Pitching In Southern League Premier Central Review

No stopping Mickleover who extend lead at the top

There’s no stopping Mickleover right now as they recorded their seventh straight win to go seven points clear at the top of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central table.

Their latest victims were Leiston, who finished third last season, but were blown away with a 5-0 defeat as Marcus Barnes scored twice with Oliver Greaves, Will Atkinson and Jake Bennett bagging the other goals, four of which came in the second half.

Up to second place are Needham Market who needed a 75th minute penalty from Daniel Morphew to overcome the challenge of Stourbridge, who are now fourth in the table, one place behind neighbours, Halesowen Town, who they meet on Tuesday evening.

The Yeltz warmed up for that one with a 2-0 victory over Stamford in front of a crowd of over 1,000 at The Grove as Sim Cobourne hit both goals within the final 20 minutes. For Stamford it was their first loss of the season.

Royston Town are in the top five after they beat Alvechurch 4-1. Things started so well for Church as Ammar Dyer gave them the lead but it soon turned sour as Dyer and young goalkeeper, Harvey Randle, were both sent off as Adam Murray and Cain Keller turned the scoreline around before the break with Samson Esan and a second from Keller rounding things off. Alvechurch also had manager, Ian Long, sent off to complete a day to forget.

Down at the bottom, it was a day of celebration for Long Easton United as they secured their first points of the season courtesy of a 1-0 away win at Berkhamsted (pictured). A 67th minute goal from Micah Jebbison won the day.

There was also a first win of the campaign for Kettering Town as they came home from Bromsgrove Sporting with a 2-1 triumph thanks to early goals from Tyrone Lewthwaite and the veteran Kelvin Langmead. A stoppage time strike from Kieron Berry proved to be too little, too late for the home side.

Nuneaton Borough were back on form thanks to a convincing 4-1 victory over Coalville Town. The evergreen Leroy Lita set them on their way with the opener and although Andi Thanoj levelled matters, goals from Matt Stenson, Alexander Lafleur and Connor Furlong gave Boro a much-needed win.

Also hitting four goals were Stratford Town who beat AFC Sudbury 4-2. Callum Ebanks and Dan Lafferty put The Bards in control during the opening period before Andre Edionhon Silvera reduced the arrears early in the second half. But a brace from Jack Storer, the first of which was from the penalty spot, was enough to secure the points even though Joe Neal pulled another goal back.

AFC Telford United left it late to win 3-2 at St. Ives Town as Montel Gibson scored the all-important goal in the final minute, whilst two goals in the final eight minutes, from Devon Kelly-Evans and Callum Stewart (penalty), earned Leamington a second away win of the season at Barwell.

There was only one drawn game as Hitchin Town and Redditch United shared four goals at Top Field. A Ciaren Jones own goal gave Redditch the lead but the home side hit back within four minutes through Diogo Freitas Gouveia. Hitchin went ahead just before the break through Kye Tearle only for Reece Flanagan to earn a share of the spoils for his side early in the second period.