Match Report

Leverstock Green continue to make progress a point at a time in the Southern League Division One Central. Saturday’s goalless draw at Leighton Town was their fourth draw in the last six games, and their 11th overall in 26 league games. This was a well-earned point, with a determined and disciplined team performance throughout, and for the second game running goalkeeper Ryan North earned the MOM award for a series of superb saves that kept his side in the game.

Leverstock are still suffering an injury crisis, with several key players missing, but there was a return to the side today for Jamie Breen, who gave an impressive display down the left and caused a lot of problems for the Leighton defence before being withdrawn after an hour.

North had to make his first save just ten seconds into the game, going down low to block a shot on the goalline. There was a good chance for Leighton in the 19th minute when Godlove Oppong was put through, but hit his shot across goal and wide. There was a flurry of chances towards the end of the first half. In the 35th minute Ademide Baruwa got on the end of a cross from Luke Beckwith but couldn’t keep his header on target. Two minutes later Leighton had a corner, and Tolu Ikuyinminu hit the near post direct from the corner. There was another chance for Baruwa in the 38th minute was a pass from Kyle Connolly put him through, but his shot went into the side netting.

In the 42nd minute there was another good chance for Leighton when a cross found Charlie Pattison at the far post, but he headed wide. Leverstock had their best chance of the game in the last minute of the half. Neither Lucas Georgiou nor Kyle Connolly were able to get a shot away from a good position inside the box, but the ball went back to Dan Pett, whose shot towards the top corner veered away at the last moment and skimmed the outside of the post.

Leighton were on top for most of the second half, but again the Leverstock side showed great resiliance to keep them out. North made a brilliant save to turn away a header from Kyal Williams in the 51st minute, and kept out a shot from Williams a minute later. In the 70th minute a poor kick from North went straight to Samuel King, who had a run at goal but North redeemed himself by keeping out King’s shot. Two minutes later North saved again to turn away a free kick from Williams. In the 79th minute Marcus Warren headed off the line from a Leighton corner.

Leighton piled on the pressure over the closing minutes with a series of corners, even hitting the bar at one point, but they could not put the ball in the net and the Leverstock side held out to claim a point.

Leighton Town 0
1. George Rose, 2. Anthony Ball, 3. Tolu Ikuyinminu, 4. Luke Pyman, 5. Lewis Thorpe (14. Luke Tingey 28 mins), 6. Sam McClelland, 7. Kyal Williams, 8. Charlie Pattison, 9. Lynton Goss, 10. Godlove Oppong, 11. Samuel King. Subs not used: 12. Ben Farrell, 15. Finley Jaggard, 16. Emmanuel Dahle.
Leverstock Green 0
1. Ryan North, 2. Lucas Georgiou, 3. Jamie Breen (16. Marcus Warren 61 mins), 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Gary Connolly, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Kyle Connolly, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Guiseppe Delgaudio, 10. Luke Beckwith (14. Keanu Fleming 79 mins), 11. Ademide Baruwa. Subs not used: 12. Jose Costa, 15. Oliwier Fusiek, 19. Scott McGleish.