Match Report

Two of the SSML Premier Division’s draw specialists both had to be content with another point each from today’s game, in what could either be seen as Leverstock Green squandering a two-goal lead or a great comeback from visitors Potton United.

With regular keeper Austin Byfield having picked up a groin strain in the week, Tautvydas Poniskaitis was back between the sticks for Leverstock, and he was first brought into action in the 12th minute to save a close-range header from former Green player Dave Parkinson.

Leverstock finally started to get some reward from their impressive build-up play in the latter stages of the first half. On 29 minutes Ibrahim Nagheeb went on a dazzling solo run into the box, but at the point he was getting his shot away he was denied by a last-ditch challenge. Bobby Armstrong got his head onto the resulting corner but it went wide.

On 36 minutes Luke Beckwith cut in from the left and curled a shot towards the far post which deflected wide off a defender. The resulting corner was not really cleared by the Potton defence, and when the ball was played back in, Beckwith headed it forward to Chris Blunden, who was denied by a flying save from keeper Cameron Groom. However, Alvin Kyeremeh followed up and slotted home the rebound from a narrow angle to put Leverstock into a 1-0 lead which they took into the break.

The second half saw the visitors come into the game more, and they went close on 50 minutes when Marcus Gouldbourne was through on goal. Poniskaitis parried the shot and Dan Weeks cleared the loose ball.

Ten minutes later Leverstock broke away from a Potton free kick, and Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica played a pass through to Beckwith, but Groom got there just ahead of him.

Ryan Carruthers came off the bench on 62 minutes to replace Beckwith, who had just been booked, and seven minutes later Carruthers won the ball on the edge of the penalty and had a clear shooting chance, but hit it straight at Groom.

However, a rare Carruthers goal was not long in coming. On 71 minutes Stefanoaica, who ran himself into the ground in this game, won the ball off a defender on the left side of the penalty area, then laid it across to Carruthers, who this time hit his shot out of Groom’s reach and in off the post for a 2-0 Leverstock lead.

Having established the cushion of a two-goal lead, Leverstock promptly lost their concentration and conceded a goal within two minutes, as Gouldbourne had the space on the edge of the area to send a shot over Poniskaitis into the top corner of the net.

Worse was to come in the 78th minute as a cross came in from the left, and Macson Fraser cut in front of a Leverstock defender before firing home the equaliser.

The visitors were reduced to ten men temporarily when skipper Jesse Armoo was sent to the sin-bin in the 81st minute, but Leverstock couldn’t take advantage of the extra man for the ten minute period. They did however come close to winning the game in the fifth minute of stoppage time when a cross from Kyeremeh dropped for Stefanoaica, who looked set to score but his shot was kept out by a great save from Groom.

On the balance of the second half play a draw was a fair result, but Leverstock will again feel like two points have been dropped rather than a point gained.

After the game there was a special presentation to skipper Dan Weeks, who was making his 200th appearance for the club.

Leverstock Green (1) 2 (Kyeremeh 37, Carruthers 71)
1. Tautvydas Poniskaitis, 2. Alvin Kyeremeh, 3. Kurainashe Musanhi, 4. Dan Weeks, 18. Bobby Armstrong, 6. Ethan Mooney (14. Elgeniy Daalberg 80 mins), 7. Luke Beckwith (12. Ryan Carruthers 62 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. Ibrahim Nagheeb, 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica. Subs not used: 15. Ayomide Oke, 16. Brad Robinson, 20. Luke Durnin.
Potton United (0) 2 (Gouldbourne 73, Fraser 78)
1. Cameron Groom, 2. Kye Tearle (15. Lil Francisco 68 mins), 3. Callum Wilson, 4. Sam Willis, 5. Jesse Armoo, 6. Aidan Fennelly, 7. Macson Fraser, 8. Josh Brown, 9. Dave Parkinson, 10. Marcus Gouldbourne, 17. Cole Butler. Subs not used: 12. Louis Octave, 14. Josh Howard-Dobson, 16. Jimmy Martin.