Match Report

Leverstock Green fell to a narrow defeat in Tuesday night’s Southern League Division One Central fixture at home to Ware. After a first half in which Leverstock played very well, they went into half time a goal down, and the visitors generally had the better of the second half.

Fergus Moore continues to be plagued by injuries, with Guiseppe Delgaudio, Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica, Ryan Carruthers, Gary Connolly and Jamie Breen among those unfit to play in this game. Leverstock created some good chances in the first half. In the 11th minute Ademide Baruwa set up a chance for Luke Beckwith after the referee had played a good advantage, but Beckwith’s effort was wide. Baruwa played a superb pass in the 25th minute to put Rio Beach through on goal, but his shot was kept out by keeper Fred Burbidge. In the 33rd minute a cross from Beach had Dan Pett diving in to meet it, but it just eluded him.

Having been the better side throughout the half, Leverstock found themselves a goal down in the 40th minute. Alfie Bonfield did well to tip a close-range header onto the bar, but Jon Clements followed up to head home the rebound.

The second half saw Ware miss a number of good chance to extend their lead. In the 56th minute Mackye Townsend-West had a free header from a corner, but couldn’t divert it on target, and six minutes later another good chance from a corner was missed. In the 68th minute Jack Dreyer hit the bar with a shot from the edge of the box.

Leverstock had created little in the second half, but in the closing minutes they came close to finding the equaliser. Ethan Mooney was denied by a save from point-blank range in the 81st minute, and Beach had a shot from similarly close range saved by Burbidge in the 89th minute. Deep into stoppage time Rawn Seale stabbed an effort towards goal that was going in until it was kept out by a last-ditch goalline clearance.

Leverstock Green (0) 0
1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Ethan Mooney (17. Cem Poyraz 86 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 18. Eyituoyo Akinbulumo, 6. Ademide Baruwa, 7. Lewis Collins (14. Isaiah Hilaire 66 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Nat Connolly (16. Callum Moore 82 mins), 11. Luke Beckwith (15. Tyrone Kumi 73 mins). Sub not used: 12. Josh Dooley.
Ware (1) 1 (Clements 40)
1. Fred Burbidge, 2. Chukuma Okotcha, 3. David Sota, 4. Jack Dreyer, 5. Mackye Townsend-West, 6. Jay Rolfe, 7. Johnny Allotey, 8. Max Granville, 9. Jon Clements, 10. Thomas Kay (15. Gabriel Chapps H/T), 11. Joe Dearman. Subs not used: 12. Mitchel Hahn, 14. Isaac Evans, 19. Lewis Thomas.