Match Report

Leverstock Green are still looking for their first point in the Southern League after falling to a 1-0 defeat at Aylesbury United on Tuesday night, but they deserved at least a point after a second half display in which they were well on top and did everything but score.

The goal that turned out to be the winner was scored in the 5th minute of the game. Alfie Bonfield was off his line when Morrison Hashii hit a lobbed shot from 30 yards out, and Bonfield slipped as he tried to backpedal and couldn’t keep the ball out.

Leverstock came close to an equaliser in the 14th minute when good buildup play from Ethan Mooney and Rio Beach on the left set up Dan Pett for a shot which went just wide. Three minutes later Bonfield did well to deny Hashii from close range after the striker met a cross at the near post. There was another Leverstock chance in the 23rd minute as a pass from Pett put Luke Beckwith in on goal, but home keeper Jack Hopwood pulled off a one-handed save to keep out Beckwith’s shot.

The second half saw Leverstock much more on the front foot. The early introduction of Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica and Guiseppe Delgaudio gave them more presence up front, and Delgaudio had a half chance on 63 minutes from an Ademide Baruwa pass, but couldn’t get his shot on target. Four minutes later Josh Dooley got on the end of a Pett corner but his header was cleared off the line.

Jamie Breen came off the bench on 70 minutes and was another threat, giving the Leverstock side genuine width and pace, and he delivered a series of excellent crosses into the Aylesbury six-yard box, but nobody was able to apply the finishing touch.

Stefanoaica had his most threatening run at goal in the 90th minute, but his eventual shot took a deflection and was punched away awkwardly by Hopwood. Two minutes later Breen worked himself a shooting chance but was unlucky as Hopwood kept it out with his boot. Deep into a lengthy period of stoppage time there was a strong shout for a Leverstock penalty but nothing was given.

Aylesbury eventually held out for the win, but the Green side’s second half performance should give them confidence that goals and results will come soon.

Aylesbury United (1) 1 (Hashii 5)
1. Jack Hopwood, 2. Liam Batchelor-Morgan, 3. Jake Bewley, 4. Jack Wood, 5. Kian Henry, 6. Ben Stallard, 7. William St. Clair-Burton, 18. Ben Peters (15. Songora-Mory Kone 74 mins), 9. Kamil Zielinksi, 10. Morrison Hashii, 11. Kwai Marsh-Brown (16. Zaid Hannachi 60 mins) (14. Josh Guthrie 87 mins). Subs not used: 12. Linidon Daka, 17. Kasper Kloc.

Leverstock Green (0) 0
1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Ademide Baruwa, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Gary Connolly, 5. Josh Dooley, 6. Ryan Carruthers (16. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica 51 mins), 7. Luke Beckwith (15. Jaden Newman 85 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale (14. Guiseppe Delgaudio 61 mins), 10. Nat Connolly (12. Jamie Breen 70 mins), 11. Ethan Mooney. Sub not used: 17. Dan Weeks.