Express & Star

Pitmen go top as rivals Rushall and Stourbridge slip

Hednesford Town went top of the Southern League Central Premier division after taking advantage of a draw by rivals Rushall Olympic and a heavy defeat for Stourbridge.

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The Pitmen went into last night’s home fixture in third spot but their 2-0 victory over Banbury United saw them leapfrog their two West Midlands rivals to hit the summit.

James Hurst gave Hednesford the lead on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot after Tom Elliott was brought down in the box.

They completed the victory with Danny Glover rounding the Banbury keeper to make it 2-0 after 84 minutes.

Stourbridge were left ruing a number of controversial refereeing decisions as they went down 4-0 at Nuneaton Borough.

Former Glassboys hero Luke Benbow got Boro’s third goal with James Clifton, Callum Powell and Walsall loanee Mitch Candlin completing the rout.

Rushall were ahead in their clash at Bromsgrove Sporting through Jonathan Letford just before the break.

However, Sporting levelled through Shaquille McDonald. There was more late agony for Pics when Callam Mendez-Jones was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Halesowen won 3-1 at Barton Rovers in the Southern League Central Division One – in a game which saw just one linesman used after the referee went off injured. Goals from Jamie Molyneux, Montel Gibson and an Ashley Sammons penalty secured the points for the Yeltz.