Match Report

Leverstock Green continued their excellent start to their league season, as they overcame Dunstable Town 3-0 at Pancake Lane on Saturday to record their third SSML Premier Division win from four matches. It was another disciplined and professional performance from Fergus Moore’s side and a well-deserved three points.

Rawn Seale had Leverstock’s first effort on goal in the 6th minute as he beat a defender on a run into the box but shot over the bar. The visitors hit the woodwork on 14 minutes when a cross from Tyler Fry struck the crossbar. A minute later there was something of a scramble inside the Dunstable box as firstly Ollie Lawford hit a shot which was blocked, and then the ball bounced up to Seale, who headed across goal and wide.

Seale brought a save out of visiting keeper Mo Elmasry on 22 minutes, hitting a shot which was blocked away by the keeper’s legs. Leverstock were getting closer, and two minutes later had a deserved lead. Ethan Mooney hit a shot from the edge of the box which Elmasry could only parry away, and Isiah Noel-Williams followed up to calmly slot home the rebound for the opening goal.

Seale was denied again by Elmasry from close range shortly afterwards, and Leverstock continued to have the better of things for the remainder of the half, but still only held a slender 1-0 lead at the break.

However, a strong start to the second half saw Leverstock take full control of the game. Seale went close again on 52 minutes when he used his pace to burst through on goal, but his shot was turned wide by Elmasry. Three minutes later Leverstock won another corner, and Ryan Carruthers’ cross dropped for Paul Marks at the far post. The skipper wasted no time in lashing the ball home from close range for the second goal.

Three minutes later a pass from Noel-Williams put Seale away down the right, and his eventual cross found Lawford in front of goal to slot home a third Leverstock goal.

Green keeper Alfie Bonfield had little to do in the second half, but pulled off a good save on 69 minutes to keep out a shot from Simon Richards and preserve his clean sheet. On 75 minutes there was a senior debut for Lewis Nicholls, who impressed in last season’s under-18 side.

Seale’s performance deserved a goal, and he should have got one in the 88th minute when a pass from Kian Wilkes put him clean through on goal, but his eventual shot was wide.

This was a result and performance which should give the side plenty of confidence going into difficult away games this week at Harefield on Tuesday and New Salamis next Saturday.

Leverstock Green (1) 3 (Noel-Williams 24, Marks 55, Lawford 58)
Team: 1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Adrian Pitfield, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Paul Marks, 5. Brima Johnson, 6. Ryan Carruthers (12. Paplamin Jawara 66 mins), 7. Ethan Mooney (17. Lewis Nicholls 75 mins), 8. Kian Wilkes, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Ollie Lawford (15. Mikkel James 73 mins), 11. Isiah Noel-Williams. Subs not used: 14. Scott McGleish, 18. Juliusz Pazio.

Dunstable Town (0) 0
Team: 1. Mo Elmasry, 2. Jamie Gill, 3. Kenny Appiah (12. Jeremiah Debayo 66 mins), 4. Bobby Armstrong, 5. John Sonuga, 6. Roy Byron, 7. Tyler Fry (16. Joe Mead 88 mins), 8. Manny Richardson, 9. Simon Richards, 10. Chris Stapleton, 11. Craig Packham (15. L’Kharmi Gale 61 mins). Subs not used: 14. Sam Gibson, 17. Drew Phillips.