Match Report

Leverstock Green ended a run of seven home league games without a win as they finally claimed three points from a game at Pancake Lane. And just like their last league win at Broadfields three weeks ago, it was a goal deep into stoppage time that won the game.

Before the game, Leverstock skipper Dan Weeks was presented with the Respect award for January, presented by Mike Taylor from the Spartan South Midlands League. It is the second time this season that the Green side has won this award.

Fergus Moore had Ollie Cox missing through suspension to add to the list of injuries in the squad, but new signing Adam Page made his debut up front. Leverstock almost took a very early lead in the game. A pass from Rawn Seale put Elgeniy Daalberg in on goal, and although keeper Freddie Lapworth got a hand to Daalberg’s shot, it was still heading for the corner of the net until a defender scrambled back to clear off the line with just thirty seconds played.

Despite the bright start, it was actually a game of few chances between two evenly-matched teams. In the 36th minute Leverstock went close again as a shot from Dan Pett was deflected and saved by Lapworth, and Seale’s effort from the rebound was blocked. Paplamin Jawara hit the post from a free kick with the last kick of the first half.

There was another chance in the opening minute of the second half as a free kick from Rio Beach found Seale with his back to goal, but his hooked shot went just wide of the goal. A great save from Alfie Bonfield in the 63rd minute denied Ardley a goal, as Bonfield dived down to his right to turn away a shot from the edge of the box through a crowd of players. Two minutes later the visitors went close again as a shot from Declan Benjamin went just wide.

Leverstock should have gone in front with six minutes to play. Beach made a run into the Ardley half before laying off to Daalberg, who showed his pace before hitting a shot that came off the inside of the post. The ball rebounded across goal to where Scott McGleish was coming in with the goal at his mercy, but somehow his header managed to hit the underside of the bar and rebound to safety.

It looked as though Leverstock had missed their chance for the win, but there was still one chance to come two minutes into stoppage time. Jack Allen won the ball on the right touchline and played a long pass forward which Seale ran onto, and after showing the composure to sidestep a defender, Seale planted a shot into the corner of the net to break the deadlock. With barely a minute to play after the restart, the Green side held onto their lead to claim an important three points which moves them back up to sixth place in the Premier Division table.

Dan Weeks receiving the Respect award.

Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Seale 90+2)
Team: 1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Brad Robinson, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Paul Marks (12. Jack Allen 66 mins), 6. Kian Wilkes, 7. Elgeniy Daalberg, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Adam Page (16. Scott McGleish 68 mins), 11. Paplamin Jawara. Subs not used: 14. Ryan Carruthers, 17. Adrian Pitfield, 18. Sean Walsh.
Ardley United (0) 0
Team: 1. Freddie Lapworth, 2. Jordy Ngathe, 3. Lewis Gabbidon, 4. Liam Talboys, 15. Ben Gascoigne, 6. Hayden McConnell (16. Leam Howards 59 mins), 7. Declan Benjamin (5. James Casbieri 83 mins), 8. Lewis Gabbidon, 9. Joshua Tooke (12. Anaclet Odhiambo 75 mins), 10. Elliott Osborne-Ricketts, 11. Morgan Williams. Subs not used: 14. Rayon Haye, 17. Mason Courtney.