Leverstock Green are still finding their first league win of the season to be elusive as they picked up their fourth draw from seven games in Saturday’s visit to Hertford Town. Leverstock led at half time but suffered from questionable decisions from the match officials in the second half.

The Leverstock squad is now facing life without Carmicheal Uchenna, who has been snapped up by National League side Wealdstone this week, and it was the home side who made the running early on with Kieran Barnes striking the bar with a shot in the 2nd minute, and hitting another shot just wide in the 9th minute. Iker Noguera Leon had a run at goal in the 11th minute but hit his shot high and wide. In the 19th minute Ashton Corder broke away and passed to Leon, who had another effort at goal which was much closer, going just wide.

Leverstock keeper Ryan North produced the first of several great saves in the 34th minute to keep out a Ben Herd free kick, and again in the 39th minute to turn away a shot when Olu Quadri broke away down the right. However, it was Leverstock that opened the scoring a minute before half time, as Ademide Baruwa’s pass set up Leon to slot a shot under the body of former Leverstock keeper Josh Bowler.

Leon went close to a second goal in the 51st minute as he attempted to chip Bowler from near the halfway line, but it landed just wide of the goal. However, things were soon to turn sour for Leon. A minute later he was cautioned for an off-the-ball incident in a clear case of mistaken identity, as he was nowhere near the incident. As Leon continued to protest his innocence, the Leverstock bench attempted to substitute him with Joe McCarthy, but with McCarthy on the field, the referee consulted his assistant and then decided to show Leon a second yellow card and cancel the substitution, meaning that Leverstock were down to ten men.

McCarthy eventually came onto the pitch in the 63rd minute to replace Corder, and three minutes later he was through on goal and onside, but elected to square the ball for Baruwa, who had a much better chance, but as Baruwa put the ball in the net he was flagged for offside, despite having likely been behind the ball when McCarthy passed.

Instead of being two goals up, they were brought back on level terms in the 69th minute. Another free kick was given away just outside the box, and this time Hertford player/manager Herd curled his free kick beyond the reach of North for the equaliser.

Leverstock’s ten men were somewhat under the cosh for the remainder of the game, but North produced two great saves in the 71st and 72nd minute, and Hertford had a couple of good chances from close-range headers but both were off-target as the Green side held out for the point, which was the least they deserved from the match.

Hertford Town (0) 1 (Herd 69)
1. Josh Bowler, 2. Albert McGregor, 3. Jesus Mendoza, 4. Kieran Barnes, 5. Harry Watson (15. Fraser Findlay 75 mins), 6. Ben Herd, 7. Ayo Quadri (17. Shay Taylor-Darcheville 64 mins), 8. George Kingham (12. Lawrence Ajong 63 mins), 9. Patrick Matejko, 10. Kye Tearle, 11. Marcus Painter (16. Abdi Mohamud 76 mins). Sub not used: 14. Harry Chetwood.
Leverstock Green (1) 1 (Leon 44)
1. Ryan North, 2. Callum Neal, 3. Vladyslav Karuchok, 4. George Mitchell-Gears, 5. Kombe Kawimbe, 6. Ryan Carruthers (14. Enoch Folorunsho 90+2 mins), 7. Ademide Baruwa, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Ashton Corder (15. Joe McCarthy 63 mins), 10. Nat Connolly (16. Marcus Warren 58 mins), 11. Iker Noguera Leon. Subs not used: 12. Timi Bada, 19. Jack Allen.

Postscript: After an appeal and a review by the FA, Iker Noguera Leon’s initial yellow card was rescinded and given instead to Ashton Corder, meaning that Leon’s red card was rescinded.

Leverstock Green’s run of draws came to an end, but it was with a defeat as they went down 3-1 at Hertford Town on Tuesday night, their second visit to Hertford’s ground in four days. Leverstock matched their opponents all the way, but did not get the rub of the green or of the refereeing decisions.

Leverstock made a good start to the game, and went close in the 9th minute when a shot from Ryan Carruthers was deflected just wide. However, it was the home side that took the lead in the 13th minute as Billy Heaps struck direct from a free kick just outside the box. Tommy Boxer received a yellow card for the challenge that led to the free kick.

The game became scrappy after that, but Leverstock were back on level terms before the break. Marcus Warren made a run into the box and hit a shot that was blocked, but Jeffrey Sekyere netted the rebound for his 8th goal of the season.

Ten minutes into the second half there was action at both ends, as firstly Noah Mosanya hit the post from close range for Hertford, then at the other end Warren’s pass put Joe McCarthy through but his shot was blocked.

Hertford were awarded another free kick in a dangerous position in the 60th minute, and again it proved costly for Leverstock as Ben Herd curled a shot over the wall which Harry Way got a hand to but couldn’t keep out, putting the home side back in front a 2-1.

Carruthers went close again for Leverstock in the 69th minute with a long-range shot that went just wide. Three minutes later there was a controversial moment as Leverstock looked to have a clear shout for a penalty as Iker Noguera Leon was brought down in the box, but the referee gave nothing.

In the 82nd minute Carruthers pulled back a dangerous ball in the box, but both Sekyere and Leon had their shots blocked. Two minutes later a cross from Leon found Jack Allen at the far post, but he couldn’t get his effort on target, and Carruthers had another effort which went over the bar in the 86th minute as Leverstock looked to be finishing the game strongly.

However, in the 90th minute the game was put out of their reach as Billy Mardell-Smith struck a shot from distance into the top corner of the net for a third Hertford goal. In the aftermath of the goal, Boxer was shown a second yellow card for words said. Leverstock’s ten men continued to push over a long period of stoppage time, with Sekyere hitting the bar with a shot, but it was not to be their night.

Hertford Town (1) 3 (Heaps 13, Herd 60, Mardell-Smith 90)
1. James Callan, 2. Albert Mcgregor, 3. Isaac Evans, 4. Nader Zeddini, 5. Joe Nardelli, 6. Ben Herd, 7. Jesus Mendoza (16. Baylin Johnson 54 mins), 8. Billy Mardell-Smith, 9. Noah Mosanya, 10. Billy Heaps (17. Finley Lynch 65 mins), 11. Marcus Painter (14. Zen Cunningham 85 mins). Subs not used: 12. Lene Burden, 15. Fraser Findlay.
Leverstock Green (1) 1 (Sekyere 40)
1. Harry Way, 2. Thomas Georgiou, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Josh Dooley, 20. Tommy Boxer, 6. Nat Connolly (14. Dan Casey H/T), 7. Joe McCarthy (15. Iker Noguera Leon 66 mins), 8. Ryan Carruthers, 9. Jeffrey Sekyere, 10. Marcus Warren (17. Juan Pablo Velasco 63 mins), 11. Aldo Petagine (18. Jack Allen 77 mins). Sub not used: 16. Callum Neal.

Leverstock Green were once again denied their third league win of the season by a late equaliser as they drew their fifth straight game. The Leverstock side, which had been down to ten men since early in the second half, were just two minutes of stoppage time away from claiming the win when home side Enfield scored their equaliser.

Enfield had the better of the early exchanges, with some dangerous moments in and around the box, but it was Leverstock that had the game’s first real chance to break the deadlock in the 33rd minute. Joe McCarthy won the ball off a defender and went clean through on goal, but with only keeper George Edgeworth to beat, McCarthy miscued his shot and it went agonisingly wide. More pressure from the Leverstock forward line created another chance five minutes later as Jeffrey Sekyere got to the bye-line and pulled the ball back to set up Juan Pablo Velasco, but his shot was blocked.

Leverstock made a strong start to the second half, with Iker Noguera Leon setting up a chance for Rio Beach, but his effort was blocked by Edgeworth. However, in the 49th minute disaster struck as Leverstock gave the ball away on the edge of the opposition box. They were immediately caught on the break, and Umaro Kabia was clean through on goal until being brought down by a tackle from Beach. There was no doubt what would happen next as the referee brought out a straight red card for Beach and Leverstock were down to ten men. They had to sacrifice one of their forwards as Leon came off so that Aldo Petagine could take Beach’s place at left back.

A second subtitution in the 68th minute saw the introduction of striker Jack Allen, who joined from Harrow Borough this week for his second spell at the club. Allen could have marked his return with a goal in the 76th minute as he was clean through but again a good chance was missed as his shot went wide. However, a minute later Allen went on a run down the left and threaded a pass for another substitute Marcus Warren, who was immediately barged over inside the box. It was another easy decision for the referee to point to the penalty spot. Sekyere stepped up to take the kick and slotted it past Edgeworth to put Leverstock into a 1-0 lead.

Enfield could have equalised in the 80th minute but Harry Way pulled off a great close-range save to keep out a shot from Stan Valentine. Leverstock went close to a second goal in the 85th minute when Sekyere was through on goal, but from a narrow angle his shot went inches wide of the post. Eight minutes of stoppage time were signalled by the referee, and in the second of those Sekyere was through again and his ball across goal hit a defender and would have gone in for an own goal but for a superb save from Edgeworth.

It looked as though Leverstock were going to hold out for the much-needed win, but in the sixth minute of stoppage time Leverstock were unable to prevent a ball being pulled back from the bye-line, and it was met by Freddy Moncur with an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net, and Leverstock once again had to settle for the draw.

Enfield (0) 1 (Moncur 90+6)
1. George Edgeworth, 2. Stan Valentine, 4. Jack Taylor (17. Lewis Croucher 87 mins), 5. Matthew Hurley (7. Joni Vukaj 65 mins), 6. Callum Taylor, 8. Nathan Brathwaite, 10. Umaru Kabia, 12. George Sykes, 18. Alexander Penn (14. James Bone 65 mins), 19. Can Arioglu (16. Freddy Moncur 80 mins), 20. Bradley McClenaghan (3. Luke Clark 65 mins).
Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Sekyere 78 pen)
1. Harry Way, 2. Callum Neal, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Josh Dooley, 5. Thomas Georgiou, 6. Nat Connolly, 7. Joe McCarthy (19. Jack Allen 68 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Jeffrey Sekyere (20. Tommy Boxer 90+4 mins), 10. Juan Pablo Velasco (16. Marcus Warren 70 mins), 11. Iker Noguera Leon (15. Aldo Petagine 52 mins). Sub not used: 14. Ryan Carruthers.

 

Leverstock Green are still alive after a superb win at Hertford Town on Good Friday evening. After Kings Langley’s draw against Berkhamsted earlier in the day, this result means that Leverstock’s fate is in their own hands, with two games left to secure Southern League survival.

Dan Pett had Leverstock’s first attempt on goal with a long-range effort just over the bar in the 12th minute. Two minutes later Ryan North produced a spectacular save to tip over a shot from Daniel Kemp from close range, and followed it up a minute later, turning a shot from Marcus Painter round the post.

The game-changing moment came in the 23rd minute. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica received a pass from Rawn Seale and turned a defender to go through on goal, before being pulled down just outside the box by Ben Herd. Hertford’s player-manager received a straight red card to reduce his side to ten men. Dan Pett took the resulting free kick, which was well-struck and on target, but keeper James Callan turned it round the post.

Leverstock’s crucial goal came in the 28th minute. Rawn Seale received a pass from Aaron Burton and produced a cool finish to slot the ball past Callan from six yards and put his side into the lead. There were chances late in the half for Stefanoaica and Jeffrey Sekyere, but neither could keep their headers on target.

Ten minutes into the second half Leverstock faced a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the box, but were fortunate when Ryan Bernal’s effort struck the post and went wide. Leverstock might have added to their lead in the 66th minute when great work from Callum Neal set up a chance for Sekyere, but he couldn’t keep his first-time shot under the bar.

Other than that there was little goalmouth action in a very tense half, and Leverstock were able to hang onto their lead for a precious three points which takes their fight on to Monday’s home game against Stotfold.

Hertford Town (0) 0
1. James Callan, 2. Ryan Bernal, 3. Liam Crutchett, 4. Albert McGregor (16. Brian Garzon 88 mins), 5. Joe Nardelli (12. Finley Lynch 90+4 mins), 6. Ben Herd, 7. Daniel Kemp (17. Wilson Bernal 71 mins), 8. Billy Mardell-Smith, 9. George Devine (15. Ade Gbolahan 62 mins), 10. Louie Carr (14. Jedediah Brown-Johnson 24 mins), 11. Marcus Painter.
Leverstock Green (1) 1 (Seale 28)
1. Ryan North, 2. Callum Neal, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Aaron Burton, 6. Nat Connolly (14. Ryan Carruthers 71 mins), 7. Rawn Seale, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Jeffrey Sekyere (18. Ethan Mooney 78 mins), 10. Marcus Warren, 11, Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica (12. Luke Beckwith H/T). Subs not used: 15. Josh Dooley, 17. Joe McCarthy.

 

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.