Leverstock Green maintained their unbeaten league record as they came away from Stotfold with a well-deserved point from Saturday’s SSML Premier Division fixture. It was a game of few chances, but the Green side had to defend against a strong wind during the second half.

With Chris Blunden unavailable for two weeks, Fergus Moore brought in centre-forward Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica on a dual registration from Egham Town, and he looked impressive on his debut. Leverstock have also lost the services of Luke Beckwith to AFC Dunstable, although still retain his registration, and with George Mitchell-Gears still recovering from illness, it was a completely different front line today to that which started the season.

Apart from a Stotfold header from a corner going over the bar in the opening minute, there was little goalmouth action in the early stages of the game. In the 11th minute Lewis Collins made a purposeful run at goal but didn’t make proper contact with his shot and it was easily gathered by the keeper. The game’s first save came in the 25th minute when Austin Byfield tipped a fierce shot from Codi-Lee Spavins over the bar.

Leverstock had marginally more of the play in an even first half, and they took the lead in the 36th minute. Dan Pett floated in a free kick towards the far post, and Collins came in with a diving header to net his first goal of the season. In the 41st minute Pett tried a cheeky attempt to chip the Stotfold keeper from a free kick, but it didn’t come down in time.

It looked like Leverstock would go into the break ahead, but a controversial penalty in stoppage time changed things. A foul which left Stefanoaica on the ground was not spotted, and he was still down as Stotfold broke away. Leverstock looked to have dealt with the danger until Bobby Armstrong was penalised for a sliding challenge in which the ball appeared to have been won. The penalty was awarded, and Jordan Stevenson sent Byfield the wrong way to level the scores.

The second half was equally short on chances, with Leverstock’s best chance coming in the 68th minute when Alvin Kyeremeh got on the end of a free kick from Ibrahim Nagheeb, but his header went straight into the keeper’s hands. Pett went close again in the 80th minute with a curled shot that went just over the bar.

Stotfold had a couple of decent chances, but couldn’t get the ball on target, and although they were enjoying a sustained spell of pressure towards the end of the game, the Leverstock side continued to defend well and held out for the point.

Stotfold (1) 1 (Stevenson 45+1 pen)
1. Liam Gooch, 2. Sammy Nicholld, 3. Jordan Stewart (12. Aaron Deviney 81 mins), 4. Jack Bradshaw, 5. Brett Longden, 6. Gideon Sarpong, 7. Aaron Hector, 8. Joe Ryan (14. Dev Simms 60 mins), 9. Mason Spence, 10. Jordan Stevenson (15. Jody Bamford 87 mins), 11. Codi-Lee Spavins (17. Jack Woods 87 mins). Sub not used: 16. Scott Piggott.
Leverstock Green (1) 1 (Collins 36)
1. Austin Byfield, 2. Adrian Pitfield, 3. Rio Beach, 18. Bobby Armstrong, 5. Alvin Kyeremeh (20. Scott McGleish 75 mins), 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Lewis Collins, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica, 10. Ibrahim Nagheeb, 11. Ethan Mooney. Subs not used: 12. Elgeniy Daalberg, 14. George Mitchell-Gears, 15. Kai Stonnell, 16. Sean Walsh.