Hertingfordbury Park

Hertford Town F.C.

Hertingfordbury Park,
West St,
Hertford,
SG13 8EZ

(A) Hertford Town

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(A) Enfield

Leverstock Green gave their survival hopes a big boost as they came from behind to record a convincing 4-1 win away to Enfield, only their third win so far in the Southern League Division One Central.

The day before the game the Leverstock squad was strengthened by the loan signing of Jeffrey Sekyere from Wealdstone, and the 21 year old striker made a big impression on his debut with a goal and two assists.

Leverstock started the game strongly. In the 6th minute Jamie Breen made a mazy run into the Enfield half and exchanged passes with Kyle Connolly to go through on goal, but his shot was well saved by home keeper George Edgeworth, who also saved the follow-up effort from Rawn Seale. In the 15th minute Sekyere had his first sight of goal when a pass from Marcus Warren put him through, but Edgeworth saved again.

Enfield didn’t get going until half an hour into the game, and Ryan North had to pull off two quick saves in succession to keep the scores level. Sekyere was denied again by Edgeworth in the 36th minute, but two minutes later it was Enfield who took the lead somewhat against the run of play, as Kieran Southgate shot home in a scramble following a corner.

Just before half time a bad tackle on Breen saw him leave the game injured, replaced by Rio Beach, making a welcome return to the side after a long injury layoff.

Leverstock continued to impress in the second half, and they got their deserved equaliser in the 59th minute as a pass from Kyle Connolly put Warren through on goal to calmly slot the ball past Edgeworth. Within two minutes the turnaround was complete. Sekyere won the ball from a defender in the box and squared for Luke Beckwith, who had a defender in front of him but worked the space to get in a shot past Edgeworth and put Leverstock 2-1 up.

The game blew up in the 77th minute. Dan Pett received a yellow card for a heavy challenge on Enfield defender Luke Clark, which saw Clark eventually stretchered off, but the reaction of goalkeeper Edgeworth, who came out of his goal and threw Pett to the ground, earned him a straight red card. After a lengthy stoppage for the treatment to Clark, the game restarted with Enfield down to ten men and defender Joni Vukaj taking over in goal.

Leverstock kept their heads, continued to push forward, and eventually added further goals to cement their win. In the 86th minute Kyle Connolly got his second assist, threading a pass to Sekyere, who neatly slotted past Vukaj for the third goal. Connolly should have scored himself two minutes later when clean through, but Vukaj saved with his legs. Seale also missed a chance in stoppage time, shooting over the bar from Sekyere’s pass, but the fourth goal eventually arrived when Sekyere put Beckwith through to score his second of the game.

With Kidlington and Northwood both dropping points, the win moves Leverstock to within two points of safety, but they still have a lot of work to do, starting with a home match against playoff-chasing Hadley on Tuesday night.

Enfield (1) 1 (Southgate 38)
1. George Edgeworth, 3. Luke Clark (10. Sami Bessadi 83 mins), 5. Matthew Hurley, 20. Bradley McClenaghan (6. Callum Taylor 60 mins), 7. Joni Vukaj, 16. Freddy Moncur (8. Louie Pullen 60 mins), 9. Kieran Southgate, 11. George Thompson, 4. Jack Taylor, 19. Dimitri Christou (14. Gabriel Ipanga Mbambo 70 mins), 17. Myles John.
Leverstock Green (0) 4 (Warren 59, Beckwith 61, 90+3, Sekyere 86)
1. Ryan North, 2. Lewis Collins, 3. Jamie Breen (12. Rio Beach 45 mins), 4. Gary Connolly, 5. Josh Dooley, 6. Kyle Connolly (14. Ryan Carruthers 90 mins), 7. Luke Beckwith (17. Keanu Fleming 90+2 mins), 8. Dan Pett (18. Lucas Georgiou 90+2 mins), 9. Jeffrey Sekyere, 10. Marcus Warren (15. Nat Connolly 69 mins), 11. Rawn Seale.

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(A) Hatfield Town

Leverstock Green Development faced a tough task with a visit to Hertford to face Hatfield Town, who had won four of their opening five games. It proved to be a tough game with Hatfield winning 4-1. Ryan Hennessy scored the Leverstock goal.

Lineup:

Daniel Gee
Ayoub Enajar
Toby Mandeville
Alfie Herd
Endrit Krasniqi
Harry Herbert
Martin Kirov
Mayar Hajousman
Ryan Hennessy
Bobby O’Flynn
Michael Adriano

Shaki Innocent (for O’Flynn)
Antonio Ivanov (for Hajousman)
Stephen Norris (for Kirov)
Riley Noel-Williams (for Herbert)
Jack Marshall (for Adriano)

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(A) St Panteleimon

Leverstock Green’s run of league games without a win stretched to six after they suffered their second league defeat in Wednesday night’s game against St Panteleimon. The whole of the game was played in heavy torrential rain, although the 4G pitch at Hertford meant that the game was never in any danger.

The Green side made a shaky start to the game, and were punished for giving the ball away in their own half in the 3rd minute, as Guilhelme Monti ran through and hit a low shot out of Austin Byfield’s reach into the corner of the net.

Leverstock finally got going in the 15th minute as Chris Blunden and Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica combined on a quick break. Stefanoaica’s shot was blocked, painfully by his teammate Ethan Mooney, and Blunden hit the rebound just over the bar. Three minutes later the two combined again as Stefanoaica crossed from the right touchline. The cross was missed by a defender and found Blunden in front of goal to shoot home the equaliser.

It should have been 2-1 in the 34th minute in a goalmouth scramble following a corner, but both Blunden and Mooney had shots cleared off line. Blunden went close again two minutes later with a dipping effort that went just over the bar. An entertaining half between two evenly-matched sides finished with the score at 1-1.

As the rain got even heavier, the second half produced somewhat less in the way of goalmouth action at both ends. The home side were reduced to ten men in the 57th minute as the goalscorer Monti was booked for diving and received his second yellow card.

Leverstock didn’t make the most of their numerical advantage, although they had a couple of chances. On 70 minutes a pass from Ibrahim Nagheeb gave Stefanoaica a run at goal, but his shot was deflected wide, while on 76 minutes a pass from Blunden set up a shot for substitute Elgeniy Daalberg, but his effort went across goal and wide. Disaster struck on 79 minutes when home forward Dean Morgan took advantage of Leverstock being caught short at the back to fire home a shot from the edge of the box for a 2-1 St Panteleimon lead.

Leverstock had produced miraculous late equalisers for 2-2 draws in both of the FA Cup ties against St Panteleimon earlier in the season, but they couldn’t repeat the magic this time, and their chances were further hampered by Blunden having to go off injured in the 81st minute.

St Panteleimon (1) 2 (Monti 3, Morgan 79)
1. Diego Pereira, 2. Felipe Diaz, 5. Michael Frangeskou, 3. Ahmed Zaghloul, 4. Clayton Afonso, 10. Guilhelme Monti, 7. Jonathan Moura, 6. Jefferson Clemente (20. Joao Praes H/T), 11. Ayub Albadri (8. Ahmed Doukhi 64 mins), 9. Dean Morgan (19. Emerson Silva 87 mins), 18. Courtney Massay. Sub not used: 16. Igor Santos.
Leverstock Green (1) 1 (Blunden 18)
1. Austin Byfield, 2. Alvin Kyeremeh, 3. Rio Beach, 18. Bobby Armstrong (16. Brad Robinson 65 mins), 20. Scott McGleish, 6. Ibrahim Nagheeb, 7. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Chris Blunden (15. Ayomide Oke 81 mins), 10. George Mitchell-Gears (14. Elgeniy Daalberg 72 mins), 11. Ethan Mooney. Subs not used: 12. Ryan Carruthers, 17. Sean Walsh.

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(A) St Panteleimon

AET, Leverstock Green won 4-2 on penalties.

Leverstock Green were heading out of the FA Cup, as they trailed St Panteleimon 2-0 in their FA Cup replay with just two minutes to play. However, they produced another amazing comeback to take the tie into extra time, and after a goal apiece during extra time, they held their nerve to win the penalty shoot out 4-2. Their reward is a glamour tie away to Billericay Town in the First Round Qualifying on Saturday 3rd September.

There was a late change to the Leverstock line-up with Austin Byfield replacing Josh Mollison, who was held up in traffic, as the starting goalkeeper. There were few chances early in the game. Ryan Carruthers got the ball across the face of goal in the 11th minute, but no-one was there to put it in. In the 18th minute the home side had a free kick in a dangerous position but it was hit low and straight at Byfield. Rio Beach had to clear off the line in the 21st minute, while at the other end a minute later Alvin Kyemereh put the ball into the six yard box, but it was cleared by Renzo Alves.

The home side were looking the more dangerous, and they took a deserved lead in the 28th minute when Ahmed Doukhi hit a fierce shot from distance that left Byfield standing as it flew into the net. They should have had a second goal in the 41st minute when Doukhi intercepted a back header from Rio Beach, but with the goal at his mercy he shot wide.

Leverstock had a good chance for an equaliser in the 57th minute when Chris Blunden crossed into the six yard box. Lewis Collins slid in at the far post but put the ball just wide. Five minutes later a simple pass down the middle opened up the Green defence and the home side doubled their lead with a shot past Byfield. They were much the better side at this time and had a number of other efforts at goal, some bringing saves out of Byfield and others missing the target or hitting the woodwork.

By contrast Leverstock were creating little and had not even brought a save out of home keeper Diego Pereira. The introduction of Scott McGleish with ten minutes left perked things up, but with two minutes remaining there seemed little chance of saving their FA Cup hopes. However, in the 88th minute Alvin Kyeremeh lofted a pass from has own half towards McGleish near the opposition corner flag. McGleish did well to hold the ball up before laying back to Luke Beckwith, who played a crossfield pass to Dan Pett. Pett controlled the ball with his first touch and ran on to strike a superb shot into the bottom corner of the net with his second touch to give Leverstock a glimmer of hope.

The home side were clearly rattled at the prospect of blowing another 2-0 lead, and as Leverstock pushed forward in stoppage time, the equaliser was not long in coming. Dan Weeks hurled a long throw into the box, Kyeremeh flicked it on and Rio Beach headed it on further towards Ryan Carruthers, who controlled it with his first touch, and with his second touch sent another rocket of a shot into the top corner of the net from 25 yards.

That took the tie into extra time, and 11 minutes into the first period it looked like the turnaround was complete. Byfield launched a long kick upfield which was flicked on by McGleish. Beckwith picked the ball up, held off the challenge of a defender and laid off to the overlapping Elgeniy Daalberg, who fired home from seven yards to put Leverstock into a 3-2 lead.

There was still more drama to come, though. A minute before the break, a ball was chipped forward into the Leverstock box. Substitute Brad Robinson got into a spot of confusion with Byfield, and allowed a forward to get in between them to stab the ball home and level the scores at 3-3. Early in the second period Leverstock almost went back in front when Beckwith was through but hit his shot against the bar. There were no further goals in extra time so the tie went to penalties.

Blunden netted Leverstock’s first, while Moura replied for the home side. Carruthers made it 2-1 before Alves levelled at 2-2. Beckwith scored Leverstock’s third, and when Byfield saved from Monti, they had a 3-2 lead. McGleish then made it 4-2, and when Afonso put his kick over the bar it was all over.

Leverstock now have the £1,444 prize money for this round in their pocket, and will now travel to Billericay, relegated last season from National League South, to play in front of a likely 500+ crowd at New Lodge in the First Round Qualifying on 3rd September.

St Panteleimon (1) 3 (Doukhi 28, TBA 62, TBA 114)
1. Diego Pereira, 2. Renzo Alves, 4. Alex Androutsos, 5. Clayton Afonso, 6. Joao Praes (13. Ben Dunkwu 75 mins), 7. Ahmed Doukhi (17. George Androutsos 100 mins), 8. Jonathan Moura, 9. Dean Morgan (16. Emerson Silva 75 mins), 10. Guilherme Monti, 11. Ayub Albadri (18. Courney Massay 81 mins), 12. Felipe Diaz. Subs not used: 3. Brad Gilmaney, 15. Donald Manaj, 20. Marco Gerimia.
Leverstock Green (0) 3 (Pett 88, Carruthers 90+2, Daalberg 101)
1. Austin Byfield, 2. Alvin Kyeremeh, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 18. Luke Durnin (14. Brad Robinson 100 mins), 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Lewis Collins (20. Scott McGleish 81 mins), 8. Dan Pett (15. Kai Stonnell 92 mins), 9. Chris Blunden, 10. Sean Walsh (12. Elgeniy Daalberg 69 mins), 11. Luke Beckwith. Sub not used: GK. Josh Mollison.

 

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(A) Hertford Town

Leverstock Green came away from their visit to second-placed Hertford Town with an excellent point, which was well-deserved after a battling performance in an entertaining game in front of a big crowd.

Both full backs were still injured from last Saturday’s game at Wembley, but Karl Thomas and Ross Adams both did a great job in filling in at right and left-back respectively. There was a return to the club for former under-18 player Luke Preedy, who went straight into the starting line-up.

Leverstock made a good start to the match, creating a chance in the 2nd minute. Thomas got the ball forward to Curtis Donaldson, who turned and shot inside the box but hit the side netting. Ben Andreos had a couple of chances for Hertford in the 14th minute, but was wide with both a scissor kick and header.

There was another chance for Leverstock in the 17th minute as Donaldson hit a shot which Hertford keeper Jayden Purdue couldn’t hold onto. David Lawrence got to the loose ball, but Purdue had recovered and blocked his shot. A clearance from Purdue almost put Tyler Hatherly through on goal in the 26th minute, but Liam Jahn was quickly off his line to get to the ball first and clear, and Jahn also came out of his goal to clear when Brett O’Connor was threatening on 36 minutes.

It was Leverstock who took the lead with 40 minutes played. George Biggadike brought the ball forward and passed to Preedy, who played a great ball to put Donaldson through on goal. Purdue got a hand to Donaldson’s shot, but couldn’t keep it out as Donaldson became the second Leverstock player to hit 20 goals this season.

There was almost a second goal a minute before the break as Jonathan Lacey squared to Tremayne Charles, who hit a quick shot on the turn, but Purdue saved. Instead the scores were levelled in first half stoppage time as Hertford kept pressure on the Green goal following a corner. Andreos nodded the ball down to Phil Lowen on the edge of the box, and Lowen connected with a crisp strike that beat Jahn and sent the sides into the break level at 1-1.

Leverstock continued to impress in the second half, and probably had the better chances to win the game. On 51 minutes another pass from Preedy put Donaldson in again, but he didn’t get enough on his shot to trouble Purdue. On 59 minutes a free kick from Adams went through all the Hertford defenders to leave Thomas with a clear sight of goal, but Purdue produced a great save to keep out Thomas’ shot and another effort from Lacey seconds later. On 66 minutes Donaldson blocked a clearance from Purdue and crossed for Charles, who headed just wide. At the other end Jahn produced a great save to keep out a shot from Dan Ferrigno on 71 minutes.

There was great anticipation amongst the Leverstock followers when a one-two between Lacey and Donaldson put Lacey through on goal, but the Green’s top scorer was just wide with his effort from a narrow angle. Over the closing minutes it was Hertford who had all the pressure in front of a large and noisy home contingent, but the Leverstock defence held their discipline and their resolve to the end and claimed a notable point.

Next up for Leverstock is a visit to Leighton Town on Tuesday night.

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Hertford Town v Wembley

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