ALVECHURCH and Redditch United led the weekend charge for the West Midlands in Saturday’s Southern League Central games.
Tim Flowers’ Alvechurch side went to Royston Town and won 3-0 with goals from Jose Marquez, Ethan Sephton and Kieran Wakefield.
Flowers told the club’s official YouTube channel: “We wanted to learn from our mistakes and not let Royston back into it.
“We were fairly comfortable and we’re undefeated on the road. Now we have Halesowen and they’re a huge side in our league.”
Alvechurch moved up to seventh in the table ahead of Redditch who won 2-0 at Real Bedford with goals either side of half-time from Robbie Bunn and Tyler Bruck.
Redditch boss Mike Fowler told the club’s official YouTube channel: “We knew we’d suffer at times in the game and have to cover a lot more distance.
“As we got closer to half-time we got into a rhythm and scored. We rode our luck in the first half so it was all about staying focused and doing the basics. After scoring, we tweaked the tactics a little bit.
“When we were two up, we challenged them to break us down.”
Stourbridge left it late to grab a winner at early pacesetters Bishop’s Stortford.
Jenson Sumnall struck the only goal of the game in the eighth minute of stoppage time to give Glassboys the points.
Stourbridge boss Darryl Knights told the club’s X account: “We know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of late goals, having done so recent weeks.
“But we kept the belief and I think the celebrations showed how much it meant to us all.
“It was really pleasing to come away with all three points as well as keeping a clean sheet, which we worked hard for.”
Halesowen Town took the lead at leaders Harborough Town – only to be pegged back within two minutes.
Jak Hickman netted for the Yeltz after the break – but Brady Hickey levelled for the Leicestershire side in the 65th minute.
Halesowen boss Russ Penn told the club’s official website: “We’re slowly getting there, but in my opinion, if we don’t concede so quickly after we scored, we’d have gone on to win.
“Our fans have had a good week, we have performed better since Worcester, and have a midweek local derby on Tuesday at Alvechurch to look forward to.”
Bromsgrove Sporting are still stuck in the relegation zone after losing 4-0 at home to St Ives Town.
Stratford Town are a point after their 2-2 draw with Spalding Town.
The Bards looked to have won it with three minutes of normal time left.
Cyrus Bruce netted to add to Ty Deacon’s first half goal. But James Clifton levelled it for the Lincolnshire side in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Stratford coach Paul Robinson told the club’s official YouTube channel: “It feels like a loss.
“We were disappointed with that, our concentration levels weren’t there in the 95th minute.
“The goals were sloppy but we had a lot more enegy from the lads. We got ourselves into the game, but we needed to see it out.”
The biggest crowd of the day was at Worcester City where more than 1,100 fans saw them draw with Kettering Town.
Spencer Hamilton netted before the break but ex-Newcastle United forward Nile Ranger, now 34, levelled early in the second half.
