Match Report

Leverstock Green’s winning start continued, as a single goal from Alvin Kyemereh was enough for a hard-fought 1-0 home win over a good London Colney side on a night that saw some much-needed rain at the Lords Builders Merchants Stadium. Fergus Moore’s side have still not conceded a goal in a competitive match, and they are the last remaining side in the SSML Premier Division to have not conceded.

Leverstock had the best of the early play, with Brad Robinson sending over an excellent cross to the far post in the 4th minute which was headed wide by George Mitchell-Gears.

Man of the Match Mitchell-Gears was unlucky in the 15th minute as he struck a fierce shot from 20 yards which was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Colney keeper Harvey Simson, and the rebound went just over the head of Chris Blunden. Two minutes later it was the visitors’ turn to be unlucky as a shot from Patrick Akwasi-Bronyan struck the base of the post.

Mitchell-Gears was denied by Simson again in the 20th minute as his shot was turned around the post. Four minutes later a cross from Robinson found Blunden in the box, but he couldn’t quite work a shooting position and ended up hitting the ball across the face of goal with no-one there to apply the finishing touch.

Ibrahim Nagheeb was next to have a shot at goal on 30 minutes, with a curling effort that went a yard wide. Two minutes later at the other end Akwasi-Bronyan had another great chance but hit the ball straight at Josh Mollison from close range. On 34 minutes Lewis Collins had a run into the box but put the ball over the bar from a narrow angle. Half time was reached with the game goalless and Leverstock having been frustrated by some strong defending from the visitors.

The breakthrough finally came five minutes into the second half. Nagheeb floated a corner to the back post, where Mitchell-Gears headed it back across goal, and Alvin Kyemereh was there to head home his second goal in four days to put Leverstock into a 1-0 lead.

Leverstock continued to push forward, with Collins hitting a shot just wide after a solo run on 52 minutes, and Mitchell-Gears heading wide from a Luke Beckwith cross two minutes later. In the 58th minute Colney had a free kick in a dangerous position, but Pijus Montvydas shot wide of the target. There were more chances for the Green side. On 71 minutes a great pass from Robinson put Blunden through, but his shot was saved by Simson. Three minutes later Collins hit a shot which Simson couldn’t hold onto, but he was able to smother Blunden’s effort from the rebound. In stoppage time a pass from Blunden gave Sean Walsh a run at goal, but instead of shooting Walsh opted to play a square pass to Elgeniy Daalberg, who was offside.

The game threatened to boil over during stoppage time, with yellow cards shown to both sides, but Leverstock held out for the win, which still leaves them in third place in the table, behind the other two teams with 100% records on goal difference. They now take a break from league action to focus on Saturday’s FA Cup tie against St Panteleimon.

Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Kyemereh 50)
1. Josh Mollison, 2. Brad Robinson, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Alvin Kyemereh, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Lewis Collins (16. Sean Walsh 88 mins), 8. Ibrahim Nagheeb, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. George Mitchell-Gears, 11. Luke Beckwith (12. Elgeniy Daalberg 76 mins). Subs not used: 14. Alfie Herd, 15. Kai Stonnell, 20. Scott McGleish.
London Colney (0) 0
1. Harvey Simson, 2. Ryan Wele, 3. Freddie Newing, 4. Joe West (12. Eric Sowonola 80 mins), 5. Saeed Yusuf, 6. Jake Clarke, 7. Gael Muyonge (15. Kinuthia Muriu Gakonga 80 mins), 8. Alfie Thompson (17. Jamie Samuel Clarke 68 mins), 9. Ricardo Milasius, 10. Pijus Montvydas, 11. Patrick Akwasi-Bronyan. Subs not used: 14. Danny Fowler, 16. Andy Morris.

George Mitchell-Gears, selected as Man of the Match by match sponsor Jamie Herd.