PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL | WEEKEND REVIEW

Top two share spoils

The top of the table clash in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central ended with honours even as Mickleover and Needham Market played out a 1-1 draw. Andrew Dales opened the scoring early on for the leaders but it was cancelled out by Luke Ingram with just over ten minutes left on the clock.

There was a surprise home defeat for Hitchin Town as they succumbed to a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Stamford who went into a two-goal lead thanks to Lee Shaw and Thomas Siddons. A goal early in the second half from Layne Eadie gave the hosts hope but they were unable to get anything out of the game.

On the march up the table are AFC Telford United who managed to battle out another three points, this time at Berkhamsted, as Jared Hodgkiss notched the winner with quarter-of-an-hour to go.

Nuneaton Borough put their off-the-field troubles behind them once more to overcome the challenge of Alvechurch in a game that was played at the home of Stratford Town. Kane Richards wasted little time in giving them the lead in their new surroundings only for Michael Taylor to equalise. Matt Stenson and Camron McWilliams put Boro in control and even though Yaw Nantwi-Ofosu reduced the arrears in stoppage time, it proved to be too little, too late.

It was an away day to remember, AFC Sudbury scored six times at Long Eaton United to run out 6-1 winners. Ben Hunter and Adam Mills gave them a two-goal advantage at the break and although Tom Hewlett pulled one back for the hosts, Malachi Napa bagged a brace, Hunter hit his second and Romario Dunne completed the scoring.

Also in the lower reaches of the table, St. Ives Town had a first half to remember against Halesowen Town as they burst into a four-goal lead and although the Yeltz pulled two goals back in the second half, it proved to be a well-deserved victory for the home side.

In the build-up to the game, there was talk about how Barwell are Redditch United’s bogey team, and that continued as they secured a 2-1 away win at The Valley Stadium with Kobe Chong and Beck-Ray Enoru cancelling out Alex Cameron’s opener.

A 3-1 away defeat at Coalville Town spelled the end of Andy Leese’s tenure at Kettering Town. Tim Berridge and Thomas McGlinchey scored quick-fire goals midway through the opening period before Ashley Chambers added a third on the stroke of half-time. Huw Dawson hit a consolation goal for the Poppies.

Also winning on their travels were Stratford Town as goals from Lewis Ludford-Ison and Paul McCone gave them a 2-1 triumph at Bromsgrove Sporting, for whom Conor Tee scored.

The day’s other games ended all square as Leamington and Leiston finished 1-1 as Brakes’ boss, Paul Holleran, celebrated 14 years at the helm, whilst it was the same scoreline at Royston Town for the visit of Stourbridge.

IMAGE: Nuneaton Borough FC