Match Report

Leverstock Green’s run in the Emirates FA Cup came to an end in comprehensive fashion at Felixstowe on Saturday. The home side are one of the favourites for promotion from Step Four this season, and they were too strong for a Leverstock side still finding their feet at this level and still missing some players. Leverstock had some hope when they levelled the scores in the second half, but parity did not last for long.

Felixstowe were in charge from early on, with Alfie Bonfield having to save a far post header from a corner in the 11th minute. Samuel Ford was put through on goal in the 19th minute, but his shot was blocked wide by a last-ditch challenge. However, two minutes later Felixstowe were in on goal again with Charlie Warren being put through, and he slotted the ball past Bonfield to put his side into a 1-0 lead.

Leverstock continued to be under the cosh for the remainder of the half, but a combination of blocks and saves kept the score remaining at 1-0 until half time. At the other end, the Leverstock forwards had not been able to hang onto the ball long enough to create any chances.

The second half opened more promisingly for Leverstock with Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica finally getting a run at goal, but his ball across goal eluded by Guiseppe Delgaudio and Lewis Collins. Then in the 59th minute there was a ray of hope for Leverstock. Ryan Carruthers played a ball out wide to give Stefanoaica another run at goal, and when his run into the box was ended by a foul challenge, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Stefanoiaica stepped up to take the penalty himself, and netted it to put Leverstock back into the game at 1-1.

However, that score lasted barely a minute. Felixstowe pushed forward straight from the restart, and a pass from Zac Brown put Warren through to slot past Bonfield for his second goal of the game. In the 66th minute Felixstowe had a penalty of their own as Callum Neal was penalised for a foul challenge. Joe Whight scored the spot kick to put Felixstowe 3-1 up and give Leverstock a mountain to climb.

In reality, the game was only going to go one way from there. In the 79th minute Bonfield did well to keep out a shot from Warren when the striker was clean through, but Warren netted the rebound to complete his hat-trick. Brown added a fifth for Felixstowe with a shot in the 83rd minute.

As one cup run ends, hopefully another one will begin next Saturday as Leverstock play their first ever game in the FA Trophy at home to Bury Town.

Felixstowe & Walton United (1) 5 (C.Warren 21, 60, 79, Whight 66 pen, Z.Brown 83)
1. Harry Wright, 2. Ollie Brown, 3. Thomas Warren, 4. Billy Holland, 5. Hugh Cullum, 6. Joe Whight (17. Archie Dunne 72 mins), 7. Zak Brown (15. Josh Mayhew 84 mins), 8. Noel Aitkens, 9. Samuel Ford (16. Willie Clemons 72 mins), 10. Cameron Forde-Brown (14. Callum Harrison 61 mins), 11. Charlie Warren. Subs not used: 12. Stuart Ainsley, 18. Josh Hitter.
Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Stefanoaica 59 pen)
1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Callum Neal (18. Cem Poyraz 82 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks (12. Eyituoyo Akinbulumo 71 mins), 5. Josh Dooley, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Lewis Collins (16. Ethan Mooney 71 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Guiseppe Delgaudio (14. Jamie Breen 78 mins), 10. Nat Connolly, 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica. Subs not used: 15. Paul Marks, 19. Scott McGleish.