Worcester secured a late equalizer against Stratford Town in the Southern League Premier Central, with Josh Ezewele’s stoppage-time header cancelling out Tre Mitford’s first-half goal to earn a 1-1 draw. The match, played at Stratford’s home ground, began with the hosts showing early attacking intent. McKauley Manning created several chances, notably breaking through Worcester’s defense only to see his effort saved by goalkeeper Cristiano Dzialuk after a block from Mitford.
Mitford’s impact grew around the half-hour mark when, following a clever flick from Dan Lafferty, he forced Dzialuk into a save. He finally opened the scoring four minutes before halftime, converting a corner that fell to him inside the box with a powerful strike. Worcester responded shortly afterwards; Charlie Wise missed a close-range header from a free kick but remained a constant threat, later testing Stratford’s goalkeeper Jake Weaver midway through the second half. Worcester’s persistence paid off in injury time when Ezewele rose above the crowded box to head home a set-piece, securing a share of the points.
In another Premier Central fixture, Rushall Olympic claimed a 2-1 victory over Hitchin Town, propelled by a debut brace from Luke Yates. The defender opened the scoring within five minutes with a headed goal after a cross from left-back Carter Lycett. Yates doubled the lead in the final moments of the first half, finishing a scramble inside the penalty area. Hitchin responded in the second half when striker Kyle Tearle converted a penalty awarded after a foul by Rushall’s Roddy McGlinchey. Despite mounting pressure and several defensive interventions by Rushall, the visitors held on to claim three points.
Leighton Town, newly promoted to the league, earned a 1-1 draw at Redditch United despite being without a goalkeeper for much of the match. Visiting keeper Dan Hosier was forced off injured after 25 minutes, and midfielder J’ardell Stirling took over in goal for the remainder of the game. Redditch took the lead shortly before halftime via an own goal following a corner. The visitors equalized midway through the second half when Sam King capitalized on a defensive lapse to score from a Kyal Williams cross. Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages but were unable to break the deadlock.
RC Warwick and Peterborough Sports played out a 1-1 draw in a match marked by a number of chances and tactical adjustments. Warwick’s summer signing Kieran Cooney scored the equalizer three minutes before halftime, heading in a corner delivered by James Hancocks. The visitors had taken an early lead through Leon Lobjoit, capitalizing on a defensive slip at the fifth minute, although the goal came amid controversy as an appeal for a foul was denied. Warwick threatened throughout the first half with several set-piece opportunities but were unable to add to their tally despite late pressure. Both teams created chances in the second half, but the match finished evenly poised.