It was an Emirates FA Cup classic at the Lords Builders Merchants Stadium as Leverstock Green FC scored two late goals to win an eight-goal thriller against Essex Senior League side White Ensign. Leverstock’s strike partnership of Chris Blunden and Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica were in top form, scoring all five goals between them in this Extra Preliminary Round tie.

With regular keeper Austin Byfield still away and backup keeper Loris Marcimain unavailable, Fergus Moore drafted in former Edgware Town keeper Greg Marsh. The visitors were the first to go close with only a minute played as Robbie Farrell struck the post with a shot from the edge of the box. In the 13th minute White Ensign thought they had a penalty when Marsh appeared to bring down Farrell just inside the box, but after consulting his assistant, the referee awarded a free kick just oustide the box, which was defended well.

White Ensign had been the better side for the opening 15 minutes, but Leverstock Green FC opened the scoring in the 16th minute with their first real attack of the game. A defensive slip allowed Stefanoaica to run clear down the right and square the ball for Blunden to shoot home from the edge of the  six-yard box. Four minutes later the lead was doubled. Nat Connolly curled in a free kick from the left edge of the penalty area which was headed away, but only as far as Stefanoaica, who took a couple of touches before blasting a shot which flew into the net despite the efforts of defender Ben Sargent to clear it off the line.

The visitors had a chance to pull a goal back in the 28th minute as Farrell was through on goal, but Marsh produced a good save to turn the shot round the post. The resulting corner was not cleared, though, and a second cross was headed home at the near post by Nathan Wilson to reduce the arrears to 2-1.

There was a lengthy period of stoppage time at the end of the half due to an injury to Ryan Carruthers requiring treatment. There was another good chance for Leverstock when a pass from Blunden put Stefanoaica through, but Ensign keeper Harry Fairs saved well, and Carruthers headed wide from the resulting corner. At the other end Marsh saved a diving header from Archie McFadden. In the 7th minute of stoppage time Rio Beach produced a bit of magic, going on a dazzling run into the box before pulling the ball back for Blunden to shoot home his second and send Leverstock Green FC into the break with a 3-1 lead.

The game was still very much in the balance, though. Ensign brought on substitute Billy Bonham-Dare at half time, and three minutes into the half Bonham-Dare received the ball with his back to goal before turning and shooting past Marsh to pull it back to 3-2.

Stefanoaica showed his pace again in the 58th minute, going on another run at goal but being denied by Fairs. On 71 minutes Stefanoaica got in behind the last defender and headed for goal again, this time squaring for Luke Beckwith, whose shot brought a great save out of Fairs.

Going into the last ten minutes Leverstock still held their slender lead, but it was back all square at 3-3 in the 81st minute as Robbie Allen ran into the box and beat Marsh at his near post with a shot from a narrow angle. That left Leverstock facing the prospect of a Wednesday night trip to Great Wakering, but there were still more goals to come. In the 86th minute Leverstock lauched a quick counter-attack. A pass from George Mitchell-Gears gave Stefanoaica another run at goal, and his square pass across the six-yard box found Blunden, who controlled it and shot home to complete his hat-trick and put Leverstock Green FC back in front.

The visitors had to throw caution to the wind in search of an equaliser, which left them vulnerable to a quick break, and that is what happened in the third minute of stoppage time. A pass from Mikey Havill-Tierney put Stefanoaica through again, and this time he went alone, sidestepping Fairs to seal the tie with his second and Leverstock’s fifth goal.

Despite Blunden’s hat-trick, it was Stefanoaica’s two goals and two assists that earned him a man of the match nomination. There was also a notable moment in stoppage time as Joe Sadler came off the bench to make his FA Cup debut at the age of 16. Leverstock Green FC will now travel to Isthmian League North Division side Walthamstow in the Preliminary Round in two weeks time.

Leverstock Green FC (3) 5 (Blunden 16. 45+7, 86, Stefanoaica 20, 90+3)
1. Greg Marsh, 2. Mikey Havill-Tierney (15. Brad Robinson 90+6 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 4. Callum Neal, 5. Dan Weeks, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Luke Beckwith (12. George Mitchell-Gears 78 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. Nat Connolly (16. Joe Sadler 90+4 mins), 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica. Subs not used: 14. Ryan Hennessy, 17. Danny May, GK. Darren Bonfield.
White Ensign FC (1) 3 (Wilson 29, Bonham-Dare 48, Allen 81)
1. Harry Fairs, 2. Ben Sargent, 3. Albert Galbally, 4. Archie McFadden, 5. Mitchell Stuart-Evans, 6. Nathan Wilson, 7. Kyle McAlindon (14. Ethan Evison 43 mins), 8. Joe Hunter, 9. Robbie Allen, 11. Billy Hutchison (17. Billy Bonham-Dare 48 mins), 19. Robbie Farrell (16. Mekhi Hyde 73 mins). Subs not used: 12. Callum Farris, 15. Callum Merenda, 10. Joe Gregory, 18. Denzel Adebiyi.

Our next FA CupXP Round match is on Saturday 19th August 2023 AWAY to Walthamstow FC, 3pm.