REDDITCH United moved to within a point of top spot after a narrow win over Alvechurch on Monday night.
A 52nd minute goal from Liam Loughlan was enough to beat Alvechurch – who suffered a third defeat in a row in a bad-tempered match.
In a fiery five minutes, Loughlan scored, Alvechurch’s Harley Hamilton was dismissed for a second yellow card and Redditch boss Mike Fowler was also sent off for protesting a decision.
But Fowler’s side are now in third place in the Southern League Premier Central after Monday’s result came hot on the heels of Saturday’s 4-0 win over Kettering Town.
That victory came courtesy of goals from Reece Flanagan – who netted twice after the break – Danny King and Fabian Reynolds. Redditch now have three successive wins under their belt.
Speaking after Monday’s win, Redditch coach Jimmy Fry – sacked by Alvechurch last year – told the club’s official YouTube channel: “It probably wasn’t as pleasing on the eye as other games – but sometimes, against these teams, you have to do what you need to do.
“We’ve come out of a tough weekend with two wins and two clean sheets.
“The boys are battered and bruised, we’re strapping them up and half the squad are in the stands.
“It’s a credit to the club that our strength in depth is where we need it to be.”
Fowler later posted on social media: “Buzzing for my mate tonight, I think he enjoyed that one but I don’t know why.
“Average age of 20, five 18-year-olds and two 17-year-olds in the squad. Young Billy Fielding was immense, playing a superb 90 minutes.”
Alvechurch boss Tim Flowers told the club’s official YouTube channel: “We had a double yellow, the referee’s gone on the ‘squeal’.
“There was nothing wrong with lad, but you’d think he’d broken his leg. Get the paramedics on.
“The ref gets surrounded, he panics and the lad gets sent off on his debut. Our backs were against the wall after that.”
Halesowen Town are challenging for the play-off spots after a 3-0 win at Banbury United.
Goals from Alex Gudger, Jason Cowley and Fin Holmes sealed the points before half-time.
Yeltz boss Russ Penn told the club’s X channel: “That’s how you start games away from home. And I don’t know what it takes sometimes, whether it’s an individual or a moment – we had the ascendency straight away and we put them on the back foot.
“We had to dust ourselves down after last week, and I think everyone came to the party and fought for the badge, what they always do, to be fair. But we need more than that. Our front two were on fire.”
Stratford Town’s revival continued as they came from a goal down to win 2-1 at struggling Stamford.
Jack Storer levelled the scores before Owen James grabbed the winner seven minutes after the break.
Bards manager Paul Davis told the club’s official YouTube channel: “To come back from going behind early shows real character.
“To win three games in a week is tough, but we’ll take it and go to Harborough. I’ve told them not to go there with fear.
“I imagine we’re not doing too badly in the form league. It’s coming together at the moment.”
Bromsgrove Sporting lost 1-0 at Harborough while Stourbridge were beaten 3-0 by Needham Market.
One of the best own goals you are likely to see from Bishop’s Stortford new signing Charlie Johnson who was making his debut against Worcester City.
Worcester won the game 2-0 and this was the 2nd of the goals.
Fair play to @chazjohnson2911 however who’s taken it in good… pic.twitter.com/g9TaHx0EIb
— Proper Football (@ProperFootball8) October 19, 2025
Worcester City’s win over Bishop’s Stortford ‘went viral’ thanks to Charlie Johnson – who scored a spectacular own goal on his debut for the Hertfordshire side.
Johnson somehow delivered a powerful back pass into his own net – as you can see above.
Dan Sweeney opened the scoring for City who sit just outside the relegation zone – a point ahead of Stourbridge.
