionTwoatStep7.

TheLeaguehasaproudrecordofpromotingclubstoStep4oftheNLS andhasalsoprovided4FAVaseFinalistsincludingtwowinnersin ArleseyTownandHoddesdonTownFC.

ArdleyUnited

TheNolanOilsGroundArdley PlayingFieldOX277PA 07467549294

ArleseyTown NewlambMeadowHitchinRd SG156RS 07910110720

AylesburyVale

Dynamos

TheGreenfleetsStadium HaywoodWayHP199WZ 07715772500

BaldockTown NewLambMeadowHitchinRd SG156RS 07507445099

BiggleswadeUnited

Cockfosters

Colneyheath

CrawleyGreen

SecondMeadowFairfieldRd BiggleswadeSG180AA 07714661827

ChalkLaneBarnetEN49JG 07956143291

TheRecreationGroundColney HeathAL40NP 07769644003

TheStadiumattheBrachePark StLutonLU13HH 07762752213

DunstableTown CreaseyParkDriveDunstable LU61BB 07828604170

HarpendenTown RothamsteadParkAmenbury LaneAL52EF 07796955197

HoddesdonTown ParkViewHoddesdonEN118PX 01767631297

LeightonTown BellCloseLakeStLeighton BuzzardLU71RX 07757720833

LeverstockGreen

LondonColney

PottonUnited

PancakeLaneLeverstockGreen HP24NQ 07747756591

CotlandswickPlayingField LondonColneyAL21DW 07958794109

TheHutchinsonHollow BiggleswadeRdSG192LX 07703442565

RisboroughRangers BEPStadiumHorsendenLane HP279NE 07855958236

SheffordTown&

Campton

Stotfold

StPanteleimon

TringAthletic

SheffordSportsClubHitchinRd SG175JD 07885557274

JSJStadiumNewRokerPark ArleseyRdSG54HE 07752430493

HertingfordburyPark,WestSt SG138EZ

TheGrassRootsStadiumCow LaneTringHP235NT 07825747775

WEEKENDHEADLINES

Step6NorthamptonSilebyRangersprogressintheFAVase.MiltonKeynes CollegeFootballAcademyrecordbesteverresultintheSSML.Berkhamsted Raidersnetnineontheroad.OldBradwellUnitedhitsixwhiletherearefivegoal winsforLeightonTownandMoultonFC.

FRIDAY23rd SEPTEMBER/SATURDAY24th SEPTEMBER

WEEKENDSTATISTICS

WeekendStats:30gamesplayedofwhich17werehomewins,7awaywinsand 6draws.

WeekendStats:The30gamesproducedatotalof119goals,anaverageof3.96 pergame. TobyHead(BerkhamstedRaiders)ledthewaywithafourgoalhaul whileDeanMorgan(StPanteleimon),JoeEvans(MoultonFC),MasonDavis (MiltonKeynesCollegeFootballAcademy)andEdmundBryant(Berkhamsted Raiders)allweighedinwithhat-tricks.

WeekendHighestAttendances:410LeightonTownvHilltop(FAVase),266 DunstableTownvHolmerGreen(FAVase)and239StotfoldvLeverstockGreen.

Season’sHighestAttendancestodate(PremierDivisionClubs):410Leighton TownvHilltop(FAVase),349SheffordTown&CamptonvSouthendManor(FA Cup)and341LeightonTownvBarking(FACup).

Season’sHighestAttendancestodate(DivisionOneClubs):273RealBedfordFC vRushden&HighamUnited,179RealBedfordFCvMoultonFCand176Moulton FCvBuckinghamAthletic.

Season’sHighestAttendancestodate(DivisionTwoClubs):148OldBradwell UnitedvMiltonKeynesCollegeFootballAcademy,114TotternhoevSarrattand 103TringCorinthiansAFCvBovingdon.

THEISUZUFAVASESecondRoundQualifying

SeventeenSSMLsideswereinvolvedinTheIsuzuFAVaseSecondRound QualifyinglookingtojoinTringAthleticandSheffordTown&CamptonintheFirst RoundProper.ComethefinalwhistleseightachievedthatgoalincludingoneStep 6side,NorthamptonSilebyRangerswhodefeatedHillingdonBorough3-1at home.JoiningthemwereLeightonTownwhoovercamevisitingHilltop5-0(more onthislaterintheramblings)andDunstableTownwhoovercamefellowSSMLside HolmerGreen4-0atCreasyPark.IntheothertwoallSSMLtiesStPanteleimon endedLetchworthGardenCityEagleshopesintheirfirstevercampaignintheFA

Vase,thehostswinning4-0whileHarpendenTownedgedoutDivisionOne opponentsNorthamptonONChenecksbyasolitarygoal(moreonthislaterinthe ramblings),BiggleswadeUniteddefeatedWhiteEnsign3-0athomewhile AylesburyValeDynamosrequiredapenaltyshoot-outtoseeoffformerSSML sideMiltonKeynesIrishfollowingagoallessdraw.AlsointhehatareBaldock Townwhoenjoyeda3-1winatLongMelford.HoweverforRisboroughRangers lostbytheoddgoalinfiveinaneventfulgameathomeagainstEdgware& KingsburywhileAmpthillTownwentdown1-3atBritishAirwaysdespiteleading attheinterval.ElsewherethereweredefeatsontheroadforbothRaundsTown andWinslowUnited,Towngoingdown0-2againstCogenhoeUnitedwhile WinslowlostbythesamescorelineatBrookHouse.FridaynightsawbothSSML clubsexit,ColneyHeathgoingoutonpenaltiesagainstStep6May&Baker EastbrookCommunityfollowinga1-1drawwhileLangfordwerebeaten1-4at Stansted.Fullresultsandgoalscorers arelistedbelow.

1-1[4-2pens]May&BakerEastbrookCommunityvColneyHeath(Lamina)/ (Boodhoo)Attendance:77

4-1StanstedvLangford(Barrett-Antwi[3][1pen],Mitchell)/(Basra)Attendance: 126

0-0 [5-4pens]AylesburyValeDynamosvMiltonKeynesIrish Attendance:113

3-0BiggleswadeUnitedvWhiteEnsign(Cousins,Jabbar,Inskip)Attendance:71

3-1BritishAirwaysvAmpthillTown(Hayles,L’Oreal,Mandingo-Jones)/ (Cerminara[pen])Attendance:52

2-0BrookHousevWinslowUnited(Bell,Carter)Attendance:55

2-0CogenhoeUnitedvRaundsTown(Bates,Anderson[pen])Attendance:72

4-0DunstableTownvHolmerGreen(Creary,Faulkner,OpponentOwnGoal, Sellers-West)Attendance:266

1-0HarpendenTownvNorthamptonONChenecks(King)Attendance:121

5-0LeightonTownvHilltop(Lobjoit[2],Toomey[pen],KConnolly,McClelland) Attendance:410

1-3LongMelfordvBaldockTown(Parnell)/(Joy[2],Ajong)Attendance: Unknown

3-1NorthamptonSilebyRangersvHillingdonBorough (Burrows[2],Fitzjohn)/ (Kabungwe)Attendance:44

2-3RisboroughRangersvEdgware&Kingsbury(Yearwood,Hercules)/ (McGettigan[2],Popov)Attendance:82

4-0StPanteleimonvLetchworthGardenCityEagles(Morgan[3],Monti) Attendance:27

THEGLADWISHCHALLENGETROPHYFirstRound

PremierDivisionArdleyUnitedweregivenascarebyDivisionTwohosts TotternhoeintheGladwishChallengeTrophyFirstRound,theunderdogsled1-0 attheintervalbeforethehigherrankedsidesqueezedthroughbytheoddgoalin five,thewinnercomingwithjustelevenminutesremaining.Fullresultand goalscorers arelistedbelow.

2-3TotternhoevArdleyUnited(Connolly,Langlais)/(Browne[2],Casbierd) Attendance:127

PREMIERDIVISION

CrawleyGreendoubledtheirleadatthetopofthePremierDivisionstandings fromtwotofourpointsafterwinning3-0atCockfosterswhileSheffordTown& Camptonclimbtosecondfollowinga3-2winatbottomclubArleseyTown,the

visitorssurvivingasecondhalfscarewhichsawtheir3-0intervalleadreducedby thespiriteddisplaybythehosts.ElsewherePottonUnitededgedoutHoddesdon Town,thehostswinningbytheoddgoalinthreewhileitwashonoursevenas Stotfoldwereheld1-1athomebyLeverstockGreen.Fullresultsandgoalscorers arelistedbelow.

2-3ArleseyTownvSheffordTown&Campton(Baker,McClelland)/(BatemanFoley,Hammer,Scott)Attendance:153

0-3CockfostersvCrawleyGreen(Jones[pen],Read(og),Adeyileka)Attendance: 103

2-1PottonUnitedvHoddesdonTown(Parkinson,Butler)/(HRookard)Attendance: 114

1-1StotfoldvLeverstockGreen(Stevenson[pen])/(Collins)Attendance:239

DIVISIONONE

RealBedfordFCextendedtheirleadatthetopofthetabletofivepointsfollowing a3-1winatAmershamTowninthebattleofthebigmoneyclubs,thehostsbeaten forthefirsttimethiscampaignnowfindthemselvessometenpointsbehindthe leaders.Theday’sotherleagueactionsawMoultonFCclimbtothirdafterdefeating visitingWellingboroughWhitworth5-1.Fullresultsandgoalscorers arelistedbelow.

1-3AmershamTownvRealBedfordFC(Putman)/(Brown,Knight,Burnside) Attendance:72

5-1MoultonFCvWellingboroughWhitworth(Evans[3],Weston,Okoye)/(Sljivic) Attendance:Unknown

DIVISIONONECUPSecondRound

InabattlebetweentheSMML’stwomostnortherlyclubsRugbyBoroughbooked theirplaceintheDivisionOneCupquarter-finalswitha4-1winovervisiting LutterworthAthletic.Fullresultandgoalscorers arelistedbelow.

4-1RugbyBoroughvLutterworthAthletic(Shaw[2],Linton,Lockley)/(JAdcock [pen])Attendance:108

DIVISIONTWO

OldBradwellUnitedtoptheDivisionTwostandingsfollowinga6-2homesuccess againstRisboroughRangersDevelopment,thenewleadersproducedastunning secondhalfdisplayafterleadingbyasolitarygoalattheinterval.MiltonKeynes CollegeFootballAcademyclimbedtofifthafterhammeringofbottomclubThe 61FC(Luton),thehostswinning8-1.Theday’sotherDivisionTwoactionsawa tenselocalderbyasAstonClintonedgedoutvisitingPitstone&Ivinghoebytheodd goalinthree.Fullresultsandgoalscorers arelistedbelow.

2-1AstonClintonvPitstone&Ivinghoe(Clarke,Doncaster)/(Zanatti)Attendance: 40

8-1MiltonKeynesCollegeFootballAcademyvThe61FC(Luton)(Davis[3],Lodder [2],McKenna-Mannall[2],Kalvin)/(Frincu)Attendance:75

6-2OldBradwellUnitedvRisboroughRangersDevelopment(Valentine[2][1pen], Green[2],O’Neill,Douglas-Smith)/(Goodby,Read)Attendance:63

DIVISIONTWOCUPFirstRound

EynesburyUnitedadvancedintotheSecondRoundoftheDivisionTwoCupwitha 2-1winatNewBradwellStPeter,theirrewardisatriptoThe61FC(Luton)in November.Fullresultandgoalscorers(whereknown)arelistedbelow.

1-2NewBradwellStPetervEynesburyUnited (Cullis)/(Unknown,Unknown) Attendance:45

HERTSSENIORCENTENARYTROPHYFirstRound

CodicotesweptintotheHertsSeniorCentenaryTrophySecondRoundwitha5-0 homesuccessagainstSawbridgeworthTownReserves,the‘Cod’willnowhost SandridgeRoversinNovember.Elsewheretherewerehomepenaltyshoot-out defeatsforBovingdonandSarrattfollowing1-1draws,Bovingdonexitingatthe handsofOracleComponents(4-5)whileSarrattlost2-3intheshoot-outagainstSt AlbansCityReserves.Fullresultsandgoalscorers(whereknown)arelistedbelow.

1-1[4-5pens]BovingdonvOracleComponents (Datta)/(Unknown)Attendance: Unknown

5-0CodicotevSawbridgeworthTownReserves(Carter[2],Randall,Willett,Dance) Attendance:60

1-1[2-3pens]SarrattvStAlbansCityReserves(Moses)/(Lawal)Attendance: Unknown

HERTSSENIORCENTENARYTROPHYSecondRound

BerkhamstedRaidersbookedtheirplaceintheHertsSeniorCentenaryTrophy QuarterFinalsinemphaticstylewitha9-0drubbingofTringCorinthiansAFC,the visitorswereintotalcommandandled5-0attheinterval.Fullresultand goalscorersarelistedbelow.

0-9TringCorinthiansAFCvBerkhamstedRaiders(Head[4],Bryant[3],Warren, Sykes)Attendance:Unknown

COMMITTEEAWAYDAYS

SSMFLBoard&CommitteememberBobFlightwasatLeightonTownandpensthe followingreport:-InthesecondqualifyingroundoftheFAVase,LeightonTown hostedtheirCombinedCountiesPremiersideopponents,Hilltop,infrontofa massive410spectatorsatBellClose.Hilltopcameoutresplendentinabrilliantall white,RealMadridstyle,strip-justapitythattheydidnotplaylikeRealMadridas Townranoutcomfortable5-0winners.Townstartedwellandhadmostoftheearly playwithHilltoprelyingontheoccasionalbreakaway.Townseemedtohavetrouble stayingonsideastheywereconstantlycaughtbytheawaydefenders.However, thedeadlockwasbrokenon20minuteswhenathroughballsawaTownplayer raceclear,onlytobefouledbytheHilltopkeeperwhocorrectlyreceivedayellow cardforhistrouble.TheresultingpenaltykickwassmashedhomebyLewis Toomey.Townsawanothereffortongoalhitapostandbouncetosafety.Butthe secondgoalwasnotlongincomingandwhilstalittlefortunate,thecrosscameoff thekeeperandhitKyleConnollythenflyingintotheHilltopneton32minutes.The secondhalfwasbetterforthevisitorsasthroughtheirgoodindividualskillsthey threatenedtogetbackintothematch.AllhopeforHilltopevaporatedwhenLeon Lobjoitscoredtwoquickgoalsafterbeingputthroughongoalinthe65and77 minutes.TheicingontheLeightoncakewassuppliedbysubstituteArchie McClellandasheheadedhomeacrossfromJackHarveyininjurytimetosealthe 5-0win.WhilstHilltoplookedgoodwiththeball,theyconstantlyfailedtodeliverthe finaltellingpasstotroublethehomedefenders.

LeightonDev1-1BovingdonDev

ByAlfieTurvey

Withthesunshining,andBellCloselookingimmaculateitwastheperfectsettingto getbackintoactionafter2weeksoff.

Beforeaballwaskicked,the87inattendanceas-wellastheplayersandstafffrom bothsidesimmaculatelyobservedaminutessilenceaswecontinuetohonourand rememberthelateQueenElizabethII.

With9U21’sinourstarting11includinganewlookCBpartnershipweeased ourselvesintothegameandafter9minutesnearlyfoundanopenerwhenPeart’s headerfromacornernarrowlywentoverthebar.

Norealdangeroustackles,butalotofnigglyfoulsdoggedthegamethroughoutthe 90minutesand30minutesinSilvestriwentintothebookforaprofessionalfoul,with Bovingdonwastingtheresultingfreekick.

37minutesinLeightonproducedarealmomentofmagicasZulufloatedaball forwards.CrossdoneexcellentlytoflicktheballdowntoKenny,whoshuffleditonto hisleftfootandrifledonehomefromtheedgeoftheboxtoputusinthelead.

Therestofthehalfproducednorealaction,asLeightoncontinuedtoseealotofthe ballandgoinatHalfTimerelativelycomfortable.

Nosubsmadeatthebreak,asthegamepickedupverymuchwhereitleftoffinthe opening45withnorealactiontoreportfromeitherside.

58minutesinproducedamomentwewouldallratherforget,asBurberrygotcaught dwellingontheballinhisownareaandtheforwardgladlyrolledtheballintoanempty nettolevelthegame.CredittotheyoungKeeperandtodayscaptainwhoheldhis handsuptotakeresponsibility.Hisperformancefromthenonremaineditsusualhigh standard.

WemadeadoublechangenotlongafterwhichsawJaggardandHattoncomeonto addsomefreshlegstoourattack,withHorneandZylkobeingtheonestomakeway. AgreatmomenttoseeHattongetonthepitch,whohashadatorridtimewithinjury thelastfewmonths.

Inallhonesty,thegamereallyflattenedoutoverthelast20.Alotoffoulstottingup frombothsides,butnofurthercardsuntilZulugotbookedinthe81st.Anotherdouble subsawLloydRobertsandMcGlincheycomeonforSayellandCross,anditwas McGlincheywhothoughthehadwonitforthetownwhenhisvolleyproducedan excellentsavefromBovingdon’sgoalkeeperinthelastminute.

TherefereeblewforfulltimeandI’mallhonestyapointeachwasprobablyaboutthe rightresult.ThankyoutoBovingdon,andwelookforwardtoseeingyouagainlater downtheseason.

AsfortheTown,wenowtakeourunbeatenstarttotheseasonto5games.Withjust 3overtheageof21inthesquadand12teenagerseveryoneattheclubcontinuesto beveryhappyabouttheworkwearedoing.Tothe87inattendance…thankyouso much,itreallymeansalot.WehaveanotherweekoffnextSaturdaybutwelook forwardtoplayinginfrontofyouallagainsoon.

LEAGUETABLE DIVISION2

ahugedifferencetoourclub,andit’sapleasuretohaveyouonboard

continuedsupportandsponsorshipofLeightonTown!

wearedoing,sothankyouonceagain