Match Report

Leverstock Green continued their good form as they progressed into the last 16 of the SSML Challenge Trophy with a 2-1 win over Division One side Bedford in Tuesday night’s second round tie at Pancake Lane.

The Green side had a good chance with just over a minute played as they were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position for a defender’s high boot on Curtis Donaldson, however Donaldson blasted the kick wide. However, in the 5th minute a patient build-up involving Karl Davidson and Lewis Bowers ended with Zak Howells curling a cross to the far post where Donaldson sidefooted home his 12th goal of the season to put Leverstock into an early lead.

Despite the good start, the Leverstock side’s play became increasingly scrappy during the half. In the 14th minute Davidson hit a shot which was well saved by Bedford keeper Michael Hudson, however a minute later Howells was caught in possession in the Bedford half and the visitors broke quickly. Aaron Jarvis outpaced Kane Axten to go clean through and shoot past Liam Jahn for the equaliser.

A shot from Donaldson brought out another save from Hudson in the 26th minute, and on 34 minutes Davidson turned on the edge of the six-yard box and shot just wide, but at this stage it was an even contest and Bedford were well worth a 1-1 scoreline at half time.

The second half saw the Leverstock side up their work rate and they began to create more chances. On 48 minutes Donaldson played a ball through to Davidson, who burst into the box but blazed his shot over the bar. Four minutes later Donaldson went on a run into the box before laying the ball back for Ross Adams, whose shot hit the post. On the hour mark Donaldson curled over a free kick which George Biggadike got on the end of, but headed the ball into the ground. On 64 minutes Donaldson played a one-two with Karl Thomas before hitting a shot which Hudson turned into the side netting.

Finally in the 66th minute Leverstock went back in front. Donaldson delivered a corner into the six-yard box where a defender almost put the ball into his own net. It was cleared off the line, but Davidson pounced and blasted home the loose ball for a 2-1 Leverstock lead.

There was less threat from the Bedford side in the second half than there had been in the first, but Jahn still had to produce a save on 74 minutes when Ryan Archer broke away and got the better of two Green defenders before hitting a shot. Two minutes later Donaldson had a free kick saved by Hudson, and the Bedford keeper denied him again on 81 minutes, keeping out a shot after it had been Hudson himself who had kicked the ball straight to Donaldson’s feet.

The win was harder work than it should have been, but it was still a fourth straight win in all competitions for Scott Dash’s side, who will now travel to another Division One side Winslow United in the third round of the Challenge Trophy.

On Saturday Leverstock return to league action with a home game against Hadley.