PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL | WEEKEND REVIEW

The latest action

The Pitching In Southern League Premier Central saw Needham Market continue to march on as they battled out a 2-1 victory over Barwell.

Goals from Luke Ingram and Jamie McGrath put them in the driving seat during the opening period and whilst Brady Hickey pulled a goal back late on, they were able to see out their 22nd success of the season.

Working hard to stay on their heels are Mickleover who had an Ethan Mann goal midway through the second half to thank for their victory over Halesowen Town.

Meanwhile Redditch United succumbed to a 1-0 reverse at Royston Town who secured the points thanks to Alfie Williams’ goal with just over 20 minutes to go. The victory keeps the play-off dreams of the home side alive.

AFC Telford United are up to third place after a brace from Montel Gibson in the opening exchanges of the second period gave them a 2-1 victory over Stamford, for whom Harry Vince pulled a goal back in the final quarter-of-an-hour.

It was a special day at Leamington as manager, Paul Holleran, celebrated 700 games in charge of the club and his team did him proud by beating Hitchin Town 3-0 thanks to two goals from the evergreen Tyrone Barnett and a stoppage time effort from Ewan Williams.

In the lower reaches of the table, Berkhamsted won for only the second time in 33 League games as they beat Bromsgrove Sporting 2-1. A penalty from Max Bustamante MacAire was the perfect way for them to start the second half and then Tom Newman doubled the advantage late on. A goal deep into stoppage time from Billy Shaw proved to be mere consolation for Tim Flowers’ side.

Fellow strugglers, Long Eaton United came close to also securing a win against St. Ives Town, who went ahead through Josh Tominson. Within a couple of minutes of that goal, Callum Cocks had levelled and then the same player turned the scoreline around on 26 minutes. A third goal arrived before the break as Liam Loughlan put the home side in command.

However, the visitors were able to hit back with Myles Cowling reducing the deficit with just over 20 minutes to go before Jonny Edwards made it 3-3 on 82 minutes and that’s how it stayed.

AFC Sudbury’s recent upturn in results was hit by Kettering Town who claimed three precious points courtesy of a 1-0 away win as Michael Reindorf Junior bagged what proved to be the winner on the 15-minute mark.

It was also 1-0 at Alvechurch where Jaanai Gordon’s penalty early in the second period proved to be the difference as they beat Stourbridge, whilst the day’s other game ended all square as Coalville Town and Stratford Town shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Dan Lafferty gave the visitors the lead on 80 minutes before Ben Hart conjured up a last-minute leveller.

IMAGE: Needham Market FC