Match Report

Leverstock Green FC twice came from behind to earn another point in the Southern League Division One Central. The Leverstock side turned in a very hard-working and battling performance against Leighton Town and were well worth their point against a team in good form recently.

It wasn’t a great start for Leverstock as the visitors took the lead in the 8th minute from a very straightforward goal. Charlie Pattison rose unchallenged at the near post to head home a corner.

However, Leverstock Green FC got themselves into the game and went close to an equaliser in the 26th minute as a pass from Luke Beckwith put Guiseppe Delgaudio in on goal, but visiting keeper Connor Hunt saved Delgaudio’s shot. The equaliser came seconds later, though, as a pass from Delgaudio put Lewis Collins clean through on goal, and Collins took the ball round Hunt before slotting into the empty net for 1-1.

It looked like the scores would be level at the break, but in first half stoppage time Leverstock conceded again from a corner. Jack Sayell’s header was saved by Alfie Bonfield, but the rebound was not cleared and Sayell pounced to force the loose ball home for a 2-1 Leighton lead.

Seven minutes into the second half Leverstock were awarded a penalty as Hunt brought down Dan Pett inside the box as he chased a rebound. Beckwith stepped up to take the spot kick and sent it past Hunt to level the scores again at 2-2.

Leverstock Green FC went close to going in front for the first time in the 66th minute. A neat reverse pass from Pett gave Collins the chance to show his pace and race clear of the Leighton defence, however Collins’ eventual shot went across goal and just eluded Delgaudio sliding in at the far post. Tolu Ikuyinminu had the best chance for Leighton to win the game in the 71st minute when through on goal, but hit his shot wide under pressure from a Leverstock defender. Leighton put the Leverstock goal under quite a bit of pressure in the closing minutes, but they held out to claim the point from an entertaining game.

Leverstock Green (1) 2 (Collins 26, Beckwith 53 pen)
1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Ethan Mooney, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 18. Eyituoyo Akinbulumo, 6. Nat Connolly, 7. Lewis Collins (17. Rawn Seale 69 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Guiseppe Delgaudio (16. Tyrone Kumi 82 mins), 10. Lewis Croucher (12. Ademide Baruwa 57 mins), 11. Luke Beckwith (15. Isaiah Hilaire 76 mins). Sub not used: 14. Josh Dooley.
Leighton Town (2) 2 (Pattison 8, Sayell 45+1)
1. Connor Hunt, 2. Charlie Stirland, 3. Sebastian Simpson, 4. Ben Farrell (17. Alfie Tucker 69 mins), 5. Luke Tingey, 6. Lee Cooksey, 7. Samuel King, 8. Jack Sayell (12. Emmanuel Dahle 69 mins), 9. Lynton Goss, 10. Charlie Pattison, 11. Tolu Ikuyinminu (16. Kyle Boyce 79 mins). Subs not used: 14. Harry Tucker, 15. Ben Ford.