Match Report

Leverstock Green took an early two-goal lead in their game at Biggleswade United, but eventually came away empty-handed after the home side staged a comeback to win the game with two quick goals late in the game.

It was a dream start for the Leverstock side as firstly they took the lead in the 10th minute as Curtis Donaldson latched onto a short back pass and sent a superb lob over home keeper Tom Wyant from close range that dipped just under the crossbar. Then five minutes later their lead was doubled, with Donaldson involved again as he received the ball just inside the opposition half and went on a run at goal before hitting a fierce shot from 20 yards which Wyant could only parry away. Brima Johnson followed up to net the rebound for his second goal in successive games and a 2-0 Leverstock lead.

However, Biggleswade got back into the match in the 19th minute. A crossfield ball from the right found Charlie Joy in far too much space, and although he declined his first shooting opportunity, Joy was able to cut back inside and continue his run before hitting a shot past Liam Jahn from the edge of the box.

For the rest of the half it was the home side that were on top, with Sergio Urbano bringing a save out of Jahn with a shot on 21 minutes, and Kevin Owusu hitting a shot inches wide on 27 minutes. The Leverstock side held out to the break, though, with their 2-1 lead intact.

In the second half it was Biggleswade who continued to have more of the ball, which they played around the park very well, although they did not trouble the Green defence too much. There was a good chance on 64 minutes when Joy pulled the ball back from the byeline but Urbano shot over the bar from six yards. On 75 minutes Jahn pulled off a great save to keep out a shot from Nick Elliott.

However, the turning point came on 78 minutes when George Biggadike was penalised for a foul to give Biggleswade a free kick just outside the box. Leverstock had a wall lined up, but as the ball was played sideways to Elliott, his shot went straight through the wall to leave Jahn motionless as the ball flew into the net for the equaliser.

Three minutes later the comeback was complete as Joy crossed into the box and Josh Sturniolo sidefooted the ball home from six yards to put his side 3-2 up.

There was some hope for Leverstock when the hosts were reduced to ten men four minutes from time, as substitute Antonio Mitri was shown a straight red card for a tackle from behind on Johnson. However, despite pushing everybody forward over the closing minutes, they could not find an equaliser.

Paul Hunt’s side will try to get back to winning ways on Tuesday night when they host London Tigers in a league match, kick-off 7.30 pm.

Man of the match: Shane Wood