PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE | SATURDAY REVIEW

The final action of 2023

There were a reduced number of games across our four divisions on Saturday as some fixtures will be taking place on New Year’s Day instead.

In the Pitching In Southern League Premier South, there were three scheduled games, of which two took place with the other, between Poole Town and Plymouth Parkway, postponed.

Salisbury missed the chance to go top as they were held to a goalless draw at Basingstoke Town, whilst Swindon Supermarine recovered from going a goal down early on to beat Didcot Town 4-1 with four second half goals.

A ninth minute strike from Seth Humphries put the visitors in front before an own goal from Adam Learoyd levelled matters early in the second period. Ten minutes later, Jake Andrews turned the scoreline on its head and then Ryan Campbell added a third goal with just over ten minutes left to play.

The scoring was completed by Zac Kotwica as Supermarine moved up to 16th place in the table.

Over in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central, there were also just two games which took place and the day belonged to Berkhamsted who won for only the second time this season with a tremendous 3-1 away win at Hitchin Town.

Having seen their manager depart just a few days ago, Berko fell behind on the half-hour mark as Finley Wilkinson found the net. But they refused to let their heads drop and Hamilton Bunga equalised on his debut before the returning Nathan Frater hit two late goals to win it.

The other game saw Leiston chalk up a commanding victory over Nuneaton Borough to end their year on a high.

A goal just before the half-hour mark from Joseph Marsden set them on their way as Jamar Loza doubled their advantage and Jack Manly put the cherry on top of the cake to take his side to the 30-point mark.

There may have only been two games in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South, but they yielded a total of ten goals between them.

Willand Rovers got back on track with a 5-1 triumph over Paulton Rovers as Alfie Moulden set them on their way within the opening minute. The visitors’ player-manager, Kyle Tooze, restored parity but it was to last only briefly before Ross Edwards hit a second goal and Josh Ford added a third before the break.

Two quickfire goals from Douglas Camilo in the second period made it a positive day for the home side who sit just outside the play-off places.

Leaders, Wimborne Town, scored twice in each half to overcome the challenge of Bashley in front of a crowd of over 1,200. Sam Jackson opened the scoring on the half-hour and ten minutes later, Billy Walker doubled their advantage.

After the break, Ben Scorey got his name on the scoresheet before Sam Griffen rounded off a good afternoon’s work.

Only one game took place in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central and it was a positive end to the year for Welwyn Garden City who went to Waltham Abbey and won 4-1.

It was the home side who took the lead through Jason Hallett on 16 minutes but that was cancelled out on the half-hour by Brad Wadkins. As half-time approached, Bailey Stevenson scored twice in quick succession to put his side in the driving seat.

The second period saw Cyrus Babaie-Gumbs complete the scoring and leave his side just five points off the top five.

There will be plenty more action across all four divisions on New Year’s Day which, for those who have lost track, is on Monday.

IMAGE: Alex White Sports Photos