Match Report

Leverstock Green bounced back from their midweek disappointment at Colney Heath to score a late winner of their own, clinching a come-from-behind victory against a strong Newport Pagnell Town side. The visitors are likely to be one of the title contenders this season, and the Green side put in a very determined and hard-working performance, soaking up a lot of pressure but coming out on top.

There was a debut in the Leverstock line-up today for Oran Swales who has joined for a month-long loan from Berkhamsted, and it proved to be a very impressive debut.

Leverstock made a good start to the game as they attacked down the slope, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 12th minute. After Josh Crawley’s free kick from just outside the box had been deflected wide by the Green wall, the resulting corner was crossed into the six yard box where Christian Smail headed home.

However, their lead only lasted five minutes. Brima Johnson played a short free kick to Swales, who ran on with the ball before cracking a low drive from outside the box into the bottom corner of the net for the equaliser.

Newport Pagnell went close again from a corner in the 36th minute as Crawley flicked the ball onto the roof of the net, while Leverstock had a near miss just before the break when Luke Peerless curled a shot from a narrow angle just wide.

The visitors were attacking down the slope in the second half, and had a couple of chances in the opening five minutes with James Sage heading over from a corner, and Crawley shooting over the bar after being set up by a good move. On 52 minutes they came even closer when Jimmy Burnside hit a rasping shot which cracked against the crossbar after Matt Fallon got fingertips to it.

Newport Pagnell continued to dominate possession, with Leverstock at times struggling to keep the ball out of their own half for more than a few seconds. However, the Green side was in no mood to give anything away, and their determination plus some calm and composed defending meant that the visitors did not get any further direct strikes at Fallon’s goal.

With eight minutes to play and the game still tied at 1-1, Sidney Gueye was brought down by a challenge on the edge of the “D”. The result was a free kick in a dangerous position, and Luke Peerless took full advantage as he hit a shot which took a deflection off the wall and flew into the net to put Leverstock into the lead.

Cass Grant had a chance to make the game safe in the 90th minute, but his shot went wide. However, the 2-1 lead proved to be enough for Leverstock to take the three points. There were outstanding performances all across the pitch, particularly from Jamie Ovington and Connor Church in his first full game of the season, but the star performer was 17-year-old Kian Wilkes in midfield.

Leverstock Green (1) 2 (Swales 17, Peerless 82)
Team: 1. Matt Fallon, 2. Brima Johnson, 3. Connor Church, 4. Jamie Ovington, 5. Dan Weeks, 6. Steve Hawes (14. James Hall 70 mins), 7. John Smith (17. Sidney Gueye 73 mins), 8. Kian Wilkes, 9. Luke Peerless, 10. Oran Swales, 11. Frank Jowle (16. Cass Grant 61 mins). Subs not used: 12. Mickey Shuttlewood, 15. Will Bisney.

Newport Pagnell Town (1) 1 (Smail 12)
Team: 1. Charlie Jones, 2. Adam Pryke, 3. Jack Menday (14. Ben Shepherd 64 mins), 4. Leigh Stevens (17. Ben Ford 64 mins), 5. Christian Smail, 6. James Sage, 7. Sam Olawale, 8. Luke Dunstan, 9. Jimmy Burnside, 10. Josh Crawley, 11. Mo Ahmed (15. Aaron Murrell 85 mins). Subs not used: 12. Michael Lyon, 16. Tom Guiney.