Match Report

Leverstock Green notched a second straight win and clean sheet as they overcame neighbours Berkhamsted in the first round of the Herts Senior Cup on Tuesday night. A second half header from Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica was enough to seal a well-deserved and hard-fought win for the Leverstock side, who now face a home tie against Stevenage in the second round.

The first half saw the visitors have the majority of the pressure, although they only had one clear-cut chance, in the 31st minute when a cross found Leverstock legend Jonathan Lacey at the far post, but Lacey’s header went across goal and wide. Leverstock should have taken the lead two minutes before the break. Callum Neal was through on goal, and squared to set up a chance for Rawn Seale, whose shot was saved by Berko keeper Matthew Burch, although Seale and the supporters behind the goal were convinced that the ball had crossed the line before Burch pulled it back. The goal was not given, and Leverstock manager Fergus Moore was sent off for his protests.

In the opening minute of the second half Lacey had another chance, but Alfie Bonfield pulled off a tremendous save to tip his shot over the bar. There was another moment of controversy in the 73rd minute when Eyituoyo Akinbulumo got his head to a cross to seemingly put Leverstock in the lead, but the goal was then disallowed for a foul on Burch.

However, five minutes later Leverstock had the ball in the net again and this time it counted. Rio Beach went on a run down the left and delivered a superb cross which found the unmarked Stefanoaica at the far post with a perfectly-placed header past Burch to finally put Leverstock 1-0 up.

That proved to be enough as the Leverstock defence remained as solid as it had been throughout the game. Both centre-backs Gary Connolly and Akinbulumo were outstanding, but the latter just got the nod as man-of-the-match for his performance.

Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Stefanoaica 78)
1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Callum Neal (14. Isaiah Hilaire 63 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 5. Gary Connolly, 18. Eyituoyo Akinbulumo, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Ethan Mooney (17. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica 57 mins), 8. Ademide Baruwa, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Nat Connolly, 11. Luke Beckwith (12. Lewis Collins 82 mins). Subs not used: 16. Tyrone Kumi, 4. Dan Weeks.
Berkhamsted (0) 0
1. Matthew Burch, 2. Jack Tompkins (12. Roger James 63 mins), 3. Ben Walster, 4. Ross Oulton, 5. Lewis Thorpe, 6. Jordon Frederick, 7. Jonathan Lacey (16. Louie Collier 73 mins), 8. Connor Toomey (14. Kye Tearle 69 mins), 9. BJ Christie, 10. Luke Andrews (17. Josh Chamberlain 73 mins), 11. Tom Newman (15. Simeon Olarerin 63 mins).