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DATE: SAT 06 AUG 2022   BY STEVE WHITNEY

Saturday's Premier Division Central Round-Up
The start of the 2022/23 Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central saw last season’s third-placed club, Coalville Town, begin with a fine 3-0 win at the team who finished a place below them, Rushall Olympic.  Adam Stevens` side took an 11th-minute lead through Tom McGlinchey and then doubled that from the penalty spot converted by Ash Chambers right on half-timeAnd then immediately after the break, Eliot Putman made the points safe with a third for the visitors.
Ilkeston Town, promoted as champions of the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands and then switched across the Trident Leagues by the FA, have been made favourites for the title by the bookmakers. And they faced a tough opening test at another team fancied to do well, Tamworth. It looked to be heading for a goalless draw until Kalern Thomas headed Ilkeston in front with less than 4 minutes remaining. But in the 89th minute, Ty Deacon grabbed a point for the Lambs.
Of the other division newcomers, Mickleover and Basford United, both switched across from the NPL Premier Division, had mixed fortunes.Mickleover shared a 2-2 draw at the Orbital Fasteners Stadium against Kings Langley, while Basford were beaten 3-1 at Garden Walk by Royston Town. Alie Bangura gave Kings an 11th-minute lead that Elliott Reeves levelled on 26 minutes and then a looping header from James Butler put the visitors in front on 32 minutes.Three minutes into the second half, Kennedy Feyi equalised with a neat finish, and it finished 2-2.  Jarid Robson gave Royston a 10th-minute lead that Matt Bateman added to 7 minutes later. Josh Barnes pulled one back for Basford on 21 minutes, but a third goal in stoppage time at the end of the game from new boy Nathan Tshikuna secured the points for the Crows.
Newly promoted Bedford Town earned a point from a 1-1 draw at the Arden Garages Stadium against Stratford Town. The Bards took a 26th-minute lead through Josh Hawker and the Eagles grabbed a deserved point with an 88th-minute leveller from Will Summerfield.
Other winners on the opening day were Hitchin Town, St Ives Town, Leiston, Alvechurch and Redditch United. Hitchin won the battle of the Canaries at Barwell, thanks to goals from Jack Morrell after 47 minutes and then Finlay Wilkinson in the 89th minute – all after the hosts had led through a Brady Hickey penalty on 27 minutes, although they did have to play with ten-men for 45 minutes after a red card for Kyle Rowley for an off-the-ball challenge.
St Ives enjoyed a good 2-1 success at the Victoria Ground against Bromsgrove Sporting. After trailing to a 29th-minute opener from new signing Dan Sweeney, Ives` Jonny Edwards equalised 7 minutes after the break and the same summer recruit made it 2-1 in the 72nd minute.
Leiston edged out Nuneaton Borough by the odd goal in five at Victory Road. Finlay Barnes gave the home side the lead from the spot after just 7 minutes. Matty Stenson pulled Boro back on level terms, also from 12 yards, in first-half injury-time. But the visitors were shook when they had Prince Mancinelli sent-off for dissent in the 75th minute. Will Davies` penalty on 87 minutes restored Leiston’s lead and Nuneaton were reduced to nine-men in the 90th minute with the dismissal of Jaden Charles for a reckless challenge. Two minutes into time added on at the end of the game, Davies grabbed his second of the game, but there was still more to come as the referee pointed to the penalty spot for a fourth time to see Luke Benbow pull a second back for the visitors 5 minutes into stoppage time.
Alvechurch beat Worcestershire rivals Stourbridge 3-0 at Lye Meadow.The Glassboys were reduced to ten-men 3 minutes before half-time when Reece Styche was dismissed for a second bookable offence.The game was then delayed for a considerable time early in the second half after a nasty clash of heads involving two Alvechurch players, who were both taken to hospital. Jed Abbey broke the deadlock to give the hosts a 55th-minute lead that Danny Waldron doubled after 67 minutes. Tom Edge made the points safe with a third on 76 minutes.
Fancied Hednesford Town started with a home defeat as Redditch United returned to the Trico Stadium with a 1-0 verdict, courtesy of a neat free-kick from Ryan Nesbitt after 62 minutes.
The game between AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Needham Market finished 0-0 at Hayden Road, with home goalkeeper Dean Snedker being named as man-of-the-match.




 

Last edited by Matchman (07/8/2022 4:28 PM)