Match Report

Leverstock Green’s unbeaten start to their SSML Premier Division campaign ended at the ninth game as they fell to a disappointing defeat at Hoddesdon Town. The game hinged on two penalty decisions, one given and one not, but in truth the Leverstock side faded after a bright start and didn’t create enough chances to merit getting anything out of this game.

Fergus Moore’s squad was further depleted by two suspensions from the red cards in the Dunstable game, but they started the game well and for the first 25 minutes they looked the better side. In the 16th minute a great pass from George Mitchell-Gears found Chris Blunden, who sent a lob over the keeper, but it didn’t dip enough to land under the bar. A minute later Lewis Collins was through and took the ball past the keeper, but was forced wide. Collins pulled the ball back to Blunden, but by now there were defenders on the line and Blunden’s shot was blocked. Ryan Carruthers hit a shot from the edge of the box just wide in the 23rd minute.

The remainder of the half saw the Green side struggle to make headway against a resolute Hoddesdon defence, and the home side brought a save out of Austin Byfield in the 39th minute when Joseph Shanouda turned and shot from close range.

The first controversial decision came in the 52nd minute when Hoddesdon were awarded a penalty for a challenge which looked more like it was a foul on the Leverstock player. Connor Bolton sent Byfield the wrong way from the spot to put his side 1-0 up.

Hoddesdon continued to defend strongly, and chances were few and far between for the Leverstock side. Blunden tried his luck from a free kick in the 65th minute but put the ball over the bar. Hoddesdon were denied a second goal two minutes later by a goalline clearance and a header off the line from the resulting corner. Ethan Mooney had a half-chance in the 73rd minute, but his effort was saved. The second controversial decision was in the 79th minute. Blunden was taken out by the keeper as he attempted to take the ball round him, but the referee turned down appeals for a penalty, and sent Carruthers to the sin-bin.

Despite pushing everyone forward over the closing minutes Leverstock still couldn’t create a genuine chance, and the home side held on for their win.

Hoddesdon Town (0) 1 (Bolton 52 pen)
1. Liam Nugent, 2. Harry Norman (15. Joseph Shanouda 5 mins) (12. Reece Hackney 88 mins), 3. Joe Parmley, 4. Jack Gibbs, 5. Steve Sylvester, 6. Sam Cross, 7. Torel Sterling, 8. Archie Locke, 9. Ethan Rookard (14. George Rankin 90+1 mins), 10. George Smith, 11. Connor Bolton (16. Sidney Barker 74 mins).
Leverstock Green (0) 0
1. Austin Byfield, 2. Adrian Pitfield, 3. Rio Beach, 18. Bobby Armstrong (12. George McCluskey 62 mins), 5. Alvin Kyeremeh, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Lewis Collins, 8. Ethan Mooney, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. George Mitchell-Gears, 11. Sean Walsh (16. Brad Robinson 70 mins). Subs not used: 14. Kurainashe Musanhi, 15. Ayomide Oke, 17. Darren Bonfield.