REVIEW | TUESDAY ACTION

Drama across all four divisions

There was action across all four of our divisions on Tuesday evening.

In the Pitching In Southern League Premier South, leaders Merthyr Town left it late to salvage a point from their home encounter with Basingstoke Town as Kiban Rai’s stoppage time goal cancelled out Jaden Thompson-Brissett’s opener for the visitors just before the half-hour mark.

Continuing their impressive recent form was Hungerford Town who chalked up a commanding 3-0 triunmph over Chertsey Town. A Conor Lee own goal set them on their way early on before Jordan Ibe doubled the advantage and then Joe Beardwell rounded things off in the closing stages.

It was honours even at Hanwell Town where the hosts played out a 2-2 draw with Wimborne Town. Joe Waight gave the home side the lead on 18 minutes but that was cancelled out right on the stroke of half-time by Matt Burrows. With just over 20 minutes to go, Will Hall regained the lead for the hosts only for Jack Lovell to level matters in the 78th minute.

Over in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central, leaders AFC Telford United were given a tough time by bottom of the table, Biggleswade Town, as it ended all square in a 1-1 draw. Daniel Izekor gave the visitors the lead, which they held until three minutes from time when Matty Stenson grabbed a point.

The impressive form of Alvechurch continued as Brad Stretton’s goal midway through the second period was enough to see of the challenge of Bishop’s Stortford. It was the same scoreline at Banbury United where Harry Reilly’s goal was enough to beat Kettering Town and also at Royston Town as Jesse Akubuine’s 17th minute strike saw Bedford Town go home pointless.

There was a good away win for AFC Sudbury as they beat Lowestoft Town 3-1. Oliver Peters and Callum Page put them two goals to the good in the opening half-an-hour only for Joseph Duffy to reduce the arrears. However, Myles Cowling hit a third goal in the opening exchanges of the second half to kill of any hopes of a home comeback.

The leaders of the Pitching In Southern League Division One South were also in action and just like their counterparts in the Premier South and Central, they too were held to a 1-1 home draw as Yate Town and Bideford shared the spoils. Lucas Tomlinson fired the hosts ahead towards the end of the opening period, but it was cancelled out by a Lewis Hall own goal with around 20 minutes to go.

Evesham United strengthened their position within the leading pack courtesy of a 2-0 triumph at Cinderford Town. Second half goals from Reegan Messenger and Levi Steele gave them the three points.

In the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central, there was late drama for Berkhamsted as they snatched a 2-1 win at Welwyn Garden City courtesy of a stoppage time winner. The home side took the lead on 76 minutes with a goal from Panayiotis Boxer which looked like delivering the knock-out blow, but the visitors quickly got up off the canvass as JJ Lacey levelled two minutes later before going on to get the all-important winning goal with 95 minutes on the clock.

Late goals were also the order of the day at Thame United as they drew 4-4 with Stotfold despite finding themselves four goals down just past the hour-mark. Codi-Lee Spavins and Ashley Kersey put the visitors two goals up in the opening ten minutes before Mitchell Gooch added another early in the second period. When Spavins notched his second on 62 minutes, it looked like being game over, but the hosts had other ideas. The evergreen Jefferson Louis pulled one back a couple of minutes later and then Ty Deacon hit another with eight minutes to go. Gregory Hackett made it 4-3 in the final minute before Curtis Brown notched a dramatic leveller in stoppage time.

Hertford Town came from behind to beat Kidlington 2-1. Nathaniel Opoku broke the deadlock for the visitors only for Roman Chapps to restore parity just before the interval. The winner came from player-manager, Ben Herd midway through the second half.

IMAGE: Hungerford Town FC