Date: Sat 23 Dec 2023

By Andy Poole

PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH | WEEKEND REVIEW

Chesham take Christmas Number One

The Pitching In Southern League Premier South sees Chesham United take the Christmas number one spot thanks to their 2-0 victory over Dorchester Town and Salisbury’s 1-0 defeat at in-form Hungerford Town.

Chesham had to be patient to overcome the challenge of Dorchester as Jordan Edwards edged them in front with 20 minutes to go before Ogochukwu Obi made the game safe in stoppage time at the end.

Meanwhile Elis Watts struck on 75 minutes to extend Hungerford’s unbeaten run and leave them just outside the play-off places as Salisbury lost for the fourth time this season.

There was a good 4-0 away win for Gosport Borough at play-off hopefuls, Walton & Hersham as Dan Wooden grabbed a first half hat-trick to put them in the driving seat before Gerson Da Costa Ramos completed the scoring late on.

A goal either side of half-time from Ricardo Rees and Gethyn Hill saw Merthyr Town secure a 2-0 away triumph at Sholing, whilst AFC Totton had to settle for a point from a goalless draw at Hanwell Town.

At the bottom there was just a second win of the season for Didcot Town as they prospered 4-2 at Basingstoke Town. It was actually the home side who took the lead on five minutes through George Reid, but that was soon wiped out by Sam Barder.

As half-time approached, Ben Putland turned the scoreline on its head only for Bradley Wilson to level things up early in the second period. Adam Learoyd put Didcot back in front and this time they were able to add to their lead through Patrick Osborne to step into Christmas with a win.

They are now six points behind Harrow Borough who slipped to a narrow 1-0 reverse at Poole Town, for whom Tony-James Lee was on the scoresheet once more, just after the hour-mark.

There was another win for a resurgent Swindon Supermarine as they beat Bracknell Town 3-1, recovering from a one-goal half-time deficit to do so. It was Max Herbert who put the visitors in front midway through the opening period before Bradley Gray equalised early in the second half. They went on to complete the job through Jake Andrews and Ryan Campbell.

Plymouth Parkway had an away day success to savour thanks to a 2-0 victory at Hendon as Toby Down put them up on the quarter-hour mark as Jack Crago doubled the advantage on the hour.

Elsewhere two late levellers secured draws for Tiverton Town and Winchester City. At Tiverton, the home side found themselves two goals down to Beaconsfield Town courtesy of strikes within three minutes of each other from James Dobson and Asher Yearwood. Jack Rice-Lethaby gave them a lifeline on the stroke of half-time before Theo Cutler levelled three minutes into stoppage time.

Over at Winchester, it was visitors, Hayes & Yeading United, who got their noses in front through Ronan Silva and they held their lead for 70 minutes until Simbarashe Mlambo made it honours even right at the death.


IMAGE: Josh Barrett

Get Stuck In!

Southern Football League, Volunteer and help out your local football club!

Get involved with your club!

Most clubs are looking for volunteers. Find out more on the button below:

www.PitchingInVolunteers.co.uk

Pitching In Southern League

All the news and results in one place.

REGISTER