PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL | REVIEW

Defeat for leaders

There was a third Pitching In Southern League Premier Central defeat of the season for leaders, Mickleover, as they lost 2-1 at Halesowen Town who remain on the cusp of the top five.

Goals from Todd Parker and Caine Elliott, early in the second period, put the Yeltz in command and whilst Andrew Dales pulled a goal back to set up a grandstand finish, the home side held on.

Having come from behind to secure a 2-1 victory at Barwell, second-placed Needham Market are now just two points behind. George Ward gave the home side the lead before Seth Carroll-Chambers restored parity on the stroke of half-time. It gave the visitors the impetus to go on and grab the winner through Luke Ingram.

There was an intriguing battle at Hitchin Town where they home side lost 2-1 at the hands of fellow high-flyers, Leamington, for whom Callum Stewart set them on their way before Ewan Williams doubled the advantage. Bradley Bell pulled a goal back but it wasn’t enough.

Also sitting in amongst the leading pack are Redditch United who beat Royston Town 3-1, helped by a brace from Birthday boy, Alex Cameron, with a goal from Reece Flanagan sandwiched in between. The visitors found the net at the start of the second period through Kian Harness.

Big winners of the day were St. Ives Town who brushed aside bottom of the table, Long Eaton United, by five goals to nil. The home side raced into a three-goal lead within the opening half-an-hour as Jonny Edwards, Brandon Njoku and Jordan Williams found the net. Edwards bagged a second in the opening exchanges of the second half before Khristopher Oti completed the scoring.

The other game to survive the weather was at Stratford Town where the home side were rewarded with a 2-1 victory over Coalville Town as Jack Storer and Callum Ebanks put them two goals to the good before Kieran Cook rustled up what proved to be a consolation goal.

Five games fell victim to the freezing weather conditions.

IMAGE: Leamington FC