Saturday's Premier Division action review

By David Watters

Slough Town were held to a 1-1 draw at Merthyr Town but still managed to increase their lead at the top of the EVO-STIK League Southern's Premier Division table to five points on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

In front of a crowd of 628 at Penydarren Park, James Dobson put the leaders ahead after 21 minutes. New signing Josh Yorwerth equalised 10 minutes later, and that`s how it stayed.

Chippenham Town moved to within a point of game-less second-placed Leamington after a 2-1 Hardenhuish Park victory over Stratford Town.

It was goalless until Will Richards broke the deadlock to give the Bluebirds a 64th minute lead. David Pratt doubled the hosts` advantage five minutes from time but an 89th minute Richard Gregory reply made for a nervy finale.

Dunstable Town are a point back in fourth after winning by the same scoreline at Creasey Park against lowly Dorchester Town.

This was also goalless until the hour-mark when John Sonuga gave the Duns the lead. Alex Cathline added a second on 72 minutes but, as at Chippenham, a late 88th minute Nathan Walker goal made it a frantic end.

Hitchin Town complete the top five but they were held to a 1-1 draw at Frome Town, whose Nathan Summers put them ahead after 26 minutes. It looked like being enough for the Somerset outfit, until Kane Smith popped up with an 89th minute equaliser for the Canaries.

Redditch United are level on points with Hitchin in sixth after winning 4-1 at St Ives against second-bottom Cambridge City.

The recently-returned Luke Shearer gave the Reds an early fifth minute lead that Tunde Adewunmi cancelled out 20 minutes later. Danico Johnson restored the visitors` lead from the penalty spot right on half-time. That gave them the boost to add further goals in the final five minutes from Apostolis Apostocopolous and Max Loveridge.

City`s landlords St Ives Town earned a good 2-1 win at another of the strugglers, Cirencester Town, who led through Adam Connolly`s 16th minute effort.

Charlie Death equalised seven minutes before half-time and then Ben Seymour-Shove won it for the Saints 19 minutes from time.

St Ives` neighbours St Neots Town leap-frogged Cirencester after a 3-1 home win over bottom-markers Cinderford Town.

Recent signing Sam Mulready proved to be the Saints` hero, bagging a brace in the 22nd and 34th minutes. Gethyn Hill reduced the arrears five minutes after half-time but Peter Clark restored the home side`s two-goal cushion in stoppage time.

It finished goalless at the Carlsberg Stadium between Biggleswade Town and Basingstoke Town, while King`s Lynn Town and Hayes & Yeading United shared a 2-2 draw at The Walks.

A crowd of 476 saw Leon Mettam give the Linnets a 16th minute lead they held until the 70th minute when Hayes & Yeading scored twice in six minutes through Tom Gilbey and Jerson Dos Santos. Mettam grabbed his second of the game to earn a point in the last minute.

Follow the EVO-STIK League Southern on Twitter at @SouthernLeague1

Where next?

Skipper pays the price for bravery Cinderford Town captain Josh Nelmes ended up in hospital on Saturday night with a suspected broken nose and cheekbone after paying the price for his bravery during his side's 3-1 reverse at St Neots Town in the EVO-STIK League Southern's top flight.
Magpies switching to artificial turf EVO-STIK League Southern Dorchester Town have confirmed they are joining the 3G revolution next season.

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