Leverstock Green won their first ever away game since promotion to the Southern League, and it was a crucial three points against fellow strugglers Kidlington.

Since their last game, Fergus Moore has added to his squad with three players on loan from Boreham Wood’s academy side, and all three featured tonight, along with John Gyabaah, signed on a dual registration from Colney Heath. Daniel Isaac started at centre back, while Keanu Fleming and Adam Morley came off the bench, the former scoring a superb goal to seal the win.

The home side had the game’s first chance, with Felix Robertson heading over the bar from close range in the 5th minute. In the 12th minute Isaac showed some neat footwork outside the opposition penalty area before putting in a low cross. Guiseppe Delgaudio slid in at the near post but his effort was wide. Four minutes later Callum Neal headed over the bar from a corner.

In the 31st minute Alfie Bonfield pulled off the first of several important saves in a goalmouth scramble following a Kidlington free kick. In first half stoppage time Leverstock threatened on the break as Delgaudio carried the ball from the edge of his own penalty area to deep into opposition territory before laying off to Jamie Breen, whose shot was well saved by home keeper Henry Woodcock.

A tight game was goalless at the break, but five minutes into the second half Leverstock made a breakthrough. Breen went on a solo run from the halfway line before slotting a shot past Woodcock from the edge of the penalty area for a 1-0 lead.

The lead could have been doubled ten minutes later when a great pass from Breen put Nat Connolly through on goal, but Woodcock came off his line to save well. Another good chance was missed in the 64th minute when Breen had a clear shooting chance, but took an extra touch and had his effort blocked. It looked as though those misses might prove costly when Kidlington won a penalty in the 66th minute, a challenge from skipper Dan Pett bringing down Powfil Raposo, who had made a dangerous run into the box. Raposo sent Bonfield the wrong way from the spot to level the scores at 1-1.

Bonfield made another good save in the 70th minute to keep the scores level, before Leverstock started using their substitutes. Isaiah Hilaire replaced Breen in the 70th minute, Fleming came on for Luke Beckwith in the 80th minute and Gyabaah replaced Ademide Baruwa in the 85th minute. Seconds after that last change Leverstock were back in front as Rio Beach capped off a spell of pressure around the Kidlington goal with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area past Woodcock for a 2-1 lead.

It got even better for Leverstock three minutes later as Fleming showed his quality with a mazy run into the box before cracking home a fierce shot off the underside of the bar to make it 3-1.

That proved to be enough for Leverstock to take the win, which moves them above Kidlington on goal difference and will be a great confidence booster for the forthcoming games against high-flying Flackwell Heath and Thame United.

Kidlington (0) 1 (Raposo 66 pen)
1. Henry Woodcock, 2. Samuel Jenkins, 3. Conor Taylor, 4. Zarius Edwards-Giraud, 5. Matthew Gunn, 6. Ben Richards, 7. Nathaniel Opoku (17. Fraser Allen 58 mins), 8. Felix Robertson (12. Latham Hawkins 63 mins), 15. Powfil Raposo, 10. Alex Costa, 11. Charlie Bacon. Subs not used: 14. Bogdan Stolboushkin, 16. Mason Muckelberg, 18. Buster Reed.
Leverstock Green (0) 3 (Breen 50, Beach 85, Fleming 88)
1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Callum Neal, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Pett, 5. Daniel Isaac (14. Oliwier Fusiek 90+4 mins), 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Jamie Breen (17. Isaish Hilaire 73 mins), 8. Ademide Baruwa (15. John Gyabaah 85 mins), 9. Guiseppe Delgaudio, 10. Nat Connolly (18. Adam Morley 90+1 mins), 11. Luke Beckwith (12. Keanu Fleming 80 mins).