Match Report

Leverstock Green followed up their big midweek win with another three points as they overturned a half time deficit to win 2-1 at Arlesey Town on Saturday. It was their 14th league win of the season, but the first they have come from behind to win.

It was a difficult first half for the Leverstock team, firstly due to the heavy pitch, but also due to them playing directly into the sun behind the opposition goal. After a bright start for Leverstock with a couple of early half chances, it was Arlesey who looked the more dangerous side with a more direct style that suited the conditions well.

In the 7th minute a cross from Rory Busby set up a good chance for Dwade James, but he put the ball over the bar from close range. In the 13th minute Montel Brown had a go from a free kick but it was turned round the post by Josh Bowler. Ten minutes later Brown had a run into the box, beating two challenges on the way but his shot from a narrow angle was kept out by Bowler.

Brown tried again from a free kick on 28 minutes, but Bowler gathered the ball comfortably. Arlesey finally took what was a deserved lead in the 35th minute on the break. A slip from a Leverstock player in midfield left James with a clear run at goal, and he went on to slot the ball past Bowler.

It was a second blow for the Leverstock side, with top scorer Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica having to leave the game just before the goal, being replaced by Lewis Collins. Leverstock had a bright spell at the end of the half, winning a couple of corners, but the home side still held their lead at the break.

It was a much-improved display from the Leverstock side in the second half, as they adapted better to the conditions and dominated the game. In the 49th minute a cross from Collins just went over the head of Luke Beckwith in front of goal. Six minutes later a pass from Beckwith put Rawn Seale in on goal, and Seale took the ball past keeper Ollie Skinner, but his shot was cleared off the line by a defender.

In the 63rd minute Leverstock won a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the box, but Collins’ effort went over the bar, and three minutes later Collins slid in to meet a cross but just failed to connect.

In the 71st minute Leverstock were aggrieved when they were on the attack after the referee initially played an advantage after a foul, but then pulled play back for the free kick. However, the free kick worked to their advantage. It looked as though Dan Pett was set to float the ball into the box, but instead it was a clever routine as Ryan Carruthers laid the ball off to Pett, who took off on a run towards the box before hitting a low shot that bounced in front of Skinner and went into the net for the equaliser.

Leverstock were well on top now and five minutes later they struck again. Pett and Beckwith combined on an attack which saw both trying to get shots away before Pett eventually hit a shot which Skinner could only parry away. Beckwith followed in for the rebound and slipped it past Skinner from a narrow angle to put Leverstock into a 2-1 lead.

A display of grit and determination had seen Leverstock turn the game around, and they continued to show that over the remaining minutes to close out a win which lifts them up to third in the SSML Premier Division table.

Arlesey Town (1) 1 (James 35)
1. Ollie Skinner, 2. Zack Howell, 3. Matt Gilbert, 4. Bruno Brito, 5. Yasin Boodhoo, 6. Dan Wappett, 7. Eddie Carrington, 8. Alex Taylor (15. Noah Mosanya 82 mins), 9. Dwade James, 10. Rory Busby, 11. Montel Brown (14. Ryan Rocheforth 71 mins). Subs not used: 12. Tom Millett, 16. Cameron O’Neil, 17. Tommy Cooney.
Leverstock Green (0) 2 (Pett 71, Beckwith 76)
1. Josh Bowler, 2. Brad Robinson, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 18. Luke Durnin, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Luke Beckwith, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Nat Connolly (17. Joe Sadler 83 mins), 11. Radi-Mihai Stefanoaica (12. Lewis Collins 34 mins). Subs not used: 14. Psul Marks, 15. Ethan Mooney, 16. Jayden Newman.