PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL | WEEKEND REVIEW

Tight at the top

In the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central, our Star Game saw Mickleover knocked off top spot after they fell to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of AFC Telford United.

An early goal from Fraser Kerr proved to be the difference as the visitors strengthened their place within the top five as only four points separate each of the teams.

Needham Market went back to the top following their commanding 4-0 triumph over Kettering Town. It took until the stroke of half-time for Luke Ingram to open the scoring before the floodgates opened in the second period with Jamie McGrath scoring twice with a Nico Valentine goal in between.

Sitting in second place is Leamington who had to show patience in their 2-0 win at Berkhamsted. Will Shorrock finally broke the deadlock on the hour before Jiah Medrano doubled the advantage with just over ten minutes to go.

There was a dramatic encounter at Redditch United as they went down to a 4-3 home defeat at the hands of Coalville Town. It was the visitors who opened the scoring through Tim Berridge but within minutes, AJ George had equalised and Reece Flanagan had turned the scoreline around.

Berridge levelled in first half stoppage time before Alex Cameron put The Reds back in front and had manager, Matt Clarke, dreaming of his first win as manager over Coalville. However, Terell Pennant had other ideas and his brace gave his side the victory, with the winning goal come eight minutes from time.

A crowd of 3,150 was present at Halesowen Town to see them edge past neighbours, Stourbridge thanks to Ryan Wynter’s goal a couple of minutes from the end of the first half.

It was far more convincing for St. Ives Town as they beat Leiston 5-0 with Jonny Edwards giving them a half-time lead before four second half goals followed from Michael Richens, a second for Edwards, Daniel Barton and Khristopher Oti.

Two teams came from behind to secure home victories. Royton Town conceded a goal early in the second half to Romario Dunne of AFC Sudbury before hitting back through Fabio Virciglio, who followed up his goal from the last game, and Joshua Coldicott-Stevens who bagged the winner.

Over at Stratford Town, Lee Shaw gave visitors, Stamford, a first half lead until Paul McCone and Charlie Williams scored within the final ten minutes to give their side the win and put them level on points with their opponents, just outside the play-off places.

Bromsgrove Sporting beat Long Eaton United 4-1 with Tristan Dunkley setting them on their way at the end of the opening period. Although George Atwal equalised at the start of the second half, the home side soon regained control with David Solademi and Conor Tee scoring in quick succession before Elliott Ball rounded things off.

The day’s other game ended even as Dan Sweeney popped up with a stoppage time leveller to earn Alvechurch a share of the spoils from a 2-2 draw at Barwell, for whom Ethan Hill and Tremayne Charles put them two goals to the good. Jaanai Gordon gave Church a lifeline in first half stoppage time.

IMAGE: Needham Market FC