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DATE: MON 10 APR 2023      BY STEVE WHITNEY

Easter Monday's Premier Division Central Round-Up
There were more twists and turns in the race for the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central title on

Coalville Town’s lead at the top of the table is down to a single point after they were beaten 3-1 in the Leicestershire derby at Barwell, while second-placed Leiston and third-placed Tamworth both won. At the UK Flooring Stadium in front of 857, Barwell took a 23rd minute lead when visiting keeper Paul White spilled a routine effort and Beck-Ray Enoru pounced to fire home the loose ball. But within 4 minutes, the Ravens were level seconds after hitting a post when Ash Chambers converted a free-kick. Barwell were back in front just shy of the hour-mark when Brady Hickey netted from close range after good work from Enoru. And on 78 minutes, the home side made it 3-1 when Oisin Gallagher curled a 25-yard effort past White.

Leiston edged the Suffolk derby 1-0 at Bloomfields against Needham Market. After a goalless, but entertaining opening 45 minutes, the second half saw the visitors on the front foot. But they were unable to find a way through a determined Marketmen defence. Just as a draw looked on the cards, Leiston scored what proved to be the winner 30 seconds before the end of normal time when an Adam Mills piledriver flew into Marcus Garnham’s bottom corner.

Tamworth returned to winning ways and are now just 3 points behind Coalville after winning 2-0 at home to neighbours Stratford Town in front of a crowd of 861. Dan Creaney gave the Lambs an early 6th minute lead from close range after the Bards defence had failed to deal with a cross. Then, on 58 minutes, Tamworth scored a vital second when Kyle Finn headed home unmarked at the far post.

It wasn’t a particularly good day for the two other teams in the play-off places, Nuneaton Borough and Rushall Olympic. Nuneaton were beaten 3-1 at the Don Amott Arena by Mickleover, whose Andy Dales gave them a 26th minute lead. That lead was held until half-time, and then on 58 minutes, Will Trueman doubled Sports` lead. A foul on Charlie Dowd inside the area saw Boro awarded a penalty which Luke Benbow converted in the 78th minute. But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished just 3 minutes later when Dales notched his second to make it 3-1 and give Mickleover just a sniff of a chance of catching Rushall. That’s because the Pics were held to a 0-0 draw by already-relegated Hednesford Town at the Race Stadium.The crowd of 452 saw the Pitmen finish with ten-men after Chay Tilt was dismissed for an alleged punch on Reece Mitchell. Mickleover moved back up to sixth after their win and Ilkeston Town’s 2-1 defeat at Greenwich Avenue by neighbours Basford United, for whom it’s back-to-back wins over Easter which has put them safe. A crowd of 601 – Basford’s biggest league attendance of the season – saw Ben Starkie give the hosts a 32nd minute lead. But 4 minutes after half-time, the visitors were awarded a penalty after Declan Dunn tripped Tyree Wilson inside the area.Ramaye Campbell stepped up and had no trouble converting, sending Dan Preston the wrong way. However, after 72 minutes Basford made it 2-1 in spectacular fashion when a Josh Barnes cross was cleared, Starkie took aim to and fired a tremendous half-volley beyond Harrison Foulkes who had no time to react.

St Ives Town did their survival hopes a massive boost as they too made it two wins over the Easter period by beating Royston Town 3-1 at Garden Walk. A crowd of 409 saw a goalless opening half. But only 7 minutes into the second period, Ives broke the deadlock through top scorer Jonny Edwards. The Crows equalised just past the hour-mark through Tom Newman, only for the visitors to respond within 3 minutes to make it 2-1, courtesy of Tyrone Baker. A goal 3 minutes into stoppage time from Nabil Shariff rounded off a good afternoon’s work for St Ives.That win for St Ives meant Bromsgrove Sporting’s 4-3 loss at the Victoria Ground to neighbours Stourbridge pulled them towards trouble.In front of a terrific crowd of 839, it turned out to be an amazing game! Sporting looked in control as they led 2-0 with goals from loanee Prince Henry after 23 minutes and Vladimir Pais on 36 minutes. But the turning point came just shy of the hour-mark when Bromsgrove had Tom Taylor sent-off for a second yellow card offence. The Glassboys pressed but it wasn’t until 5 minutes from time that Jason Cowley reduced the deficit.Four minutes later, Cowley scored again, this time from the penalty spot after the referee had spotted a handball. Then, 2 minutes into stoppage time, Stourbridge went 3-2 ahead with a debut goal for Farid Mikidam.Two minutes later, Jack Newell made it 3-3 but there was still time for Tyler Lyttle to grab a winner for the Glassboys in the 9th minute of time added on at the end of the match!

Redditch United earned local bragging rights after beating neighbours Alvechurch 1-0 at the Trico Stadium.An entertaining local derby was eventually settled by a Martin Riley goal for the Reds in the 76th minute in front of a good crowd of 614. And at Hayden Road, the battle of two of the already-relegated teams, AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Bedford Town, went emphatically the way of the hosts by 4-0.In front of 461, Mitchell White gave Diamonds a 12th minute lead that Jenson Cooper doubled 4 minutes before the break. A minute after the restart, Joel Anker, who bagged a brace on Saturday, made it 3-0 and Andy Mandjoba wrapped things up with the hosts` fourth in the 71st minute.

 

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Jamie Ward spoke to Duffers after the 2-1 loss at Basford on Monday. Apologies for the background noise on this one.

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