Coalville Move Three Points Clear

Coalville Town recovered from last Saturday’s defeat at Stratford Town to move 3 points clear at the top of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central table on Tuesday night.

The Ravens won 3-0 at Lye Meadow against Alvechurch in front of a crowd of 406 boosted by a good number of visiting supporters.

Coalville came out of the traps fast and put the home side under a good deal of pressure.

It looked like Alvechurch had weathered the storm when the visitors broke the deadlock seconds before half-time when Eliot Putman’s cross was converted by Billy Kee.

Soon after the restart, Coalville keeper Paul White was forced into a good save to deny Danny Waldron, but on 54 minutes, Adam Stevens` side went two-up, thanks to a fine half-volley finish by Luke Shaw.

And victory was assured in the 73rd minute when Herve Pepe-Ngoma got his head to a long high ball first and nodded past `Church keeper Dan Jezeph.

Coalville now await the outcome of second-placed Tamworth’s home clash with Nuneaton Borough before heading into their final game of the season at home to Stourbridge on Saturday.

There were two other matches on Tuesday, with little riding on them apart from pride and final placings.

Kings Langley and Bedford Town, two already-relegated teams, hosted Hitchin Town and Basford United respectively.

Hitchin claimed revenge on Hertfordshire rivals Kings Langley, who beat them 4-2 at Top Field on Boxing Day, thanks to a Finley Wilkinson goal 8 minutes into the second half at the Orbital Fasteners Stadium.

Hitchin are now 11th in the table.

Basford moved up to 13th after a 2-0 success at The Eyrie against Bedford.

Ben Starkie gave the Nottinghamshire visitors an early 7th minute lead that Anthony Dwyer doubled 11 minutes into the second half.