Match Report

Leverstock Green got their league season back on track as they ended a run of three straight draws with a 3-0 home victory over Shefford Town & Campton. It was a well-deserved win for Fergus Moore’s side, who controlled the game throughout and netted three times while keeping a clean sheet at the other end.

The visitors won four corners in quick succession in the opening minutes of the game, but the Green defence defended them all well. Ibrahim Nagheeb had Leverstock’s first effort at goal in the 6th minute with a shot which was saved and held onto by keeper Kyle Forster.

The scoring was opened in the 10th minute. Chris Blunden received the ball on the halfway line and pushed forward before playing it out wide to Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica, who ran on before returning the ball to Blunden on the edge of the box. Blunden then shook off the attention of two defenders to pick his spot and send a superb shot into the top corner of the net.

The lead was doubled in the 17th minute. George Mitchell-Gears curled in a cross from near the left touchline. Alvin Kyemereh got on the end of it and controlled it with his first touch before slotting it under Forster with his second touch to put Leverstock well in control of the game. There might have been a third goal in the 27th minute as Stefanaoica connected with a Dan Pett free kick, but his header went over the bar.

Leverstock continued to impress in the second half, and went close again in the 47th minute as Kyemereh met a Pett free kick with a far post header that brought a good save out of Forster. Lewis Collins was denied a goal in the 62nd minute by the offside flag, and four minutes later slid in to meet a Blunden cross but couldn’t get his effort on target.

Shefford had more of the ball in the second half than they had in the first, but the Leverstock defence kept their shape and discipline throughout, with Bobby Armstrong having a very good game, and the visitors were unable to force a save out of Austin Byfield all afternoon.

Leverstock’s performance deserved a third goal and it arrived in the 82nd minute as Blunden crossed from the bye-line and man of the match Mitchell-Gears finished from close range to leave both players with a goal and an assist each.

Leverstock are still unbeaten after seven league games, and they face another tough challenge next week at home to Dunstable Town, the only other unbeaten side in the division.

Leverstock Green (2) 3 (Blunden 10, Kyemereh 17, Mitchell-Gears 82)
1. Austin Byfield, 2. Adrian Pitfield (16. Brad Robinson 78 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 18. Bobby Armstrong, 5. Alvin Kyemereh, 6. Ibrahim Nagheeb (12. Ryan Carruthers 85 mins), 7. Lewis Collins (14. Kurainashe Musanhi 83 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. George Mitchell-Gears (15. Ayomide Oke 86 mins), 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica (17. Sean Walsh 81 mins).
Shefford Town & Campton (0) 0
1. Kyle Forster, 2. Kane O’Neil (14. Louie Dillon 65 mins), 3. Tom Cooksley, 4. Mark Ansell-Carter (16. James Younger 78 mins), 5. Iain Robinson, 6. Brad Lusty, 7. Ryan Lewis, 8. Sam Day (15. Sam Rogers 73 mins), 9. Henry Snee, 10. Sam King, 17. Charlie Thake (11. Scott Metcalfe 65 mins). Sub not used: 12. Dan Hammer.