Stotfold 1-1 Ampthill Town at New Roker Park.

Attendance: 404

Brett Donnelly's Stotfold were held to a 1-1 draw against visitors Ampthill Town, in front of an impressive crowd of 404 for their Bank Holiday Monday clash.

Despite dominating throughout the match, the Eagles went ahead in the 82nd minute through their talented No10 Devonte Simms.

As the clock ticked down, The Amps unexpectedly replied through their No9 late on to make it 1-1, to grab a share of the spoils they barely deserved.

First half: Stotfold 0-0 Ampthill

Earlier, Stotfold controlled the first half with Donnelly's side racking up a number of missed chances, including Ashley Kersley steering narrowly wide after a driving run by Simms.

Stotfold have earned plaudits all season on and off the pitch an d despite Monday's draw, the club is growing all the time.

Not least with a burgeoning girls section which saw a raft of youngsters from the U13 Lilacs side invited as mascots for the holiday clash with Ampthill. Not that they needed any enticement as soaraway Stotfold continue to register impressive attendances throughout their record breaking season so far.

No wonder the astute Donnelly has seen a number of his impressive youth team products already making their first team bow, with players already moving onto higher levels. Including Temi Akinbusoye, who moved to Step 4 Barton Rovers after the 17-year-old notched seven goals for Stotfold before changing clubs in December.

While there can be no certainties in football, there is no doubt that progressive, impressive, Stotfold deserve to be playing at an elevated level next term.

Given the quality of their performances so far this season - in a campaign that saw them start 2022 six points clear of second place Wilmslow and a whopping 13 points ahead of Monday's visitors Ampthill, albeit with games in hand by both challengers for a title that must already be considered Stotfold's to lose.

And while there was no repeat of the result of their last match, a 10-2 trouncing of Thame United, Donnelly's side created just as many chances against The Amps.

Stotfold: A progressive, community-minded club

Yet, while Stotfold might be a club looking up, they are firmly rooted in their locality, and are as humble as they are community-minded.

The success of the new clubhouse testament to that with a packed room at the interval enjoying bonhomie and a beer as kids played happily and parents and those associated with the club mingled, exchanging the latest news. For £30 a season clubhouse membership is a bargain.

As is the £6 adult entry to New Roker Park, as Donnelly's braves continue to entertain, with the boss ably bolstered by his loyal deputies including cousin and noted former playing servant Paul Donnelly offering sage advice from the touch line - clad in shorts and signature bobble hat, no matter what the winter weather throws at him.

Second half: Stotfold 1-1 Ampthill Town

There was evidence aplenty of yet more attacking verve after the interval, as the home side continued to dominate in their hunt for an opening goal to break the deadlock.

Joseph Ryan narrowly curled over moments after the break, prior to a maurauding run by No7 Jordan Stephenson was foiled by Ampthill keeper Will Barrett.

The creative Stephenson then played a ball into the box which saw centre-back Connor Clarke's header blocked by the increasingly overworked Barrett between the sticks.

Codi Lee Spavins fired wide after a sweeping move with Stotfold's dominance total when No15 Jake David fired just over the bar ten minutes later.

Davis then saw his close range effort blocked by Barratt as the obdurate Ampthill backline refused to be beaten.

Despite late calls for handball after a rare Ampthill attack and their No6's header flying wide moments later, the match appeared to be ending goalless.

That was before Simms snuck into the box to slot home from close range, with only eight minutes remaining.

It was a neat finish by Simms, with defenders bearing down on him, as he made it 1-0, to prompt an eruption of joy from the home support, no doubt a mixture of relief as much as jubilation.

However, just when it appeared Stotfold would be extending their lead at the top of the Spartan South Midland Division table, Ampthill equalised.

The goal came through their No9, when his shot went in off Liam Gooch's left hand post, to send the handful of visiting supporters into raptures.

Frustratingly for the home support, it was the visitors first shot of the game that saw them level to make the final score 1-1, as they headed back up the A507 with a scarcely deserved point.