Match Report

Leverstock Green FC progressed through to the next round of the Isuzu FA Vase, but it was a more nervy ending than it needed to be after the Leverstock side had established a three-goal lead in the second half. A late comeback from SSML Division One side Ampthill Town threatened to take the game into penalties.

Due to injury and unavailability Fergus Moore was without his usual forward line plus three other players. Two players signed on a dual registration with Hadley were brought in to plug the gap up front, and between them Jordan Edwards and Jayden Newman contributed the three goals that won the game.

Leverstock Green FC made a bright start to the game, and went close in the 2nd minute when a deflected shot from Ryan Carruthers went just wide of the post. Luke Beckwith had the ball in the net in the 10th minute but the offside flag was already up. However, Beckwith made a key contribution to the opening goal four minutes later. Newman made a strong run forward before Beckwith’s pass set up Edwards to shoot home into the corner of the net.

There should have been further goals in a first half that Leverstock Green FC dominated. On 25 minutes Newman went on a mazy run into the box and hit a shot which took a deflection, but keeper Ross Tompkins pulled off a great improvised save to keep the ball out. Three minutes later Beckwith showed some very nifty footwork in the box, and although he couldn’t get a shot away himself, he set up Edwards for a shot which went straight at Tompkins. On 37 minutes a pass from Beckwith set up a chance for skipper Dan Weeks, but his shot went across goal and wide. Leverstock keeper Austin Byfield had little to do during the half, but in stoppage time dived to save a shot from Sam Holmes at his near post.

Leverstock went into the break with just the single goal lead, but that was doubled in the 52nd minute. Rio Beach pushed forward before a pass from Edwards picked out Newman to clinically shoot home the second goal. The favour was returned in the 64th minute when Newman crossed from the right and Edwards got on the end of it to head home the third Leverstock goal.

It looked like a comfortable lead, but two minutes later the deficit was reduced as Ampthill pulled a goal back, with Holmes applying a neat finish to a cross from the left.

The three goal lead was almost re-established on 74 minutes as Newman hit a rasping shot from the edge of the box which struck the bar. Leverstock Green FC hit the woodwork again in the 84th minute as Mikey Havill-Tierney tried his luck from distance with a shot that struck the post. It still seemed inconceivable that Leverstock wouldn’t win the game, but in the 88th minute their lead was further reduced as they were caught out down the right. Byfield kept out a shot but could only parry it away, and Danny Watson followed up to net the rebound and make it 3-2.

Leverstock Green FC did their best to run out the clock during seven minutes of stoppage time, but there were still moments of danger as Ampthill threw everyone forward to try to take the game into an unlikely penalty shoot-out. Leverstock Green FC held out, though, and will now travel to fellow SSML Premier Division side Crawley Green in the Second Qualifying Round on Saturday 23rd September.

Leverstock Green FC (1) 3 (Edwards 14, 64, Newman 52)
1. Austin Byfield, 2. Mikey Havill-Tierney (15. Ethan Mooney 85 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Callum Neal (14. Connor McGinty 76 mins), 6. Danny May, 7. Ryan Carruthers, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Jordan Edwards, 10. Jayden Newman, 11. Luke Beckwith (12. Ademide Baruwa 79 mins). Subs not used: 16. Brad Robinson, 17. Darren Bonfield, 19. Scott McGleish, 20. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica.
Ampthill Town FC (0) 2 (Holmes 66, Watson 88(
1. Ross Tompkins, 2. Jake Kissiedu, 3. James Sheridan, 4. Sam Burke, 5. Jack Kent, 6. Sam Holmes, 7. Kadeem Gutzmore (15. Michael Fullerton 75 mins), 8. Will Barrett (14. Charlie Cullen 75 mins), 9. Drew Roberts, 10. Tierlan Wilson, 11. Phil Draycott (16. Danny Watson 68 mins). Sub not used: 12. Mitch Howe.