Match Report

A controversial penalty deep into stoppage time allowed Leverstock Green Reserves to claim a deserved point from Saturday’s trip to Hertford Heath. The pitch at St Margaretsbury surivived the wet weather enough to play the game, but conditions were very difficult through.

The Green side was without both Freddie Newing and Jose Costa due to suspensions. There was a new partnership at the centre of defence with recent signings Antonio Edubatey and Oliwier Fusiek both starting, and first team regular Ryan Carruthers got some more game time after a recent injury.

The home side took an early lead as a defensive slip allowed the #19 a shooting chance, which he took with aplomb as a stunning strike from the edge of the box gave Harry Maloret no chance in the 5th minute. Maloret made two great saves within a matter of seconds in the 12th minute as Hertford Heath, with the wind behind them, continued to have the better of things. Maloret saved again with his legs in the 35th minute as the home side threatened on the break.

Two changes as the break saw Michael Adriano replace Joe Dalli and another new signing Daniel Kone made his debut, replacing Kaashan Darr, with Rodger Siluba dropping back into defence. Leverstock came close to an equaliser in the 68th minute, hitting the post in a goalmouth scramble. As Leverstock pushed forward for the equaliser, they left themselves vulnerable to a counter-attack, and in the 88th minute the Hertford Heath #2 was clean through on goal, but Maloret made another crucial save to keep his side in the game.

In the first minute of stoppage time Leverstock had the ball in the net from another goalmouth scramble, but it was flagged offside and it looked like their chance had gone. However, two minutes later in another goalmouth scramble, the linesman flagged for a handball. It was a controversial decision as it looked like it may have been a Leverstock player who handled, but after consulting his assistant, the referee awarded a penalty. Carruthers took the spot kick, which wasn’t the best and was saved by the keeper, however Adriano was quickest to the rebound and put it away to earn a crucial point as Leverstock remained on top of the Herts Senior County League Premier Division.

Harry Maloret
Kaashan Darr 🔻
Antonio Edubatey
Jack Evans
Bobby O’Flynn
Oliwier Fusiek 🔻
Ryan Carruthers
Joe Dalli 🔻
Alex Vtornicov
Callum Moore 🔻
Rodger Siluba

Filip Kastrati 🟢 (for Moore 86)
Michael Adriano ⚽(90+4) 🟢 (for Dalli H/T)
Raymond John 🟢 (for Fusiek 72)
Daniel Kone 🟢 (for Darr H/T)