Match Report

Leverstock Green’s winless run goes on after they were well-beaten by high-flying Barton Rovers in Tuesday night’s Southern League fixture. Leverstock were unlucky to be behind after a largely even first half, but a lacklustre second half display saw the home side take control of the game.

After a quiet opening to the game, Josh Dooley had to clear a cross off the line in the 18th minute, and two minutes later Harry Way made a save at his near post. At the other end Jeffrey Sekyere had a shot parried away by home keeper Ben Heath in the 28th minute, and a minute later Marcus Warren curled a shot just over the bar.

Leverstock’s frailty from corners was in evidence again in the 39th minute as Albie Hall rose highest at the near post to head Barton into a 1-0 lead. Leverstock should have equalised just before the break when a good chance fell to Warren, but he hit it straight at the keeper.

Four minutes into the second half Leverstock made the fatal mistake of giving the ball away on the halfway line, and were instantly punished as a pass down the left side put Hall through to drill home a shot from a narrow angle to double Barton’s lead.

Leverstock might have pulled a goal back in the 58th minute as Warren pulled the ball back from the bye-line to Sekyere, but a momentary delay on the shot allowed a defender to get a boot in and deflect it over the bar. Instead they went 3-0 down two minutes later when a contentious free kick was floated into the box and former Leverstock player Rawn Seale was free to shoot home.

There was a consolation goal for Leverstock in the 90th minute as Tom Georgiou struck an excellent shot from the edge of the box into the corner of the net. However, while pushing for another goal they were caught on the break in the 3rd minute of stoppage time and Marcus Gouldbourne scored a fourth goal for Barton.

Barton Rovers (1) 3 (Hall 39, 49, Seale 60, Gouldbourne 90+3)
1. Ben Heath, 2. Michael Buckmaster (15. Ryan Neufville 76 mins), 3. Tom Baggaley, 4. Ashton Grant, 5. Kai Phelan (14. Charlie Milton 76 mins), 6. Mason Watkins (16. Reece Perry 70 mins), 7. Marcus Gouldbourne, 8. Alfie Warman (12. Saul Williams 70 mins), 9. Albie Hall (17. Jamie Breen 65 mins), 10. Rawn Seale, 11. Lucas Jordan.
Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Georgiou 90)
1. Harry Way, 2. Callum Neal, 3. Dan Casey, 4. Josh Dooley, 20. Bendie Idikayi, 6. Thomas Georgiou, 7. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Jeffrey Sekyere, 10. Marcus Warren (14. Jael Norville 66 mins), 11. Iker Noguera Leon (12. Joe McCarthy 51 mins). Subs not used: 15. Aldo Petagine, 18. Tommy Boxer, 19. Scott McGleish.