Hitchin Go Nap On Opening Saturday

Premier Division Central round-up.

The 2020/21 Pitching In Southern Football League campaign finally got underway on a glorious Saturday afternoon.

Would the pre-season results count for anything once the serious stuff gets going or will a team surprise maybe even their own supporters!?

The Premier Division Central`s top clash was at the Bee Arena where Peterborough Sports, who were top of the table when lockdown occurred, took on a Tamworth team who were also looking good for promotion.

In front of just under 300, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd gave the Lambs the lead in the 41st minute.

Sports hit back within 2 minutes through Dion Sembie-Ferris

And it ended one apiece, with the visitors losing Aaron Forde to a second yellow card in the 2nd minute of stoppage time.

Biggest winners of the opening day were Hitchin Town, who beat Alvechurch 5-1 at Top Field.

The Canaries got off to a great start when Jay Dhillon was fouled in the area after 5 minutes and Layne Eadie put away the resulting penalty.

Callum Stead then doubled the home side`s lead on 23 minutes.

Kieran Cook pulled Ian Long`s side back into the contest on the hour-mark, also from the spot, but just 2 minutes later, Luke Brown restored Hitchin`s two-goal advantage and 6 minutes after that, it was game over when Stead`s second made it 4-1 – Marcus Gouldbourne making it a nap hand with 10 minutes remaining.

Stourbridge also started well, winning 4-1 at Keys Park against fancied Hednesford Town in front of 600.

Greg Mills put the Glassboys in front after 21 minutes, only for Danny Glover to pull the Pitmen back on terms on 33 minutes.

Mills` second in first half injury-time restored the visitors advantage and then an Andre Landell brace in the 71st and 76th minutes sealed an emphatic win for the Glassboys.

Other opening day away winners were Rushall Olympic and Lowestoft Town.

The Pics won 1-0 at Lowestoft`s neighbours Leiston, courtesy of a 79th minute header from Sam Whittall.

The Trawlerboys were 2-1 winners at Kirkby Road against Barwell, who led through Brady Hickey`s 32nd minute effort.

Three minutes into first half injury-time, Jacek Zielonka levelled and the same player won it for the visitors with 12 minutes to go.

St Ives Town had a good 1-0 home win over Biggleswade Town.

Summer signing Marc Richards bagged the only goal for the Saints in the 73rd minute.

Stratford Town`s new-look team were the day`s other winners, beating Kings Langley 2-1 at the Arden Garages Stadium.

And they had to come back from being a 66th minute Eduard Toiny-Pendred goal down too, with Kynan Isaac equalising within 2 minutes and Will Grocutt`s penalty 7 minutes from time proving decisive.

The remaining matches all ended in draws.

New signing Lorrell Smith`s 33rd minute penalty gave AFC Rushden & Diamonds the lead at Liberty Way against Nuneaton Borough.

But, in front of 596, Boro`s new arrival, Andre Brown, levelled with 20 minutes to play.

Royston Town shared a 2-2 draw at Garden Walk with Banbury United.

And the Puritans will be hoping other teams are as generous as the Crows, who gave them two own goals from keeper Joe Welch and then Brandon Adams.

Adams did manage to score at the right end as well after Josh Castiglione had equalised.

Matt Clarke`s tenure as manager of Redditch United began with a 1-1 draw at the Trico Stadium with Needham Market.

Jordan Clement gave the Reds a 17th minute lead which was cancelled out by Will Hunt 7 minutes before half-time.

At at the Victoria Ground, visiting Coalville Town looked to be heading for three points as they led through Tim Berridge`s goal 4 minutes after half-time.

But Bromsgrove Sporting grabbed an equaliser 3 minutes into stoppage time through Leon Broadhurst.