SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLAND PREMIER DIVISION
Tuesday 10th October 2017

Leverstock Green FC (1) 2 Tring Athletic (0) 1


Athletics poor league form continues following last nights defeat against local rivals Leverstock Green. A win was vital for either side as they were both languishing in the bottom five of the league before the game.

Athletic succumbed to yet another set piece as early as the 10th minute when Shane Wood, completely unchallenged, headed powerfully into an unguarded net from a corner.
The home side should have scored again shortly after, when again from a set piece the ball flew across the goal just eluding an incoming player. Levy were dominating play and Athletic were conceding far too many free kicks within dangerous areas.
Levys Matt Bateman should have scored in the 30th minute having been played through but his shot went wide. Athletic were finding it difficult to create any sustained periods of possession and opportunities. Keeper Jack Hopwood came to Athletics rescue in the 39th minute,Ross Adams was through on goal but the keeper managed to claw the ball away from the strikers feet.

Half Time. Leverstock Green 1 TAFC 0

Athletic kicking down the slope began the second half with more urgency, Chris Vardys header from a free kick eluded everyone, but the ball hit the post before being scrambled away by some desperate defending. Following this early pressure Levy increased their lead in the 64th minute. Chris Gosling firing into an open goal after some good build up play. Athletic then created an opportunity but the square ball from Chris Vardy was cleared. Chris Blunden then had a shot well saved by keeper Reuben Rabstein and Chris Vardy sent a shot just wide in the 78th minute.
With just 5 minutes left Chris Blunden scored. The urgency and flow of the build up play for the goal was excellent and following the goal Athletic put the home side under a lot of pressure, after 4 minutes of added time the referee blew for full time.

A disappointing result for Athletic who are going through one of those patches where things are not going for you, hopefully this will soon change. This Saturday Athletic are at home to Leighton Town.

Leverstock Green.Reubin Rabstein,Luke Nugent,Chinua Cole(Liam McCrohan 75),Shane Wood(c),Scott Bonner,Roy Byron(Sam Nair 60),Ross Adams(Reynaldo Carbon 69),Chris Gosling,David Lawrence,Chris Marsh,Matt Bateman.

TAFC Jack Hopwood,Tommy Twelves,Lewis Smith(Dan Steadman 61),Mark Riddick,Ben Johnson,Paolo Bagatti(Max Hercules 73),Ryan Sturges(George Carbery 77),Sam Joliffe,Chris Vardy,Chris Blunden,Luke Dunstan.
Goal Scorers-
Leverstock Green
Shane Wood 10mins, Chris Gosling 64 mins .
Tring Athletic-
Chris Blunden 85 mins

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