Ampthill Town stay unbeaten in Division One as Buckingham push them close

The week in Division One of the Spartan South Midlands League revolved around Ampthill Town, who arrived at Buckingham on Saturday as unbeaten leaders and left with a 2-1 win. Goals from Joe Hankins and James Lauder settled it. Ampthill described it as a good match "when it was allowed to flow".

Buckingham had billed the fixture beforehand, noting that the visitors had won 10 of their 11 league games and had beaten Dunstable FC to progress in the FA Vase. Afterwards the home side's tone was proud rather than aggrieved. "I'm biased and think we deserved something out of that," the club wrote, "but Ampthill showing why they are top of the league." They called it a much improved performance in which their young team pushed the leaders all the way.

Ampthill's week began on Monday night at Harpenden Town of the Premier Division in the Gladwish Trophy. Kelvin Ossei-Addo scored twice either side of half-time to make it 2-0, but Henry Jones scored twice for Harpenden, the second on the final whistle, and the tie went to penalties. Ampthill won 5-4, with Noah making two saves. They then beat Stotfold Reserves 6-1 at the Anco in the Division One Cup, with goals from Jack Kent, Ossei-Addo, Charlie Mallett, Shea Greene and two from Sam Holmes. Their next league game is a derby at home to Cranfield United on 24 October.

Buckingham's best result of the weekend came from their Development team, who won 6-1 at Crawley Green Development in the Reserve Division. The first team and the Saturday A team both lost narrowly at home.

Cranfield lost 2-1 at New Bradwell, saying they left themselves too much to do in the second half. New Bradwell St Peter host Cranfield this Saturday, according to their own fixture notice.

At Irchester United, a 3-0 win at Stotfold Reserves included two goals from AJ and one from Davide. The club also announced that they rank third nationally across Step 6 for fewest goals conceded per game, at 0.64, up five places. They host Burton Park Wanderers in the League Cup on Tuesday.

Rushden & Higham United lost 4-2 at Eaton Socon, with Austin Bishop and Kristian Haines scoring their first goals of the season. The club also paid tribute to Joe Payne, who co-founded Rushden Rangers in 1978. Rangers later merged with Higham Town in 2007 to form the club.

At Letchworth Garden City Eagles, Mark Nunn has stepped down as first-team manager because of work commitments but remains on the committee. Chairman Simon Efford takes charge for the rest of the season, supported by assistant manager Marc Haynes.