PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL | WEEKEND REVIEW

Plenty of drama to enjoy

There was plenty to digest in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central where leaders, Redditch United succumbed to a 2-0 home reverse at the hands of St. Ives Town.

The visitors won it thanks to second half strikes from Daniel Barton and Jonny Edwards in what was an impressive away day display.

AFC Telford United’s long unbeaten League run, which stretches back to September, came to an end at the hands of the side who last beat them, Needham Market, who ran out 2-0 winners thanks to a goal at the start of the second half from Daniel Morphew, and a 76th minute effort from Seth Carroll-Chambers.

The victory moves the Marketmen up to second place in the table, just one point off the leaders and above Mickleover on goal difference. Conceding within the opening minute in their game at AFC Sudbury as Joe Neal set the hosts on their way, it took two strikes in the final five minutes from Oliver Greaves and Stuart Beavon, seven minutes into stoppage time, to secure victory for Micklover.

There was a commanding 3-0 away win for Leamington at Bromsgrove Sporting as Callum Stewart set them on their way right on the stroke of half-time before Jack Edwards and a late Adam Walker strike secure the points.

It took just one goal, from Jack Storer, to decide Stratford Town’s home clash with Halesowen Town, which was watched by a crowd of 1,227. It means that Stratford have the last play-off, ahead of Stamford who were pegged back by hosts, Stourbridge, who grabbed a last-gasp leveller to draw 1-1. Lee Shaw set Stamford on their way early in the second period only for loanee, Kian Ryley to equalise with 89 minutes on the clock.

In the lower reaches of the table, Long Eaton United were celebrating after goals from Riece Bertram, Joseph Nyahwema and George Atwal put them in the driving seat at Kettering Town, who scored a late consolation through Bruno Andrade.

There was a hard-earned away point for Berkhamsted at Alvechurch as the two sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Dylan Allen-Hadley pout the hosts ahead five minutes from the end of the first half only for Thomas Newman to equalise midway through the second period.

Former Players Day at Barwell was marked by a 2-0 victory for the home side as Hitchin Town’s poor form continued. Brady Hickey and Beck-Ray Enoru were on target for the current crop with goals in each half.

The day’s other game saw Leiston secure a good away win courtesy of a 2-1 triumph at Coalville Town, where Ross Crane lifted the ball home within the opening minute for the visitors before Leroy Lita levelled matters early in the second period. The winning goal came from Jack Manly just past the hour-mark.

IMAGE: Barwell FC