Match Report

Leverstock Green got their Spartan South Midlands Premier Division season off to a fantastic start with three points thanks to a dramatic late free kick from Chris Blunden. After a pre-season in which they had conceded goals left, right and centre, they might have been expected to struggle against last season’s runners-up, who only lost three games last season, but the whole team turned in a tremendous performance of courage, shape and discipline to keep the game tight and then win it at the death.

At the centre of the Green defence were two new signings in Luke Durnin and Alvin Kyeremeh, who hadn’t played together before but looked assured throughout the game. It wasn’t a happy return to Pancake Lane for keeper Alfie Bonfield, who lined up against his former side having made the switch to Risborough in the summer.

Leverstock had the game’s first effort at goal in the 5th minute, with Luke Beckwith hitting a shot from outside the box just wide. At the other end in the 13th minute veteran striker Jefferson Louis headed just wide from a free kick. Four minutes later Curtis Brown had a run at goal for the visitors but was well shepherded by Kyeremeh.

Leverstock had another good chance in the 30th minute when a cross from Ethan Mooney went over the head of a defender and found Beckwith, who got to the bye-line and put the ball across the face of goal, but no-one was on the end of it. The half ended with Louis hitting a shot just wide for Risborough.

Three minutes into the second half George Mitchell-Gears had an effort at goal from the edge of the box which flew just over the bar. In the 58th minute a Risborough free kick caused problems inside the Green six-yard box, but a save from keeper Josh Mollison and the woodwork kept the game goalless. A minute later Leverstock broke away and were only denied when a shot from Mooney was tipped over the bar by Bonfield.

There was another chance in the 72nd minute when a great pass from Rio Beach put Mitchell-Gears in behind the defence, but his lob over Bonfield also went over the bar. Risborough were denied again in the 81st minute when Mollison pulled off a superb save to tip a header from Louis which bounced up off the ground over the bar. Four minutes later a Risborough free kick found Gavin James free at the far post but his header was straight into Mollison’s arms.

Leverstock had done enough to earn an honourable draw, but things were about to get even better. Two minutes from time a foul on skipper Ibrahim Nagheeb presented them with a free kick 30 yards out in the centre of the pitch. The stage was set for Blunden to produce one of his trademark free kicks, and he did not disappoint. Blunden’s chip shot flew over the wall and dipped under the bar and over the despairing reach of Bonfield into the net to send the Leverstock support into ecstacy.

There could have even been a second goal a minute later as Leverstock broke away again, and Mitchell-Gears set up Blunden with a shot which deflected wide off the boot of a defender. The single goal proved to be enough, though, as the Green side held out comfortably over four minutes of stoppage time to claim a very impressive result and a deserved clean sheet.

Attention now turns to the Emirates FA Cup, and the visit of Essex Senior League side Halstead Town in Saturday’s Extra Preliminary Round tie.

Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Blunden 89)
1. Josh Mollison, 2. Brad Robinson, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Alvin Kyeremeh, 18. Luke Durnin, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Ethan Mooney (14. Lewis Collins 79 mins), 8. Ibrahim Nagheeb, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. George Mitchell-Gears, 11. Luke Beckwith. Subs not used: 12. Sean Walsh, 15. James Collins, 16. Alfie Herd, 20. Scott McGleish.
Risborough Rangers (0) 0
1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Bertie Squires-Adams, 3. Joshua Fox, 4. Ben Sturges, 5. Josh Urquhart, 6. Ellis Hercules, 7. Asher Yearwood, 8. Kieran Schmidt, 9. Jefferson Louis, 10. Liam Enver-Marum (17. Gavin James 79 mins), 11. Curtis Brown (16. Harry Scot 69 mins). Subs not used: 12. Jordan Heggie, 14. Bailey Osborne, 15. Harvey Nicholls.