Match Report

Leverstock Green put up a spirited display against league leaders Real Bedford, but eventually fell to a 3-1 defeat. Fergus Moore’s side is still plagued by injuries, with Nat Connolly having joined the injured list at the end of Tuesday’s game against Hertford. Mayar Hajousman was drafted into the side on a dual registration with Colney Heath, and Jose Costa stepped up from the reserves to a place on the bench, while Luke Beckwith returned to the bench after a long injury lay-off.

The first half saw very little in the way of notable action, with Leverstock’s disciplined shape keeping the prolific Real Bedford forward line in check, while also getting little change out of the home defence. However, in the 32nd minute a neat passing move put Joey Evans clean through to score the goal for Real Bedford which separated the sides at half time.

The second half was similarly tight, but on the hour mark Leverstock finally made a breakthrough. After a Kyle Connolly corner had been headed away, the ball went back to Connolly, and this time his cross was met by Ryan Carruthers with a glancing header that levelled the scores at 1-1.

However, the scores were only level for three minutes, as Isaac Galliford was allowed too much space in the Leverstock box to turn and lash home a shot to put Real Bedford back in front at 2-1.

There were further injury problems for Leverstock in the 75th minute as keeper Reuben Rabstein came out of his area to make a challenge. Rabstein was injured in the challenge and received a yellow card. Despite being in obvious discomfort Rabstein completed the game, and indeed pulled off a superb save in the 82nd minute to prevent a third goal.

Leverstock were still in the game until the 85th minute, when they were swiftly punished for giving the ball away on the halfway line, as Real Bedford broke quickly and Josh Setchell shot home to make it 3-1 to the home side and seal the points.

Fortunately for Leverstock, all the other teams in the bottom five were beaten as well, so they haven’t lost any ground, but they still need to start picking up points very soon. On Tuesday night they travel to Kings Langley for a local derby, with the injured Rabstein unlikely to feature.

Real Bedford (1) 3 (Evans 32, Galliford 63, Setchell 85)
1. Tyler McGregor, 2. Drew Richardson, 4. Jack Morrell, 5. Brett Longden, 6. Lee Watkins, 7. Josh Setchell (16. Harrison Knight 90+5 mins), 8. Callum Nicolson, 9. Joey Evans (12. Tom Hitchcock 90+2 mins), 10. Ben Stevens, 11. Isaac Galliford (3. Anthony Agemoh-Davies 66 mins), 17. Shaheim Ward. Sub not used: 18. Malachi Soile.
Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Carruthers 60)
1. Reuben Rabstein, 2. Ademide Baruwa, 3. Kyle Connolly, 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Gary Connolly (16. Oliwier Fusiek 87 mins), 6. Ryan Carruthers (17. Lucas Georgiou 90+2 mins), 7. Lewis Collins (15. Keanu Fleming 81 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Marcus Warren (14. Jose Costa 87 mins), 11. Mayar Hajousman (12. Luke Beckwith 71 mins).