Match Report

Leverstock Green FC finally played their first match of 2024, and it proved to be a spectacular night as the Green side found their shooting boots to put six goals without reply past Biggleswade United.

Leverstock made a bright start to the game, with two half-chances within the opening five minutes, and they took the lead in the 8th minute. Top scorer Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica received the ball by the right touchline and went on a solo run into the box before slotting home from a narrow angle for his 18th goal of the season.

There was almost a second goal four minutes later when a free kick from Dan Pett found the head of Dan Weeks, but it was deflected wide off a defender. It wasn’t long coming, though, as Pett took the resulting corner and Callum Neal headed home from inside the six yard box to make it 2-0.

Leverstock Green FC were well in control of the game, and chances kept on coming. On 16 minutes a pass from Luke Beckwith put Stefanoaica in again. His shot hit the bar, and the rebound dropped for Rio Beach, but he couldn’t get his effort on target. A minute later Rawn Seale was through on goal but his shot was saved by keeper Tom Wyant. The third goal eventually arrived on 22 minutes, and it was very similar to the second as a Pett corner found Neal at the near post with a glancing header to notch his second of the night.

There could have been a fourth goal a minute later but Wyant did well to keep out shots from Beckwith and a rebound effort from Nat Connolly. In the 30th minute a pass down the wing from Neal gave Stefanoaica another run at goal, but his eventual shot was turned wide by Wyant. In first half stoppage time Connolly was denied again as he slid in to meet a cross from Beckwith, but it was saved from close range.

Leverstock picked up where they left off in the second half. In the 48th minute Connolly pushed forward before laying off to Beckwith, who hit a ferocious shot from the edge of the box that Wyant got a hand to, but couldn’t keep out to make it 4-0.

The visitors had some brighter moments during the second half, with Josh Bowler having a couple of saves to make, but the clean sheet was never seriously threatened. Leverstock started making some changes, and one of the subs Jayden Newman added his name to the scoresheet in the 74th minute, turning on the edge of the six-yard box before steering a shot past Wyant. Just a minute later it was 6-0 as a cross from Neal found Seale to flick the ball past Wyant from close range.

The three points take Leverstock Green FC back up to fourth place, and the six goals are a huge boost to their goal difference as they continue to compete for a promotion play-off place.

Leverstock Green FC (3) 6 (Stefanoaica 8, Neal 12, 22, Beckwith 48, Newman 74, Seale 75)
1. Josh Bowler, 2. Callum Neal (17. Brad Robinson 77 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 18. Luke Durnin (14. Paul Marks 78 mins), 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Luke Beckwith (15. Ethan Mooney 62 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Nat Connolly, 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica (16. Jayden Newman 51 mins) (12. Callum Moore 77 mins).
Biggleswade United FC (0) 0
13. Tom Wyant, 16. Markel Cousins (14. Haseeb Fariad 64 mins), 3. Joe Babbage, 4. Mason Watkins-Clark (2. Aaron Dada 19 mins), 5. Cade Stephens-Abbey, 19. Gareth Hunt, 7. Aaron Hudson, 8. Jaiden Irish, 9. Coree Wilson (17. David Parkinson 56 mins), 10. Mekhi Angol, 11. Jake Stronge. Subs not used: 15. Ethan Flanagan, 18. Tom Roberts.