Match Report

A goal deep into stoppage time rescued a well-deserved point for Leverstock Green FC from their visit to Milton Keynes Irish. MK were second in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division with 12 wins and a goal difference of 41 from their first 14 league games, so were expected to pose the toughest test so far for Leverstock. However, Fergus Moore’s side worked hard throughout to ensure that they matched them all the way.

With three central defenders missing there was a welcome return for Paul Marks, making the move from Belstone for his first Leverstock appearance since 2021/22.

Leverstock Green FC could hardly have made a better start to the game, and were ahead with 90 seconds on the clock. A superb pass from just inside his own half by Ryan Carruthers put Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica in behind the last defender with a clear run at goal, and Stefanoaica did the rest, running on to slot past keeper Tom Ladyman for his 13th goal of the season.

There could have been a second goal in the 5th minute. A poor back pass put Ladyman in trouble, and Rawn Seale won the ball, but his shot was blocked on the line by a covering defender. Instead the scores were level two minutes later. George Shrieves received the ball just outside the Leverstock box, and got past a couple of defenders before hitting a low shot which Josh Bowler got a hand to, but couldn’t keep out.

Leverstock Green FC had some defending to do for the next 20 minutes. In the 14th minute there was an almighty goalmouth scramble from an MK corner, with Rio Beach firstly heading off the line, and two further follow-up efforts being blocked in the six-yard box. In the 24th minute another corner went over the outstretched arm of Bowler but was cleared off the line by Dan Pett. Four minutes later there was a controversial moment when Bowler came off his line to claim the ball ahead of an oncoming attacker. Bowler’s momentum and the slippery conditions appeared to take him just outside the penalty area with the ball still in his hands. The referee blew for the free kick, and showed Bowler a yellow card when many in the ground were expecting a straight red.

With no further chances, the scores were level at the break. The second half saw a spell of heavier rain, although the pitch still held up very well. Leverstock were under some pressure early in the second half, with a challenge from Beach denying a chance for Mason Spence in the 49th minutes, and a great save from Bowler keeping out a shot from Ryan Smith two minutes later.

In the 59th minute Luke Beckwith was through on goal, but tried to square for Stefanoaica instead of hitting a shot himself, and the pass was blocked. Four minutes later Leverstock had a free kick in a dangerous position a yard outside the box, but Stefanoaica’s effort curled just wide of the post.

It was still a very even contest until the 77th minute when the home side took the lead with a somewhat fortuitous goal. A punch away from Bowler cannoned off his own defender and landed at the feet of Spence, who had the simple task of shooting home from a yard out.

However, Leverstock Green FC were not beaten and pushed forward for an equaliser. In the 84th minute a cross from Ethan Mooney looked set to drop for Jayden Newman, but Ladyman claimed the ball. Two minutes into stoppage time Leverstock were unlucky again when a shot from Stefanoaica hit the inside of the post and rebounded across goal, but didn’t go in. MK immediately broke away and had a two-against-one situation, but the chance was blocked. Had they taken the ball into the corner instead of going for the third goal they would probably have run the clock out and won the game.

Instead, Leverstock Green FC got the ball back and won a corner in the 4th minute of stoppage time. Before the corner was taken, Scott McGleish came off the subs bench. McGleish didn’t touch the ball, but perhaps his presence caused concern in the MK defence as Dan Pett swung the corner right into the danger zone, and Stefanoaica was there to smash the ball home from close range for a dramatic equaliser.

In the aftermath of the goal Ladyman was sent to the sin-bin and was replaced in goal by Liam Smyth, but there wasn’t enough time left for anything to happen and the final whistle went for a final score of 2-2, a game bookended by Stefanoaica’s two goals.

Milton Keynes Irish FC (1) 2 (Shrieves 7, Spence 77)
1. Tom Ladyman, 2. Clinton Zane, 3. Callum Hirst, 18. Nat Beecher (4. Liam Smyth 90+4 mins), 5. Shahiem Ward, 6. Nathan Smith, 14. Oliver Coleman (15. Stephen Brooks 75 mins), 8. Ryan Smith, 10. Ty Ward, 11. Geoff Shrieves, 20. Mason Spence. Subs not used: 12. Luke Gardner, 7. Andre Olukanmi, 16. Daniel Griffiths.
Leverstock Green FC (1) 2 (Stefanoaica 2, 90+4)
1. Josh Bowler, 2. Ethan Mooney, 3. Rio Beach (19. Scott McGleish 90+3 mins), 4. Paul Marks, 5. Callum Neal, 6. Ryan Carruthers (14. George Mitchell-Gears 74 mins), 7. Luke Beckwith (15. Jayden Newman 82 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Nat Connolly, 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica. Subs not used: 12. Ademide Baruwa, 16. Mikey Havill-Tierney.