PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL | WEEKEND REVIEW

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In the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central, Needham Market got their hands on the championship trophy at their final home game of the season.

But they found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-0 reverse at the hands of Mickleover, for whom Ben Sault set them on their way early on before an Oliver Greaves penalty sealed the victory with just under 20 minutes to go.

Meanwhile there was a resounding 6-2 victory for AFC Telford United, who are already guaranteed their play-off place, over the already-relegated Berkhamsted.

The race is on for the last two play-off spots. Despite conceding a stoppage time equaliser, Redditch United’s 3-3 draw at Barwell was enough to take them back into the top five. A penalty from Reece Flanagan set them on their way, only for the hosts to level from a penalty of their own courtesy of Brady Hickey. It wasn’t long before Aram Soleman put the visitors back in front, but Hickey brought things back level just before the interval.

Once more, Redditch got their noses back in front when Johnny Johnston found the net early in the second period, however, Jahvan Davidson-Miller ensured a share of the spoils with a late equaliser.

A home defeat for Stratford Town at the hands of Bromsgrove Sporting saw them slip down to sixth place as the visitors secured their safety. Billy Shaw put the Rouslers ahead in the first half and then Nathan Blissett doubled the advantage early in the second period. Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton’s reply proved to be too little, too late.

It was a point for Leamington from their long trip to Leiston. It was the home side who went ahead on the hour through Albie Armin but Callum Stewart restored parity less than ten minutes later and that's how it remained.

Stamford are still in there fighting after they won 2-0 against Hitchin Town who have now fallen into the relegation zone following AFC Sudbury’s 7-1 romp against Long Eaton United. Josh Allen set them on their way with the opener and although they were pegged back by Jamie Hanson's goal, they went goal crazy in the second half with Malachi Napa, a second from Allen, Simeon Jackson, Jacob Pinnington and Callum Page giving them a resounding victory.

There was plenty of entertainment at Halesowen Town as they overcome the challenge of St. Ives Town by four goals to three as both sides look to secure top ten finishes. McKauley Manning set the home side on their way early on only for a quickfire double from Amaru Kaunda to turn the scoreline on its head. Manning levelled matters but Theo Alexandrou gave the away side the advantage to take into the break. The second half saw Ryan Wynter and Jak Hickman get the goals to give the Yeltz three hard-earned points.

Two sides securing hard-earned 1-0 home wins were Kettering Town and Stourbridge. A first half effort from Michael Reindorf Junior gave Kettering the points against Coalville Town, whilst Ethan Freemantle’s goal early in the second period saw the Glassboys smiling against Royston Town.

IMAGE: Needham Market FC