Match Report

Report by Andy Hemington:

The reserves started their 2019/20 campaign on Saturday away at Holmer Green with Steve Hutchins picking six 16 year olds in his first competitive squad in the Suburban League, with 4 of them getting starts.

A late call up from the first team for Lucas, who has impressed throughout pre season meant Harry and Zac were reunited in midfield.

With Levy playing in yellow away kit they started brightly going close twice in the opening minutes, the 2nd opportunity brushing the post. Next after a good driving run up the right from full back Joe, he crossed but Nabil headed over. Another cross from the right saw Dillon shoot straight at the keeper from the edge of the area. Next Dillon turned provider for Bryn who had made a great run but was harshly adjudged offside. Holmer Green’s first chance fell to their centre forward but Reece got a well timed block in. Soon after Zac got a block in to stop another attack and then Joe got in a block on the line to stop Holmer Green taking the lead.

After 30 minutes the ball fell to Dillon 25/30 yards out and he let fly with a shot that hit the crossbar and then the post before bouncing across the goal with Ti nearly converting the rebound, winning a corner. From the corner we had a goal disallowed but we are still not sure why it didn’t stand. Levy were dominant now and Nabil was the next to get a shot in winning another corner. Alfie’s in-swinger found Zac who deservedly put us 1-0 ahead with a well placed header in the 33rd minute.

Bryn was looking lively and created an opening for Dillon with a well placed through ball but Dillon was caught in 2 minds to pass or shoot. 39 minutes in and Adi was called upon after a ball over the top put Holmer’s forward through. Adi got down well to his powerful left foot strike.

After 43 minutes a flowing move involving 4 Levy players ended with Alfie overlapping and getting a perfect cross in for Ti to put Levy 2-0 up. There was time for Holmer to get one more attack in before half time but once again Adi dealt with it well, and we went in with a well deserved 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately we came out very slowly for the 2nd half and within 2 minutes Holmer Green had got down the left and got a cross in for their striker to convert at the 2nd attempt making it 2-1.

Some excellent work from Nabil crested a chance for him but the keeper saved his 20 yard effort, and Ti’s header forced a good save from the keeper soon after. From the resulting corner Reece headed down for Zac to fire home for his 2nd goal and put Levy 3-1 in front. The 2 goal cushion only lasted 4 minutes as Holmer were awarded a penalty for a foul on the edge of the box and Adi had no chance from the spot kick, it was now 3-2 to Levy with 35 minutes still to play.

Louie was now on for Nabil and Will for Joe. Louie was straight into the game after some good work down the right by Ti but his shot went over the bar. Ti and Louie linked up well again and Louie was brought down in the box with both sets of supporters acknowledging it was a penalty but the one person that matters waved play on.

Will was looking lively and set Ti up but his 25 yard effort went over the bar. We were dominating the play and from a corner Zac’s header was saved on the line and then a goalmouth scramble saw him score what would have been his hat trick but even though the ref gave the goal and the linesman couldn’t have seen anything from the other side he gave it as handball after the goalkeeper appealed. It was a day when all the key decisions went against us, and we were made to pay as Holmer equalised when a cross from out wide caught the wind and sailed over Adi’s head into the top corner to make it 3-3. James Hall had come on for Ti.

Holmer Green had a good chance to win the game but Adi made a fine save from a powerful 20 yarder. We then had a couple of chances from corners but both were blocked on the line. Just before the end the lively Louie got through on goal but the keeper did well to get to the ball just before him.

Final score 3-3