Leverstock Green FC kicked off their first ever match at Step Four, and they made a good start as they took an early lead, but visitors Welwyn Garden City came back to take all three points despite being reduced to ten men before half time.

The visitors had the game’s first chance in the 12th minute from a corner, but Aiden Read’s header was headed off the line by Nat Connolly. Welwyn went close again in the 16th minute when a shot from Bailey Stevenson brought a good save from Alfie Bonfield. However, it was Leverstock who took the lead a minute later against the run of play. Leverstock broke away with Rawn Seale having a run at goal, and although Seale’s run was stopped by a defender, Ademide Baruwa won the ball back and beat a defender before slotting the ball neatly past keeper Donnabhan Green.

In the 29th minute Stevenson was denied again as his volley brought another great save from Bonfield. Six minutes later Leverstock were threatening again on the break as a pass from Luke Beckwith put Stefanoaica through on goal, but he couldn’t quite get full contact on his shot and it was gathered by Green. Five minutes before half time the visitors levelled the game as a free kick from Lewis Croucher found former Leverstock player Brad Wadkins at the far post, and Wadkins’ header was out of Bonfield’s reach and went in just inside the post.

There was drama in the last minute of the half as a loose ball from Ryan Kirwan put Rawn Seale through on goal, only to be stopped by a foul challenge from behind by Aiden Read. With Read being the last man, it was an easy decision for the referee to show Read a straight red card, and the visitors were reduced to ten men.

Leverstock Green FC were unable to take advantage of the extra man in the second half though, as is often the case the visitors seemed to play better with ten men. Stevenson should have put his side in front in the 47th minute, but shot over the bar from close range. Two minutes later a free kick from Dan Pett found the head of Callum Neal, but the header was just off-target.

The game could have gone either way at this point, but a crucial second goal for Welwyn in the 58th minute put them in control. Stevenson hit a thunderous shot from the edge of the box that gave Bonfield no chance for a 2-1 lead.

Beckwith twice went close to getting his side back in the game, firstly in the 63rd minute when his deflected shot was saved by Green, and again two minutes later when Seale set him up with a chance, but his shot was straight at Green. Substitute Guiseppe Delgaudio was through on goal in the 70th minute, but again his shot didn’t really test Green.

Wadkins came close to adding a third goal for Welwyn in the 78th minute, but his shot went just wide. The third goal eventually came in the 87th minute, and it was another shot from the edge of the box by Stevenson which took a deflection and looped up over Bonfield.

Despite putting some pressure on the visitors’ goal over the closing minutes, Leverstock Green FC were unable to get back into the game, with Pett coming closest deep into stoppage time with a shot that skimmed the side netting.

Leverstock Green FC (1) 1 (Baruwa 17)
1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Callum Neal, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Josh Dooley, 18. Eyituoyo Akinbulumo, 6. Ademide Baruwa, 7. Luke Beckwith (15. Lewis Collins 78 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Nat Connolly (16. Guiseppe Delgaudio 69 mins), 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica (17. Ethan Mooney 74 mins). Subs not used: 12. Jamie Breen, 14. Ryan Carruthers.

Welwyn Garden City FC (1) 3 (Wadkins 40, Stevenson 58, 87)
1. Donnabhan Green, 2. Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo, 3. Josh Bryant, 4. Alex Harris, 5. Aiden Read, 6. Ryan Kirwan, 7. Charlie McDonald, 8. Lewis Croucher (16. Ryan Ansell 83 mins), 9. Bailey Stevenaon, 10. Lucas Jordan (14. Henry Jones 72 mins), 11. Brad Wadkins. Subs not used: 12. Harold Poku, 15. Matty Whichelow, 17. Marc Weatherstone.