Risborough Rangers' 3-0 win over Sawbridgeworth sets tone in busy SSML week

The week's sharpest contrast in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division came from one visitor. Sawbridgeworth Town went to Risborough Rangers on Saturday, were described in the Rangers programme as having topped the table early in the season and still being well placed, and lost 3-0. Sawbridgeworth's own preview had billed Rangers as league leaders. Three days later they travelled to Biggleswade United and lost again, 3-2, in a game the hosts called very eventful. Liam Smyth, Robbie Buchanan and Tommy Reynolds scored for Biggleswade, and Reynolds took the player of the match award.

Rangers have since turned their attention to cup competition. The programme for the Sawbridgeworth game recalled a six-goal FA Vase win over Soul Tower Hamlets, and Rangers have since beaten Letchworth Garden City Eagles 2-1 in the Gladwish Trophy, with a last-minute goal settling it. Their director of football, Mark Eaton, had said that competition gives manager Gary Meakin a chance to use the full squad.

Monday night brought mixed fortunes across the division. AFC Welwyn beat Wormley Rovers 3-2, a result Welwyn said moved them nearer the play-offs. Colney Heath drew 1-1 at Enfield, Joni Vukaj scoring for the home side, while on Tuesday, Dunstable beat Baldock Town 2-1. Baldock, who had won 5-0 against Wormley on Saturday with a Will Blair hat-trick and a winger in goal, called it a night they would want to forget.

Colney Heath's draw ended a run of seven consecutive away games, and the club returns to the Recreation Ground to host Harlow Town. They also host Benfleet in the second round of the FA Vase on 31 October. Earlier in the week they beat Aylesbury Vale Dynamos 5-0 away, which the club reported included a hat-trick.

Dunstable were busy off the pitch, confirming a run of registrations including Ryan Hawkins from MK Irish, George Wilde from Harpenden Town and the return of Luke Beckwith and Elliott Kettle. Connor Tomlinson arrived on dual registration from Biggleswade Town, and Ollie Webster on work experience from Wycombe Wanderers. Dunstable drew 3-3 with Tring Athletic on Saturday. Tring then beat Newport Pagnell Town 2-1 on Tuesday. Newport Pagnell had lost 2-0 at home to Enfield on Saturday, goals coming from Vukaj and George Thompson.

At Harpenden Town, 349 people attended the club's second Macmillan Cancer Support fundraising match against Biggleswade United, which Harpenden won. Potton United and Kempston Rovers drew 0-0 on Tuesday, and Potton signed Jordan Brown from Eynesbury and Israel Ajana from Dunstable.