Match Report

At half time it looked like Leverstock Green FC were set to continue their five game winning streak in the league. They had played well and were a goal up, but a dreadful start to the second half saw Harpenden Town turn the game around and end Leverstock’s winning run.

Leverstock were playing for the first time on Harpenden’s new 3G surface, which ensured there was never any doubt of the game going ahead despite all of the rain over the previous few days, and were also wearing a new away strip of pink and black for the first time.

After an even start to the game, Ryan Carruthers hit Leverstock’s first shot at goal in the 8th minute, but it was comfortably gathered by keeper Emmanuel Olajide. Four minutes later at the other end James Ewington was through on goal for Harpenden but hit his shot across goal and wide. In the 18th minute Jayden Newman ran down the left before cutting in and hitting a decent shot, which was gathered by Olajide. A good move in the 26th minute saw a pass from Dan Pett put Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica in behind the defence. Stefanoaica cuoldn’t get a shot away, but set up Newman for a shot which was deflected into the side netting.

Leverstock’s promising build-up play was finally rewarded with a goal on the break in the 32nd minute. A great pass from his own half by Luke Beckwith put Stefanoaica away down the right touchline, and Stefanoaica delivered a cross which found Newman with a clipped finish that went in off the post.

There was almost a second goal in the 37th minute when a cross from Mikey Havill-Tierney took a big deflection off defender Lewis Williams, but luckily for him it looped up just over the bar. Leverstock Green FC took their slender lead into the break and were good value for it.

However, the lead did not survive long into the second half. Harpenden attacked straight from the kick-off, and when Leverstock couldn’t clear the ball from their own six-yard box, a cross from the right was netted from close range by Ewington with just 24 seconds on the clock.

It got worse for Leverstock Green FC in the 52nd minute. They were caught on the break from their own corner, and only an intervention from Stefanoaica prevented them from being clean through on goal. However, from the resulting corner Archie Locke had a free header to put Harpenden 2-1 ahead.

The home side were well on top at this stage, and only a great save from Josh Bowler kept the score down to two as he tipped a shot from Archie McClelland over the bar in the 63rd minute. Leverstock showed occasional signs of getting back into the game. In the 75th minute Stefanoaica set up Beckwith for a shot but it was hit straight at Olajide. Three minutes later Stefanoaica did well get to the bye-line and pull the ball back but it just eluded the oncoming Nat Connolly.

A third Harpenden goal in the 83rd minute just about killed off any chances of a Leverstock revival, and it was a self-inflicted wound as a cross from the left was headed into his own net by Rio Beach. Harpenden thus gained revenge for their 2-0 defeat at Leverstock earlier in the season.

Harpenden Town FC (0) 3 (Ewington 46, Locke 52, Beach og 83)
1. Emmanuel Olajide, 2. Conor Clarke, 3. Lewis Williams, 4. Ryan Plowright (12. Ben Spranger 79 mins), 5. Archie Locke, 6. Josh Rodrigues, 7. Hadley Gleeson (16. Josh Kassaye 88 mins), 8. Dave Keenleyside, 9. James Ewington (15. Elliot Bailey 80 mins), 10. Harry Andic (17. Spencer O’Leary 70 mins), 11. Archie McClelland. Sub not used: 14. Dan Palmer.
Leverstock Green FC (1) 1 (Newman 32)
1. Josh Bowler, 2. Mikey Havill-Tierney, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 6. Callum Neal, 18. Ryan Carruthers (12. Ademide Baruwa 82 mins), 7. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Jayden Newman (14. George Mitchell-Gears 75 mins), 10. Nat Connolly, 11. Luke Beckwith (15. Morgan Grout 90 mins). Subs not used: 16. Brad Robinson, 17. Joe Sadler.