Match Report

Leverstock Green’s unbeaten run of nine league and cup games was ended by league leaders Real Bedford at McMullen Park on Saturday. The Leverstock Green FC side put up another good performance against a team they had beaten earlier in the season, but two second half goals proved the difference in a game that Leverstock finished with ten men.

With Josh Bowler having been recalled by Berkhamsted, Leverstock had to find a new goalkeeper, and making his debut today was Liam Gauthier, previously with St Albans City and Barton Rovers.

There was a moment of controversy in the second minute of the game as Luke Beckwith was going for a loose ball, but was taken out by a challenge from the Bedford goalkeeper Tyler McGregor. There were appeals for a penalty but the referee gave nothing. In the 12th minute Nat Connolly played a promising ball forward for Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica, but McGregor came out of his area and headed the ball away. Four minutes later Leverstock Green FC almost went in front. A pass from Dan Pett towards Stefanoaica was cut out by a defender, whose touch knocked the ball past McGregor and only inches wide of his own goal.

Gauthier was first brought into action in the 25th minute, saving with his legs in a one-on-one situation. The home side also flashed a couple of shots just over the bar as they started to put the pressure on. Leverstock had a good chance in the 40th minute as a pass from Rawn Seale found Stefanoaica, but his shot from a narrow angle was well-saved by McGregor. Just before half time Gauthier made another good save with his legs to ensure that the game went into the break still goalless.

The second half continued to be evenly-contested in the early stages, but the home side took the lead on the hour with a very quick counter-attack. Joey Evans’ pass put Josh Setchell through to slot the ball past Gauthier and open the scoring.

Leverstock Green FC had another shout for a penalty in the 67th minute, but instead of awarding the spot-kick, the referee showed Stefanoaica a yellow card for simulation. A second goal for the home side in the 74th minute proved decisive. A neat passing move put Evans in to score and double Bedford’s lead.

Gauthier produced another great save in the 76th minute to tip a shot over the bar, but a minute later Leverstock’s hopes took a further blow as they were reduced to ten men. A rash challenge from Stefanoaica brought a second yellow card and an accompanying red card.

There could have been a third goal for Bedford in the 89th minute from a free kick just outside the box, but the shot came back off the post. They hit the woodwork again stoppage time, but 2-0 turned out to be the final score.

Real Bedford FC (0) 2 (Setchell 60, Evans 74)
1. Tyler McGregor, 2. Eddie Corbit, 3. Eniola Agemon-Davies, 4. Tom Wood, 5. Drew Richardson, 6. Charlie Smith, 7. Josh Setchell (14. Tom Hitchcock 90+1 mins), 8. Luke Knight (16. Claston Gordon 81 mins), 9. Joe Evans, 10. Ben Stevens, 11. Archie Jones. Subs not used: 12. James Ducket, 15. Ben Walsh, 17. Lewis Burgess.
Leverstock Green FC (0) 0
1. Liam Gauthier, 2. Ethan Mooney, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Paul Marks (15. Josh Dooley 75 mins), 6. Ryan Carruthers (14. Curtis Dibley 75 mins), 7. Luke Beckwith (12. Lewis Collins 64 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Nat Connolly (16. Ashraf Masumbuko 85 mins), 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica. Sub not used: 19. Scott McGleish.