Match Report

Leverstock Green FC began their defence of the St Mary’s Cup on Tuesday night, and progressed to the semi-finals with a 3-0 win over Bovingdon. Four of the players from Saturday’s match were rested due to injury, and three others started on the bench, but the side that was picked did a professional job with a comfortable win over a Bovingdon side containing a number of ex-Leverstock players and management.

One of the ex-Leverstock players was goalkeeper Matt Fallon, and he was brought into action in the 8th minute to parry away a shot from Ademide Baruwa, with Lewis Collins just failing to get on the rebound. Fallon did well again in the 23rd minute when Collins was through on goal, coming off his line to block the shot with his legs, and again in the 28th minute, tipping a shot from Joe Sadler over the bar.

A minute later, however, a great pass from Sadler put Jayden Newman clear of the defence, and Newman ran on to slot the ball past Fallon to give Leverstock an overdue 1-0 lead.

Despite having been in control of the game, Leverstock Green FC still only had their single-goal lead at the break, and Newman was replaced at half time by Rawn Seale, having picked up an injury late in the half. Seven minutes into the second half Leverstock got the cushion of a two-goal lead. Mikey Havill-Tierney floated in a cross from the left touchline, and Seale got a glancing touch with a header into the corner of the net.

Josh Bowler was forced into his only serious save of the night in the 71st minute, turning away a header from another former Green player, Jack Allen. At the other end Fallon turned away a shot from Havill-Tierney in the 78th minute, but the third Leverstock goal finally arrived in the 89th minute as Luke Beckwith’s pass put Ethan Mooney through to put away a composed finish.

Leverstock Green FC will be away to Tring Athletic or Berkhamsted Raiders in the semi-finals, on a date to be determined. They now turn their attention back to the league with a tough home game against runaway league leaders Real Bedford coming up on Saturday.

Leverstock Green FC (1) 3 (Newman 29, Seale 52, Mooney 89)
1. Josh Bowler, 2. Callum Neal, 3. Mikey Havill-Tierney, 4. Paul Marks, 5. Josh Dooley, 6. Joe Sadler (14. Callum Moore 66 mins), 7. Lewis Collins (12. Luke Beckwith 74 mins), 8. Dan Pett (16. Dan Weeks 83 mins), 9. Jayden Newman (15. Rawn Seale H/T), 10. Ademide Baruwa, 11. Ethan Mooney (19. Scott McGleish 90 mins).
Bovingdon FC (0) 0
1. Matt Fallon, 2. Rob Johnson, 3. Ross Adams, 4. Scott Bonner, 5. Les Barkers-Obua, 6. Tommy Kennard (17. Jordan Mulholland 79 mins), 7. Tom Flanagan (15. Lewis Nicholls 65 mins), 8. Haydn Cassidy, 9. Jack Allen (16. Scott Burge 79 mins), 10. Keane Fullwood (14. Louie Carr 64 mins), 11. Harrison Datta (12. Blaaze Lawrence 63 mins).