PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL | WEEKEND REVIEW

Needham Market top of the tree

The Pitching In Southern League Premier Central sees Needham Market top of the tree for Christmas after their commanding 3-0 win at Alvechurch and Mickleover’s 2-2 draw at Hitchin Town.

Two goals from Seth Carroll-Chambers with a Luke Ingram effort sandwiched in between saw The Marketmen secure a deserved three points and make it just two defeats from 20 League games.

Meanwhile at Hitchin there were four goals shared as Leon Clarke put the visitors a goal to the good early on only for Layne Eadie to cancel it out before the quarter-hour mark. Ben Sault restored Mickleover’s advantage early in the second period only for that man Eadie to find the net once more with just over 20 minutes to go and that’s how it remained.

It was a happy day for Harry Landers as his first half hat-trick helped Leamington to a 3-1 victory over St. Ives Town to maintain the Brakes’ challenge. Jordan Williams hit a consolation effort for the visitors during the second period.

There was away day joy for Redditch United at Kettering Town. Skipper, Reece Flanagan, put them ahead early on and then Aram Soleman made it two at the start of the second half before Tyrone Lewthwaite pulled one back but it was all in vain.

In-form Stamford had to settle for a share of the spoils at home to Bromsgrove Sporting. Conor Tee set the visitors on their way with another impressive goal on two minutes before Lee Shaw levelled. Just five minutes later, Tom Taylor put the Rouslers back in front until Rob Morgan earned a point at the start of the second half.

It was six of the best for Stourbridge as they tore apart Berkhamsted. New signing, Ethan Freemantle made his presence felt within seven minutes of his debut by putting the Glassboys in front and then Brad Bood made it two. Freemantle added a third on the stroke of half-time before Harvey Portman grabbed a fourth early in the second period. Joel Kettle found the net on the hour and Dexter Walters completed the scoring at the death.

At the bottom, Long Eaton United lost 2-1 at home to Halesowen Town, for whom Sim Cobourne put them ahead only for Joseph Nyahwema to cancel it out ten minutes later. What proved to be the winner came from Richard Gregory soon after the restart.

AFC Sudbury picked up a good three points from a 4-2 triumph over Nuneaton Borough. Adam Mills put them in front and then a couple of minutes later, Philip Brown-Bampoe hit a second. Matt Stenson reduced the arrears before the break and it took until the 80th minute for the home side to restore their two-goal advantage through Joe Neal. The final minute saw Leroy Lita pull another goal back from the penalty spot but straightaway Reuben Marshall settled home nerves.

There were home wins for AFC Telford United and Leiston. In front of a crowd of just under 1,000, Jordan Piggott set AFC Telford on their way against Barwell, who equalised through Brady Hickey. The winner came from the boot of Byron Moore nine minutes from time.

At Leiston, Jamar Loza scored early on against Stratford Town before George Quantrell sealed the points in stoppage time at the end.

The day’s other game finished level as Luke Shaw put Coalville Town in front against Royston Town who grabbed a share of the spoils deep into stoppage time courtesy of Louis Chadwick.

IMAGE: Steve Screech