Match Report

Leverstock Green were on the verge of their first ever Southern League win, but a stoppage time equaliser meant that they had to be content with their first point instead. Fergus Moore had a depleted squad with four players away for this game, and Leverstock’s problems worsened during the game as three players picked up injuries.

Visitors Beaconsfield got off to a bad start when they were reduced to ten men in just the third minute of the game. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica was clean through on goal until a foul from Juan Velasco brought him down, and the referee showed Velasco a straight red card for the professional foul.

Leverstock’s injury problems started in the 28th minute when Rawn Seale had to be replaced by Alie Bangura due to a groin problem. Up to this point the visitors had seen more of the ball despite being down to ten men. Leverstock’s first big chance came in the 38th minute when Stefanoaica broke away again, and laid off to set up Bangura with a chance, but his shot was comfortably saved by keeper Edward Brearey. In the last minute of the half Beaconsfield went close when a shot from Josh Marcon went across goal and just wide, while a minute later at the other end Brearey pulled off two good saves to keep out shots from Bangura and Stefanoaica in quick succession.

Leverstock were forced into a half time change when Rio Beach had to leave the game injured, to be replaced by Ademide Baruwa. Beaconsfield had a near miss early in the second half when Dembele shot just over from close range. In the 60th minute Jamie Breen powered into the box on a solo run but shot over the bar. Six minutes later the visitors were close again with a shot just wide from Eremide Lawal.

Leverstock were forced into another change in the 66th minute when Baruwa had to go off injured after only 21 minutes in the game, and was replaced by youngster Connor McGinty. There were still chances at both ends, with a cross from Bangura just eluding Lewis Collins at the far post in the 73rd minute, and Nat Connolly and Jamie Breen having to make goalline clearances from successive corners three minutes later. Beaconsfield were denied again in the 83rd minute when Alfie Bonfield kept out a shot from Avtandiki Akhsiashvili.

The game looked like ending in a draw until Leverstock finally broke the deadlock in the 86th minute. Bangura got to the bye-line and stood up a great cross which was headed home by Stefanoaica to put the Green into a 1-0 lead.

However, in the third minute of stoppage time Leverstock gave away a free kick in a dangerous position. As the ball was floated in, Bonfield called for it but did not get to the ball before Germaine Dua got there first with a header to level the scores and clinch a point which his side certainly deserved for the way they had played throughout with ten men.

Leverstock now face a Bank Holiday Monday trip to Barton Rovers, and although there will be a couple of players returning for that one, the injury problems mean the squad will be stretched to its limits.

Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Stefanoaica 86)
1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Callum Neal, 3. Jamie Breen, 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Josh Dooley, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Lewis Collins (17, Scott McGleish 79 mins), 8. Nat Connolly, 9. Rawn Seale (12. Alie Bangura 28 mins), 10. Rio Beach (14. Ademide Baruwa H/T) (16. Connor McGinty 66 mins), 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica. Sub not used: 15. Alfie Herd.
Beaconsfield Town (0) 1 (Dua 90+3)
1. Edward Brearey, 2. Alex Peapell, 3. Juan Gonzalez Velasco, 4. Matthew Harriot (16. Iker Noguera Leon 89 mins), 5. Ben Tricker, 6. Germaine Dua, 7. Eremide Lawal (17. Jamil Yusuf 90+1 mins), 8. Joshua Marcon (15. Jadyn Dundas 84 mins), 9. Jamie Davies, 10. Akiel Raffie (12. Alex Mapp 90+4 mins), 11. Baiai Dembele (14. Avtandili Akhsiashvili 65 mins)