UCL Review 2014-2015

UNDER 21 DIVISION: COLLEGE THE FIRST WINNERS

The first season of the new Under 21 Division proved an eventful, but ultimately successful one, after a difficult beginning. Both Biggleswade Town and Peterborough Sports withdrew before the campaign kicked off, while Wootton were a mid season departure due to a shortage of players, having picked up just a single point from their ten matches played.

Their exit prompted a change in structure as the initial plan for clubs to play each other three times was revised to a four meeting programme.

With teams from clubs at steps 3, 4 and 5 plus a couple of teams from college set ups participating it was hard to predict how the season would go. Histon had enjoyed an impressive pre season and Kettering appeared to have assembled a strong squad. The pair shared eight goals in an opening day encounter and had solid starts, but an eye opening result on the last Saturday of September saw Milton Keynes College outgun Histon 5-2. A week later MK were beaten by Kettering and the early signs were that the league would develop into a three horse race for honours. November saw MK take on both their rivals again with the College winning their second encounter with the Poppies but losing to the Stutes. Milton Keynes had played more matches than their rivals when the season broke for the Christmas holdays, and they continued to hold the upper hand in the new year. They did lose to both of their rivals for honours early in 2015 but Kettering dropped points to Football CV and Histon slipped up against AFC Kempston.

The Stutes slipped out of contention in the spring, suffering six goal reverses against both MK College and Kettering who took seven points from three April meetings of the clubs.

Milton Keynes became the inaugural champions by beating Kettering 3-0 in their penultimate match, with the Poppies securing second place a week later with a win over Histon, who were themselves overhauled by fast finishing AFC Kempston for third place.

Football CV Reds moved above AFC Rushden & Diamonds at the foot of the table after closing the season with a win over Histon.

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