Match Report

Leverstock Green got their first league points on the board with a hard-fought win against a competitive North Greenford United side on Tuesday night.

The goal which proved to be the winner came very early in the match. In the 3rd minute, Will Bisney – making his competitive debut for the club – crossed from the left side of the penalty area, and Luke Peerless came in at the far post to sweep the ball home.

The visitors had a clear target man in their side, with big veteran centre forward Melford Simpson up front, and in the 6th minute Simpson rose at the far post to meet a cross but his header was just wide. Simpson was close again in the 19th minute with a shot wide, but for the most part the Leverstock defence did a very good job in keeping him quiet.

Leverstock had a chance for a second goal on 28 minutes when a pass from Steve Hawes gave Sidney Gueye a run at goal, but keeper Sam House saved with his legs, and Frank Jowle’s effort from the rebound went over the bar. The visitors went close again five minutes before the break when a chip from Conor Molyneaux landed on the crossbar, and in the closing minutes of the half both James Hall and Adiel Mannion got on the end of free kicks from Peerless, but neither could get their headers on target.

The second half proved equally evenly-contested, with Leverstock being somewhat fortunate to survive an almighty goalmouth scramble following an NGU corner in the 56th minute. Leverstock went close again on 60 minutes when Frank Jowle’s corner was flicked on by Gueye and Hall came in with a diving header, but House somehow kept the ball out.

A second goal looked certain four minutes from time when Peerless hit a shot that was heading for the top corner, but Kojo Agyemang made a great clearance to head it off the line. Still there might have been a second goal two minutes later when Jowle was put through on goal, but shot over the bar.

The game was still in the balance going into stoppage time, but Leverstock held out for a very welcome three points, well-deserved for a very determined performance all round but particularly in the defence and midfield.

Leverstock Green (1) 1 (Peerless 3)
Team: 1. Matt Fallon, 2. Brima Johnson, 3. Will BIsney, 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Jamie Ovington, 6. Steve Hawes (12. John Smith 56 mins), 7. James Hall, 8. Luke Peerless, 9. Sidney Gueye (14. Connor Church 76 mins), 10. Adiel Mannion (16. Guiseppe Delgaudio 69 mins), 11. Frank Jowle. Subs not used: 15. Kian Wilkes, 17. Gary Wallace.

North Greenford United (0) 0
Team: 1.Sam House, 2. Ethan Relf, 3. Sam Molyneaux (14. Kojo Agyemang H/T), 4. Callum Rogers, 5. Ryan King, 6. Andrew Manitou, 7. Charlie Mitchell, 8. Joseph Mills, 23. Melford Simpson, 10. Conor Molyneaux (15. Billy Leonard 70 mins), 11. Daniel Clifton (16. Kai Brosnan 60 mins). Subs not used: 12. Tolowalaju James, 17. Simon Wright.