PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH | WEEKEND REVIEW

Salisbury back at the summit

In the Pitching In Southern League Premier South, Salisbury have gone back to the summit following their 2-1 victory over Hendon, combined with defeats for both Chesham United and Gosport Borough.

A goal from Joshua Hedges set Salisbury on their way only for it to be cancelled out within six minutes by Niko Muir-Merchant. However, moments later Harry Williams restored the home side’s lead and that’s how it remained.

Meanwhile, Gosport Borough let a lead slip to go down 2-1 at home to Swindon Supermarine, whose resurgence continues. Things were going to plan for the hosts when Daniel Wooden put them ahead midway through the opening period only for Levi Irving to level matters just before the half-hour mark.

The scoreline was turned on its head just before the break when loanee, David Sims-Burgess, found the net and that’s how it stayed.

There was a heavy 4-0 defeat for Chesham United at Plymouth Parkway, for whom Reece Thompson and Tom Purrington gave them an early two-goal advantage before Michael Williams netted a third before half-an-hour had even been played. Matt Wright completed the scoring towards the end.

Also winning 4-0 were Merthyr Town who strengthened their place amongst the leading pack by beating Hanwell Town. Thomas Handley set them on their way just before the interval before Gethyn Hill doubled the lead early in the second period. Late goals from Ricardo Rees and Callum Ryan-Phillips put some gloss on the scoreline.

Just behind the Welsh outfit are Walton & Hersham who came from behind to win at Dorchester Town. Jordan Ngalo set the home side on their way only for Arsen Ujkaj to equalise in first half stoppage time. The winner was notched by Ed Simon with 20 minutes to go.

A brace from Kaine Kennedy-Sinclair helped Harrow Borough to a 4-2 triumph over Basingstoke Town, who actually took the lead through Liam Ferdinand with just three minutes on the clock. Reece Mitchell levelled before Kennedy-Sinclair notched goals either side of the break to turn things around and then Lonit Talla made the points safe late on, even though Ferdinand grabbed his second goal of the game with virtually the last kick.

Elsewhere there were no fewer than five games that ended all square. Six goals were shared between Beaconsfield Town and Hungerford Town, for whom Conor McDonagh hit a hat-trick, whilst a crowd of 1,320 saw AFC Totton and Winchester City share the spoils after Daniel Jones’ opener for the visitors was cancelled out by the wily Scott Rendell.

It was also 1-1 at Bracknell Town as they faced Poole Town. Liam Tack opened the scoring for the home side as half-time approached only for Toby Holmes to restore parity with 20 minutes to go.

Two games ended goalless as bottom of the table, Didcot Town, earned their eighth point of the season against Tiverton Town, whilst Hayes & Yeading United, in their first home League game since October 21st played out a stalemate with Sholing.

IMAGE Plymouth Parkway