PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH | BOXING DAY REVIEW

Late drama for leaders

The Boxing Day action in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South saw leaders, Chesham United, leave it late to win 2-1 at Beaconsfield Town.

They were set on their way in the opening exchanges of the second period when Ricardo German opened the scoring only for an own goal from Ryan Upward to level matters. The winner came in the 94th minute from Zak Joseph.

Meanwhile Salisbury also hit a stoppage time goal to snatch a share of the spoils in their home game against Winchester City.

The visitors edged ahead on the stroke of half-time through Thomas Wright before a Sido Jombati penalty restored parity. Trevor Caborn restored Winchester’s lead before Wayne Robinson made it 2-2.

A goal on the hour from Sam Hookey was enough to give Gosport Borough a single-goal victory over Sholing, whilst Merthyr Town enjoyed a 4-1 triumph over Swindon Supermarine. Goals in quick succession by Ricardo Rees and Oliver Mehew at the end of the opening period put the Welsh outfot in command and although Henry Spalding pulled one back, Rees went on to complete his hat-trick with two goals in the final 18 minutes.

The top five is completed by Hungerford Town who battled out a 1-0 win at Didcot Town thanks to a goal from Adulai Sambú.

There were 3-1 away wins for Hendon and Hanwell Town. For Hendon they came from behind to beat Harrow Borough, for whom Excellence Muhemba opened the scoring. Niko Muir-Merchant equalised just before the interval and they were able to build on it with second half strikes from Kai Omoko Brosnan and Hamza Bin-Semakula.

Daniel Fosu set Hanwell on their way at Hayes & Yeading United with a goal just before the interval and Jenson Wright doubled the advantage in the early exchanges of the second period. A penalty from Michael Fernandes brought the home side back into it only for Fosu to seal the three points with his second of the game in the closing stages.

Also celebrating victory on the road were Poole Town who came away from Dorchester Town 2-1 victors. Tobias Holmes set them on their way before a Jack Dickson own goal doubled the advantage before the half-hour mark. Will Spetch’s strike for the hosts proved to be too little, too late.

Bracknell Town enjoyed a solid 3-0 success against Walton & Hersham as Jordan Espirit bagged a brace after Haydon Vaughan had opened the scoring.

The remaining games ended all square as AFC Totton and Basingstoke Town shared four goals. Leon Maloney and Scott Rendell set the home side on their way, but the two-goal lead was wiped out through two goals in a three-minute spell from Daniel Rowe and Marcus Johnson-Schuster.

There was late drama at Plymouth Parkway as Matthew Wright hit a 97th minute equaliser to cancel out Jamie Richards’ 40th minute opener for Tiverton Town.

IMAGE: Ian Middlebrook