PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL | FINAL WEEKEND REVIEW

A round-up of all the drama

The final weekend of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central season brought plenty of drama.

There were three of the four play-off places still to be decided. In the end, Leamington took third place thanks to a 2-0 victory over AFC Sudbury as Callum Stewart and Jack Edwards hit second half goals. For the visitors, there was joy at the end as they managed to avoid the drop.

Just behind them are Redditch United who enjoyed a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Champions, Needham Market as Aram Soleman and skipper, Reece Flanagan put them in the driving seat with first half goals before Brad Burton completed the scoring late on.

Taking the last play-off spot are Mickleover who ended a turbulent week with a big 3-0 triumph over Stamford, a result which saw the visitors miss out on a top five finish. Marcus Barnes opened the scoring early on and then Will Trueman and Ben Sault sealed the win.

Also just missing out were Stratford Town despite their 3-2 away win at Royston Town. Lewis Wilson, Alex Worley and Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton put the visitors into a three-goal lead before Cain Keller reduced the arrears and then Daniel Baulk pulled another back deep into stoppage time.

The remaining relegation place has been taken by Hitchin Town whose goalless home draw with Stourbridge was not enough to save them. It was a full-blooded encounter that saw the hosts end the game with just nine men.

Second-place AFC Telford United ended the regular season in positive fashion by winning 4-1 at Coalville Town. Montel Gibson gave them the lead but Terell Pennant brought the scores level on the stroke of half-time. Orrin Pendley restored the Bucks’ advantage before Reece Styche helped himself to two goals as the clock ticked down.

A second half goal from Tristan Dunkley gave Barwell a 1-0 away win at Bromsgrove Sporing in front of a crowd of over 1,200, whilst there was also a single-goal success on their travels for Halesowen Town as Kieren Donnelly’s early effort was the difference at already-relegated Berkhamsted.

The day’s other games saw Long Eaton United jump above Berkhamsted as they secured their fifth victory of the season by beating Leiston 2-1. Goals in either half by Tom Hewlett and Cieron Keane won the day as Albie Armin notched a stoppage time consolation. Meanwhile St. Ives were 3-2 victors over Alvechurch as all five goals came after the break. Michael Richens and Jonny Edwards scored in quick succession for the home side only for a Jaanai Gordon brace to bring the scores level. Edwards then popped up with an 87th minute winner.

IMAGE: Neil Jay