PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL | WEEKEND REVIEW

Goalless draws for the top two

The top two were both held to goalless draws in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central.

Needham Market couldn’t find a way past a resolute Coalville Town, whilst second-placed Mickleover played out a stalemate with third-placed Leamington.

Just below them, Hitchin Town came from behind to win 2-1 at St. Ives Town. An own goal from Stanley Georgiou put the home team ahead with 20 minutes to go but a brace from Arnold Matshazi quickly turned things around.

Also tucked inside the top five are Stratford Town as they too had to come from behind to overcome the challenge of Alvechurch, who took the lead through Nick Clayton-Phillips just before the half-hour mark. Goals from Callum Ebanks and Jack Storer (pictured) turned the scoreline around as half-time approached only for Clayton-Phillips to pop up with his second to level matters. A late strike from Charlie Williams won the day for The Bards.

There was victory for Redditch United who were pushed all the way by AFC Sudbury. Callum Rowe and Calum Flanagan put the home side in command as Tom Dickens pulled a goal back but it proved too little, too late as The Reds prospered 2-1.

Kettering Town were able to pull themselves away from the danger zone following a dramatic stoppage time win at Halesowen Town. Tyrone Lewthwaite wasted little time at the start of the second half to put the visitors ahead only for Richard Gregory to level before Sam Bennett became the hero for the Poppies with a 97th minute goal.

A stoppage time goal from Sam McClelland earned Berkhamsted a point from a 2-2 draw with Stamford, who went ahead through Ashton Offier. An equaliser from Olumayowa Lawal followed six minutes later before Will Glennon put the visitors back in front just past the half-hour mark.

The woe continued for bottom of the table Long Eaton United as they succumbed to a 3-0 reverse at Royston Town, for whom Oluwajuwon Akintunde opened the scoring early on. Adam Murray and Damaray Anyadike found the net in the second period.

Barwell secured three deserved points as they beat Stourbridge 3-1. Brady Hickey gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time but within a couple of minutes of the restart, youngster, Alfie Steward, had levelled the scores. Beck-Ray Enoru put the hosts back in front and they never looked back as Jahvan Davidson-Miller sealed the victory late on.

The day’s other game saw Bromsgrove Sporting and Leiston play out a hard-fought goalless draw.

IMAGE: Stratford Town