Match Report

Leverstock Green FC had to be content with a point from Saturday’s visit to Dunstable Town in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division. Leverstock had much the better of a game played in a difficult swirling wind, but were unable to turn their good play into goals.

With injuries to the Leverstock back line, a new old face was drafted in with former Kings Langley and Leighton Town skipper Gary Connolly drafted in for his first Leverstock appearance since 2009.

Leverstock Green FC had the game’s first chance in the 6th minute when Ademide Baruwa got to the bye-line and pulled the ball back into the six-yard box, but neither Ethan Mooney nor Rawn Seale could get a decisive touch on the ball to put it away. Luke Beckwith went close in the 19th minute with an excellent strike from the edge of the box that flew a couple of inches over the bar.

Dunstable had produced little to trouble the Green goal in the early stages, but it was they who took the lead in the 32nd minute as a cross from the right found Ezra Forde, who turned and shot home from close range.

Their lead only lasted for five minutes, though. A pass from Beckwith found Ryan Carruthers in space but some distance from goal, however Carruthers has form for scoring goals from distance and so it proved again as he hit a tremendous shot that gave home keeper Alex Desmond no chance to level the scores at 1-1.

Leverstock Green FC survived a goalmouth scramble following a Dunstable corner in the 41st minute, with the ball being headed off the line at one point. The teams went into the break with the scores still level at 1-1.

Four minutes into the second half Rio Beach received a pass from Mooney and delivered a great cross which found its way to the far post where Beckwith looked certain to score, but his shot was deflected over the bar by a superb reaction save from Desmond. Leverstock were even more in control of the game in the second half than they had been in the first, but chances were still in short supply.

The nearest that Leverstock Green FC came to winning the game was in the 90th minute when a shooting chance opened up for Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica, but again Desmond saved his side as he deflected the shot wide with his legs. Having barely produced a shot at goal throughout the half, Dunstable almost won the game in stoppage time when Forde turned a defender on the edge of the box and had the goal at his mercy, but shot wide.

The point keeps Leverstock in 4th place, but with sides below them starting to win games, they are going to need a couple more wins yet before a play-off place can be secured.

Dunstable Town FC (1) 1 (Forde 32)
1. Alex Desmond, 2. Ricardo Green, 4. Alex Butt, 5. Sam Scott, 6. Alfie Osborne, 7. Danny Webb (16. Josh Hatton 86 mins), 8. Harry Beaumont, 9. Ezra Forde, 10. Joe Sellers-West (17. Aidan Kavanagh 74 mins), 11. Tolu Ikuyiniminu, 18. James Lauder (14. Andrew Osei-Bonsu 62 mins). Subs not used: 12. Sean Lockehart, 15. Joe Reynolds.
Leverstock Green FC (1) 1 (Carruthers 37)
1. Josh Bowler, 2. Mikey Havill-Tierney, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Gary Connolly, 5. Josh Dooley, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Luke Beckwith (16. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica 68 mins), 8. Ademide Baruwa, 9. Rawn Seale (15. George Mitchell-Gears 77 mins), 10. Nat Connolly (12. Curtis Dibley 84 mins), 11. Ethan Mooney. Subs not used: 14. Paul Marks, 19. Scott McGleish.