Match Report

Leverstock Green were once again close to registering a crucial win in the Southern League Division One Central, but a late equaliser from Flackwell Heath meant they had to settle for their seventh draw of the season.

The starting lineup showed only two changes from Wednesday night’s win at Kidlington, one of them being a first start for Oliwier Fusiek, recently signed from Haringey Borough. The first half saw few chances for either side. In the 9th minute a Flackwell Heath free kick went across the face of goal and just eluded two players who were sliding in to finish. Alfie Bonfield made the first of several crucial saves in the 29th minute, keeping out a shot from James Ayres. The closest that Leverstock came in the first half was from a misdirected defensive header that had to be turned over his bar by visiting keeper Carl Dennison.

Three minutes into the second half it was Leverstock that took the lead, from a free kick awarded near the corner flag. Ryan Carruthers aimed directly at goal and it went straight in at the near post as Dennison could only help it into his own net.

Flackwell should have equalised four minutes later when a shot from Matthew Ayres deflected into the path of James Ayres, who had the goal at his mercy but slipped his shot across goal and wide. Leverstock were still holding onto their lead as the game went into the final ten minutes, but Flackwell were now pushing strongly. Bonfield made a good save from Lewis Patrick in the 83rd minute, however three minutes later a ball into the box found Callum Mapley, who hit a first time low shot that beat Bonfield and levelled the scores.

From there, Leverstock did well to hold out for the point under furious pressure from the visitors. Bonfield made some crucial saves, and his defence held firm with some important blocks and clearances.

Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Carruthers 48)
1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Callum Neal (16. Adam Morley 75 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Pett, 5. Oliwier Fusiek, 6. Ryan Carruthers (14. Keanu Fleming 71 mins), 7. Jamie Breen (17. Marcus Warren 78 mins), 8. Ademide Baruwa, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Nat Connolly, 11. Luke Beckwith (12. Lewis Collins 59 mins). Sub not used: 15. Daniel Isaac.
Flackwell Heath (0) 1 (Mapley 86)
1. Carl Dennison, 2. Kieran Jordan (16. Michael Harding 58 mins), 3. Lewis Patrick, 4. Lewis Pegg, 5. Callum Mapley, 6. Sean McGuinness, 7. Harrison Mepham, 8. Matthew Ayres (17. James Keeley 90 mins), 9. Jeffrey Fordjour (14. Abdellah El Jalaoui 75 mins), 10. James Mulley (15. Cory Hathaway 69 mins), 11. James Ayres (12. Philip Prior 70 mins).