Leverstock Green exited the Isuzu FA Trophy at the first hurdle as two second half goals were enough for Lowestoft Town to claim victory in Saturday’s 1st Qualifying Round tie. After an evenly-matched first half, the home side were much the better side in the second half.

Leverstock started the game well, with Iker Noguera Leon having a shot turned wide by keeper Ben Self in the 4th minute. After a long spell during which neither side created anything of note, Leverstock keeper Harry Way produced a great save in the 30th minute, going down low to keep out a shot from Kyle Haylock.

Two minutes later Leverstock were on the attack with Juan Pablo Velasco hitting a shot from outside the box which Self turned round the post. In the 42nd minute Ethan Mooney sent over a cross which found Leon with his back to goal, and his audacious attempt at an overhead kick only went just over the bar. A minute later Dan Pett threaded a pass to Jeffrey Sekyere, but his shot went over the angle of post and bar.

Having impressed in the first half, it was a somewhat disappointing second half from the Leverstock side, who never got going after the break. Even so, it took an outstanding goal to break the deadlock, as Aaron Bullent hit a screamer of a shot from the edge of the box into the top corner of the net to put Lowestoft into the lead in the 53rd minute.

Seven minutes later Leverstock’s task became even harder as they could only clear a corner to the edge of the box, where Sam Aldous hit a shot that went into the net via a deflection.

Leverstock used all five subs over the next eight minutes, and had a lot of attacking players on the field, but were unable to create anything to threaten the Lowestoft goal. They had a shout for a penalty for a challenge on Joe McCarthy, but the referee played on. Lowestoft might have increased their lead but for some good close-range saves from Way, but their two-goal lead was never in danger.

Lowestoft Town (0) 2 (Bullent 53, Aldous 60)
1. Ben Self, 2. Rio Abodunde, 3. Fraser Heard, 5. Dylan Ruffles, 6. Connor Deeks (16. Ben Haddoch 71 mins), 7. Mitchell Belmar, 10. Aaron Bullent, 11. Kyle Haylock, 12. Harvey Peters, 17. Sam Aldous (15. Ben Atkinson 79 mins), 18. Sam Howell. Subs not used: 13. Jack Trowbridge, 14. Robert Eagle.
Leverstock Green (0) 0
1. Harry Way, 2. Callum Neal, 3. Aldo Petagine (19. Joel Onu 67 mins), 4. Josh Dooley, 5. Kalan Lisbie (14. Matt Forkin 68 mins), 6. John Gyabaah (15. Oliver Glimas 61 mins), 7. Ethan Mooney (16. Joe McCarthy 62 mins), 8. Dan Pett (12. Nat Connolly 61 mins), 9. Jeffrey Sekyere, 10. Juan Pablo Velasco, 11. Iker Noguera Leon.