PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL | WEEKEND REVIEW

Leaders hit 50-point mark with hard-earned away wins

Both Mickleover and Needham Market hit the 50-point mark at the top of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central courtesy of hard-fought 1-0 away wins.

For Mickleover, a Ben Sault strike on the hour-mark proved to be the difference at Berkhamsted, whilst Luke Ingram was on the scoresheet again for Needham Market as they came home from Halesowen Town with maximum points.

Leamington remain third even though they were without a game due to Coalville Town’s Isuzu FA Trophy participation, this is because both Redditch United and AFC Telford United were held to draws.

A last minute Will Glennon goal saw Stamford come back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Redditch for whom Reece Flanagan and Ryan Wollacott cancelled out Rob Morgan’s opener for the hosts, all during the opening period.

Over at AFC Telford, the home side kept another clean sheet and went another game unbeaten but they were frustrated by Leiston who played out a goalless stalemate.

A seven-goal thriller ended with Stratford Town beating Barwell 4-3 to sit just outside the play-off places. Lewis Ludford-Ison put the hosts ahead only for quick fire goals from Beck-Ray Enoru and Ethan Hill just before the break to turn the scoreline on its head.

There was still time for Callum Ebanks to send the sides into the interval level and then he put The Bards ahead early in the second half from the penalty spot. A penalty at the other end, converted by Kobe Chong, levelled matters once more before Ebanks stepped up to win it late on and in doing so, complete his hat-trick.

At the bottom, Long Eaton United won for only the third time in 25 League games as they came home from Hitchin Town with a 3-2 triumph in a game which saw all five goals come in the second half. Andy Mandjoba put the visitors ahead on his debut but Daniel Idiakhoa soon equalised. George Atwal put the visitors back in front but it looked like they would have to settle for a point when Arnold Matshazi brought the scores level on 87 minutes. However, just a couple of minutes later, Joseph Nyahwema popped up with a dramatic winner.

Royston Town kept their impressive run of form going with a 1-0 triumph at Bromsgrove Sporting thanks to Damaray Anyadike’s goal on the hour. There was also an important 1-0 away win for Alvechurch as a late Dan Sweeney goal saw them overcome the challenge of AFC Sudbury.

There was a return to winning ways for Stourbridge but they had to come from behind to beat Kettering Town. It took just six minutes for Bruno Andrade to open the scoring for the Poppies, but Alex Prosser levelled right on half-time and then Koby Arthur won it on his home debut.

With a number of key players departing during the week, there was more woe for Nuneaton Borough as they lost 3-0 at St. Ives Town, for whom Benjamin Mensah, Jordan Williams and Michael Richens got the goals.

IMAGE: Long Eaton United FC