Match Report

Leverstock Green scored a late equaliser to rescue a well-deserved point from Tuesday night’s trip to Leighton Town. It was the second game in charge of Leighton for former Green skipper Lee Bircham, and there were some familiar faces on the pitch for Leighton as well.

Leverstock had the ball in the net with only a minute played, but Rawn Seale’s celebrations were cut short by the offside flag. In the 18th minute Leighton were almost gifted a goal as Scott McGleish’s header back to Alfie Bonfield was intercepted, but the resulting shot went wide. Five minutes later a slip from Ollie Cox let Lewis Toomey through to take the ball past Bonfield, but McGleish was there to clear the shot off the line.

Leighton went close again in the 26th minute when Duncan Culley shot over the bar from a narrow angle after a slick passing move. On 36 minutes the action was at the other end as Seale took the ball round home keeper Connor Coulson, but his shot from a narrow angle was cleared from the six yard box. Two minutes later some great footwork from Seale created a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box, but Coulson produced a great save to turn the shot away.

The game was still goalless at half time, and early in the second half Leverstock were forced into the first of three changes as McGleish was replaced by Paul Marks. Leighton put the Green goal under pressure in the early stages of the half. Bonfield produced a good save in the 48th minute to turn a shot round the post, but the home side took the lead in the 53rd minute when former Green player Bill Morgan came in at the far post to head home a corner.

Skipper Dan Weeks was forced off with an injury to be replaced by Jack Allen just before the hour, and Elgeniy Daalberg replaced Ryan Carruthers soon after. There were few chances for either side as the game moved into the last ten minutes with Leighton still a goal up. On 82 minutes Leverstock had a chance when they were awarded a free kick just outside the box, but Rio Beach’s effort flew just over the bar. However, a minute later a ball from the back put Seale clean through. Coulson came off his line, but Seale chipped the ball over him, then ran on to meet the bouncing ball and apply the final touch to put it into the net for the equaliser.

A point was the least that Fergus Moore’s side deserved for a very solid performance against a top four side, and they face another of the top sides on Saturday when Risborough Rangers are the visitors to Pancake Lane.

Leighton Town (0) 1 (Morgan 53)
Team: 1. Connor Coulson, 2. Joe Fitzgerald, 3. Tom Bryant, 4. Brian Foulger, 5. Bill Morgan, 6. Luke Pyman, 7. Ross Adams, 8. Alfie Osborne, 9. Duncan Culley, 10. Lewis Toomey, 11. Ashton Campbell. Subs used: 14. Frankie Bircham, 15. Josh Hatton, 16. George Kerr. Subs not used: 17. Freddie Heeps, 18. Abu Khan.
Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Seale 83)
Team: 1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Ollie Cox, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks (12. Jack Allen 59 mins), 18. Scott McGleish (16. Paul Marks 50 mins), 6. Kian Wilkes, 7. Ethan Mooney, 8. Ryan Carruthers (15. Elgeniy Daalberg 65 mins), 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Sean Walsh, 11. Nagheeb Ibrahim. Subs not used: 14. Lewis Collins, 17. Brad Robinson.