Match Report

Leverstock Green were left frustrated again as an injury time equaliser saw their run of draws continue. Fergus Moore’s side had come from behind twice to lead against Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, but again were unable to close out the win as they registered their seventh draw in the last nine games. The visitors were under new management and with a largely new squad from the previous game, and they looked a good side who were worth their point.

The early stages of the game saw little goalmouth action, with Leverstock having a few shots which were either wide of the target or comfortably gathered by keeper Archie Davis. The first serious save of the game was made by Leverstock keeper Austin Byfield in the 25th minute as he tipped over a free kick from Jacob Williamson. However, within a minute the visitors were ahead as a cross from Williams found Jake Baldwin, whose header went in off the post to open the scoring.

Byfield saved again in the 30th minute to keep out a shot from Dan Lambeth, and a minute later the game was back on level terms. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica, back after a three-game suspension, threaded a pass to Chris Blunden, who slotted the ball past Davis for the Leverstock equaliser.

The scores were still level at half time, but Aylesbury took little time to re-establish their lead in the second half. With little over a minute played Leverstock conceded an unnecessary corner, and Williamson’s cross was headed into the top corner by Terry Griffiths.

Once again, though, they only held onto their lead for five minutes, as Leverstock levelled with a well-worked goal in the 52nd minute. Ethan Mooney exchanged passes with George Mitchell-Gears on a run into the box and fired home from a narrow angle for a 2-2 scoreline.

Three minutes later Blunden tried his luck from a free kick, but the ball flew over the bar, and in the 58th minute Blunden was unlucky as he slid in at the far post to meet a deflected cross from Stefanoaica, but the ball curled just over the angle of post and bar. A shot from Stefanoaica in the 71st minute brought a good save out of Davis. Leverstock were generally having the better of things, but the visitors occasionally threatened with long balls to Lambeth which could have produced better results.

Five minutes from time Leverstock finally got their noses in front. A corner resulted in a scramble in which Elgeniy Daalberg had two shots blocked, then Dan Pett’s shot was blocked, but the ball fell to Blunden, who netted from close range to reach double figures for the season and put his side into a 3-2 lead.

As the 90 minutes ticked over it looked like Leverstock would be able to hold out for the win, but in the first minute of stoppage time they gave the ball away near their own corner flag. Fabian Garcia won the ball and crossed into the six yard box, where Baldwin shot home to level the scores at 3-3.

Leverstock pushed forward in search of another goal, and had the ball inside the Aylesbury box in the last minute of stoppage time, but despite twisting and turning Scott McGleish could not get a shot away and the danger was cleared.

Leverstock Green (1) 3 (Blunden 31, 85, Mooney 52)
1. Austin Byfield, 2. Brad Robinson, 3. Rio Beach, 18. Bobby Armstrong, 5. Alvin Kyeremeh, 6. Ibrahim Nagheeb, 7. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica (20. Scott McGleish 90 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. George Mitchell-Gears (12. Ryan Carruthers 87 mins), 11. Ethan Mooney (14. Elgeniy Daalberg 72 mins). Subs not used: 15. Ayomide Oke, 17. Sean Walsh.
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos (1) 3 (Baldwin 26, 90+1, Griffiths 47)
1. Archie Davis, 2. Jack Empson, 3. Jake Baldwin, 4. Antonio Ianelli, 5. Terry Griffiths, 6. Charlie Atwell, 7. Curtis Brown (16. Fabian Garcia 66 mins), 8. Dave Brown (15. Charlie Jackson H/T), 9. Dan Lambeth, 10. Jacob Williamson (12. Max Rosner 82 mins), 11. Rio Deall. Subs not used: 14. Jet Dyer, 17. Sam Wood.

The two sides were also playing for the KitAid Supporters Cup, a trophy donated by match sponsors KitAid. As the game was drawn, the trophy will be carried over to the return fixture in January.