Match Report

Leverstock Green FC consolidated their position of fourth place in the SSML Premier Division as they came back from the trip to bottom side Sawbridgeworth Town with all three points on Saturday. It wasn’t the prettiest of performances, but in a game which saw four penalties awarded Leverstock netted two of their three to complete their first league double of the season.

It was a bright start for the Leverstock side as they took the lead in the third minute of the game. Ryan Carruthers made a run from his own half before playing the ball out wide to Rawn Seale, whose cross found Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica in the box. Stefanoaica had to twist and turn past a defender but eventually got his shot away and fired past keeper Jack Ryan to open the scoring.

Stefanoaica had a chance of a second in the 30th minute when he was through on goal, but Ryan saved and the rebound just eluded Luke Beckwith. Three minutes later a great pass from Seale put Stefanoaica through again but he couldn’t get past the last defender to get a shot in. In the 39th minute Stefanoaica turned provider as he squared for Seale, who hit a first time shot but Ryan turned it over the bar with his feet.

There had been little threat against the Leverstock goal up to now, but three minutes before half time the home team had a chance with a free kick inches outside the penalty area. However, the Leverstock Green FC wall did its job and blocked the shot. Sawbridgeworth had been close to getting a penalty there, and in first half stoppage time they were awarded a penalty which seemed to be very harsh as there appeared to be no contact against the attacking player. Kyron Mitchell netted the spot kick to send the sides into the break level at 1-1.

Ten minutes into the second half a pass from Carruthers put Seale through on goal and clear of the last defender. Seale tried to take the ball round Ryan but was brought down by the keeper’s challenge. The referee awarded the second penalty of the game, but Leverstock failed to take advantage as Stefanoaica’s shot came back off the post.

In the 63rd minute Seale was on the wrong end of another challenge from Ryan as he was clattered in mid-air while going up for a header inside the box. Ryan was red-carded for serious foul play and the referee awarded the third penalty of the game. This time it was Dan Pett who stepped up to take the kick, and Pett made no mistake as he put Leverstock back in front at 2-1.

Leverstock Green FC continued to enjoy the bulk of possession against the home side who were now reduced to ten men. In the 75th minute Ethan Mooney made a run into the box but was sent sprawling by a late tackle from Wesley Santos, and for the fourth time in the game the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Stefanoaica wanted to make up for his earlier miss so he took responsibility again, and this time his penalty found the net for his second goal of the game and Leverstock’s third.

That was the last meaningful action of the game as Leverstock Green FC saw out the win with no late drama and collected another crucial three points.

Sawbridgeworth Town FC (1) 1 (Mitchell 45+3 pen)
1. Jack Ryan, 2. George Spillane, 3. Lewis Wicker, 4. George Fairhead, 5.  Ed Plackett, 6.  Marcus Dowdeswell, 7. Kyron Mitchell, 8.  Jeremy Ebelebe, 9. Billy Wise, 10. Morgan Arnold, 11. Wesley Santos. Subs: 12. Jacob Lodge, 14. Torie Ndongala, 15. Oshun  Lewis, 16. Favour Orihu, 20. Ethan Barton.
Leverstock Green FC (1) 3 (Stefanoaica 3, 76 pen, Pett 65 pen)
1. Josh Bowler, 2. Ethan Mooney (16. Dan Weeks 81 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 4. Paul Marks, 5. Callum Neal, 6. Ryan Carruthers (12. Ademide Baruwa 77 mins), 7. Luke Beckwith (15. Jayden Newman 72 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Nat Connolly, 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica. Subs not used: 14. Darren Bonfield, 19. Scott McGleish.