Match Report

Leverstock Green pulled off a surprise result on Tuesday night, holding title favourites Biggleswade F.C. to a 1-1 draw at Pancake Lane. It was a fully-deserved point for Matt Harding’s side, who turned in a fantastic defensive display, disciplined, dogged and determined throughout. Two of the star performers for Leverstock were Harry Barrett and Kane O’Neil, who had both played for the under-18s against Boreham Wood the previous night. The central defensive positions were filled by two players on loan from AFC Dunstable, Terry Griffiths and Luke Abrahams.

After a quiet opening to the match, the visitors had their first chance in the 11th minute when a goalmouth scramble ensued after a shot was blocked. Ryan Schmid made a save, but the key block was by Griffiths, who cleared a shot from Justin Leavers off the line. On 23 minutes a quickly-taken free kick allowed Tom Cookman to get in a cross for Lee Northfield, but again Leverstock defended well and didn’t allow him to get a shot away. A minute later Northfield had another chance from a cross by Lawrie Marsh, but his shot went just wide.

Leverstock won their first corner in the 29th minute, and Mark Smith’s great cross wasn’t gathered by the keeper, but as the ball went across the face of goal an effort from Griffiths was blocked. Three minutes later, Leverstock found themselves in front through something of a gift of a goal. Visiting keeper Sam Wyer went to gather a ball that should have been a comfortable take, but somehow dropped it. Wesley Iroegbu picked up the loose ball and calmly slotted it into the net for a 1-0 lead.

However, the lead only lasted 8 minutes, and for the second time in four days Leverstock suffered from the instant impact of a substitute. Michael Simpson came off the bench to replace Conor Inskip, and within seconds had delivered the cross which found Cookman to head home emphatically for the equaliser.

In the second half Biggleswade had the slope in their favour and launched a constant stream of attacks at the Leverstock goal, but ended up frustrated by the determination of the Green defence to not concede. Ten minutes into the half the visitors had a great chance when Cookman forced himself clean through, but Schmid threw himself at Cookman’s shot and deflected it over the bar with his legs for a brilliant save from point blank range. Four minutes later Schmid denied Cookman again with a block at the near post. On 64 minutes it was Barrett who was throwing himself at a shot from Marsh to block it away.

Leverstock didn’t get out of their own half a great deal, but on 67 minutes a free kick from Smith caused another nervous moment for Wyer as he dropped the ball again, but this time the danger was cleared. Soon after Schmid made another save with his legs to deny Marsh, and on 73 minutes Leavers was unlucky when his shot hit the post.

As the game wore on Biggleswade were getting increasingly anxious and looking less and less likely to break down the Green defence. Three minutes from time a shot from Northfield was deflected just wide, but the resulting corner was headed over the bar. Six minutes of stoppage time were played, but Leverstock kept their concentration until the end and held out for an excellent point which will no doubt also be welcomed by the other sides fighting for the Premier Division title.

The two sides meet again in the return fixture on Saturday week, but before that Leverstock host F.C.’s neighbours Biggleswade United this coming Saturday.