WE EXIT CUP AFTER PENALTY SHOOT OUT

This was the 82nd meeting between ourselves and our close rivals and friends Leverstock Green although the last time we met was on 27 April 2024 when they came away from Tring with a 1-0 win in the St Marys Cup. Later that season they won promotion to the Southern League (Division 1 Central) which is a step higher than the level we play at.

Our hosts came into the game on a god run of form with just one defeat in their previous 5 games and they showed us some respect by fielding a strong side so we knew this would be a tough encounter.

With a big match coming up on Saturday at a reformed Dunstable F C Ryan and his coaching team decided to make some changes to the line up and it took a little while for us to settle down.

The game was played at a cracking pace and our hosts looked dangerous going forward and they forced a couple of good saves from Jake Alley and they hit the post in the 35th minute. We defended well and played some nice football but didn’t create too many chances. Our best effort came mid-way through the half when Blake Argent’s shot forced a good save from Levy Keeper Ryan North.

We thought we had weathered the storm as the half came to a conclusion but in the 45th minute we failed to clear a long throw and Jack Allen volleyed the ball into the net at the far post. HT Score 1-0.

We started the second half well and young Jack Stone, making his first start, slipped a lovely pass out to Harry Shepherd who shot just wide of the far post. Just past the hour mark we emptied the subs bench and took the game to our opponents and were rewarded in the 83rd minute with a deserved equaliser.

A free kick from Max was picked up by Eli Hearn on the other wing who then evaded a challenge and whipped in a super cross to the far post where Frankie was on hand to knock the ball back across goal for Caden Barber to level the scores from close range. Score 1-1.

There were no more goals and the game went to penalties which Levy won 4-2. FT 1-1 (Pens 4-2).

It brought to an end our superb run of 7 victories on the trot but gave us an insight of what to expect at the next level of the football pyramid. Levy will face either Hadley or Berkhamsted at home in the next round and we wish all the best for that game and for the rest of the season.

TEAM
TA: Jake Alley, Caden Barber, Jack Harvey (Capt) (George Devine 67), Blake Argent (Eli Hearn 81), Harry Jones (Max Hercules 66), Jimmy Doherty, Dylan Fitzpatrick (Luke Peerless 66), Mason Clarke, Harry Shepherd (Frankie Hercules 66), Michael Olulode, Jack Stone.

Scorers:

LG: Jack Allen (45)

TA: Caden Barber (83)

Crowd: ?