PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL | WEEKEND REVIEW

Plenty of goals flying in

There were plenty of goals flying in throughout the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central.

Sitting pretty at the top are Redditch United who went to Halesowen Town and got back into winning ways courtesy of a 2-1 triumph. Recent loan arrival, Jack Concannon, opened his scoring account for Redditch by putting them in front just before the hour but his effort was cancelled out by Miracle Okafor who equalised on 78 minutes. The winning goal came from Danny King with five minutes to go.

Two late goals saw Needham Market earn a dramatic 3-2 success at Berkhamsted. It was the hosts who burst out of the blocks and they took an early lead through Ross Oulton. Nico Valentine celebrated his loan extension by equalising only for a penalty from Matthew Bateman to put the hosts back in front. It took two late goals in quick succession from Luke Ingram to secure a hard-earned three points.

It was just as dramatic for Mickleover who had to wait until stoppage time at the end to overcome the challenge of Bromsgrove Sporting, for whom Tim Flowers was in charge for the first time. Ethan Mann was the hero with a 92nd minute goal.

A hat-trick from Callum Ebanks helped Stratford Town on their way to a 4-3 away win at Hitchin Town. Layne Eadie gave the home side the lead during the opening period but it was cancelled out early in the second half by Daniel Lafferty. It was then time for Ebanks to take over as he put his side ahead for the first time. Josh Popoola levelled but within a minute Ebanks had found the net again and then completed his hat-trick with ten minutes to go. Popoola’s second of the afternoon proved to be too little, too late.

There was a convincing victory for AFC Telford United as they swept Kettering Town aside by four goals to nil. Montel Gibson set them on their way and then Kyle Storer grabbed a second before the break. Ricardo Dinanga added a third goal before Gibson completed the scoring late on.

A special afternoon for Jack Edwards in his 400th game for the club saw Leamington beat in-form Royston Town 3-1. It was a perfect start for the Brakes as Adam Walker opened the scoring within the first minute and then Callum Stewart made it two just after the quarter-hour mark. A third from Will Shorrock early in the second period sealed the win, even though Kian Harness was to pull one back for the visitors.

There were away wins for Barwell and Alvechurch. Goals from Beck-Ray Enoru and Jahvan Davidson-Miller put Barwell firmly in the driving seat at Leiston, for whom Eddie Jackson pulled one back but it wasn’t enough.

Meanwhile Alvechurch went three goals up at Long Eaton United through Yaw Nantwi-Ofosu and Ethan Patterson in the first half and Jaanai Gordon early in the second half. A brace from Andy Mandjoba brought the hosts right back in it before Kartell Dawkins made it 4-2 to Church.

The day’s other game aw AFC Sudbury come from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Stamford. Jack Duffy and James Blunden put the hosts in command only for Joe Neal and Jake Turner to secure a share of the spoils as the home side saw a stoppage time penalty saved by James Philp.

St. Ives Town’s home game with Coalville Town was postponed.

IMAGE: Leamington FC