Leverstock Green FC Programme vs London Colney

Welcome to Pancake Lane

Today we welcome London Colney Players, Officials and Supporters to the LORDS Builders Stadium for SSML Premier Division Cup 1st Round game. We hope you have an enjoyable afternoon.

We also welcome our match officials Referee Joanne Horwood and her assistants Peter Parkins and Neil Jenkins.

You are welcome to use the clubs bar and tea bar before, halftime and after today’s game. You will be well look after by Sue and Michelle and our catering staff, Ioana and Nigel.

On the gate Tony and Keith will give guidance for car parking and selling 50/50 tickets. The entrance fee us £8 and £4 for concessions.

Peter Fraser sponsors todays match. We thank Peter for his sponsorship.

Please use the car parking provided inside the ground, as this will avoid any unnecessary disruption to our neighbours. If you have left your car on ANY of the adjoining roads please pop outside and bring your car in, the car parking is free.

Please follow any instructions or requests made by the club for your safety and enjoyment. The Club Management also reserves the right to refuse admission to the ground to, or to eject from the ground, any person who refuses to be searched by any steward, servant or agent of the Club or any Police officer.

The Club management accepts no responsibility for injury or loss of property. Fixtures, results and league tables are shown within the programme or visit our web site http://levgreenfc.co.uk

Thank you for your co-operation https://lordsbm.co.uk

LGFC Club Information

Officers

President Jamie Herd Chairman – Emma Smart

Vice Chairman – Tony Smart General Club Secretary Dean Bradford Treasurer – Tony Smart

General Committee

William Dawes, Keith Pym, Alan Brett, Scott Isaacs, Pete Jerram, Steve Ypey, Roger Lipscombe

Match Day Secretary 1st Team - Alan Lee Match Day Secretary SCFYL Under 18 – Alan Lee Match Day Secretary EJA Under15 Dean Bradford Membership: Dean Bradford Tony Smart - Clubhouse Manager Club Welfare Officer/Charter Standard Scott Isaacs

Media Officer/Website – Alan Lee Programme Editor Tony Smart Accountants – Coyle & Co

Honorary Life Vice Presidents

Mr. J Baldry, Mr. B Barter, Mr. C Bull, Mr. W Dawes, Mr. J Doble, Mr. S Robinson, Mr. R Saville, Mr. A Smart, Mr. P Taylor, Mr. J Williams, Mr. M Goodson, Mr. .J Lawes Web: http://levgreenfc.co.uk Twitter: @levgreenfc

London Colney FC History

The London Colney Football Club was formed in 1907, playing at Whitehorse Lane until moving to its present ground at Cotlandswick, London Colney in 1976. The Club played in the Mid Herts League until the mid fifties, when it joined the Herts County League. The Club has enjoyed many successes over the years with the 1st team winning the Premier Division League 3 times between 1986 and 1990, and the reserves winning the Reserve Division 4 times between 1987 and 1992.

In 1992 the Club moved to the South Midlands League where in the first season the 1st Team became runners up in the Senior Division and the Reserves won the Division 1 Reserves section. Further successes came between 1993 and 1998 with the 1st Team winning The O, Brian Butcher Challenge Cup, The Herts Charity Shield, The Herts Centenary Trophy, The Premier Division Cup, and gaining promotion to the Premier Division. The Reserves also did well during this time and in 1998 won The Reserves Challenge Trophy.

In the 1998/99 season, the South Midlands League amalgamated with the Spartan League to form the Minerva Spartan South Midlands League and London Colney finished 3rd in the Premier Division. The Blue Boys had the title within their grasp after a brilliant 11 match winning streak between October and December and they remained in the top two throughout the final weeks of the season only to be piped at the post on the final day of the season by Barkingside and Potters Bar Town. This disappointment was eased a few days later when they beat Hoddesdon Town 1 0 to win the Herts Charity Shield. The Reserves had a brilliant season winning the Reserve League and the reserved cup comfortably. This was also the year that The Spartan South Midlands League Management committee made first Team Manager Mick Wright Manager of the Year for the 1998/99 season.

The 1999/2000 season saw Malcolm Doctor join Mick Wright as a joint manager of the 1st Team. They were finalists in both the Challenge Trophy and the Premier Division Cup only being beaten in penalty shoot outs in both matches. This year London Colney was once again a competitor in the FA Vase and reached the last sixteen losing 4 3 to Eccles Hill United who travelled from Yorkshire for the match.

The 2000/2001 season saw the 1st Team finishing runners up in the League. The reserves finished a creditable 6th in the reserve division. In the 2001/2002 season, London Colney saw its greatest successes yet with the 1st Team winning the League with a ten-point difference as the highest in the league's history. We lost only two games; scored a massive 119 goals; had a goal difference of 87 after going unbeaten for the first 27 league games. We went top after just three games and maintained domination apart from a few days in December, won 28 of our 38 games, and provided the leagues leading scorer through Gary Sippetts who bagged an incredible 45 strikes. London Colney were also runners up in the Herts Senior Trophy, the only team in the league to ever reach that position, only narrowly losing to Borehamwood 3 2 in a very hard fought match. We also won the Challenge Trophy and were semi-finalists in the Premier Division Cup. These achievements were rewarded with our Managers, Malcolm Doctor and Mick Wright being awarded the Managers of the Year Trophy.

The 2002/03 season what a difference a year makes whilst not expecting the same successes as the previous season the loss of many of our players to other clubs meant a disastrous start to the season. We then lost Malcolm Doctor who resigned early in the season. However thanks to John Templeton stepping into the breach to join Mick we managed to finish the season a creditable 6th in the league. Our reserves were an academy side and whilst their footballing skills were undisputed and they won the league and were finalists in the reserved cup, they contributed little to the well being and spirit of London Colney Football Club.

2003/04 season saw several of our players returning to the club and with an optimistic outlook and a great deal of enthusiasm. The first team management remained the same with Mick Wright and John Templeton at the helm. The reserves have reverted to a normal club side with Ray Flanagan and Alan Connell in charge. The first team finished 6th in the league and were finalists in the Challenge Trophy losing to Brook House on penalties after extra time. The reserves finished in the bottom half of the reserve division, which was commendable as it was the first season with Ray and Alan in charge.

2004/05 saw Mick Wright stepping down as Manager leaving John Templeton in sole charge. After a very good start, when we won 7 league games in a row, we seemed to lose our way and finished a disappointing 11th in the league. However, we faired better in the Challenge Trophy and were finalists but were well beaten by Hillingdon Borough 4 1 on the night. The Reserves finished in the lower half of the table in the Reserve Division

2005/06 season saw a new Management Team of Nigel Tester, Kevin Bland, and Vince Buck without much success with the 1st Team finishing 14th in the league but having a good FA Vase Cup run. The reserves finished third under the management of Mark Tyrell and Gary Barber.

2006/2007 We started the season with a new management team but it was decided that for the long term good of the club we would have to part company with the new manager before the end of the season. The 1st team finished mid-table and had an early exit in all major cup competitions. In contrast, the Reserves, under the guidance of Manager Mark Tyrrell, had a brilliant season by winning the league on the last game of the season and also winning the Reserve Challenge Cup beating WGC Reserves from a division above. They were also the losing finalists in the Herts Intermediate Cup.

2007/2008 London Colney FC Centenary Year. Saw the club relegated from the Premier League for the first time we now start the next century of the club trying to get back to Premier SSMFL Premier status.

2008/2009 saw additional committee members joining a new management team of Julian Robinson as Manager with Frank Patrick as his assistant with most of the young squad retained with a couple of new faces to begin the season in Division One and begin a period of stability with steady consolidation of a club that had shared near past of turmoil with near extinction a possibility.

2009/10 After what seemed an endless season due to fixture congestion and the weather being so inclement the club had a tremendous campaign, albeit after the disappointment of losing out by 1 point for one of the promotion places leaving everyone at the club deflated for a while until we reflected on two cup final victories and one losing 9-10 on pens in the other. The first team with a third-place finish in the MSSML Div One good cup runs in the FA and Vase competitions, the reserves having a tremendous season finishing second in Div Two, The A team won the Bingham Cup and finished runners up in the other cup final and finally the U18’s winning the league and cup double.

2010/11 A management team of Dave Townsend and Frank Patrick were quickly invited into the hot seat following the departure of Julian Robinson to Tring Athletic to try and stabilize the club once more and push for honours, following early disappointing results the team was unable to reach the promotion spots to remain in the division although a Hertfordshire Charity Shield Final saw the Blueboys lose against Premier side Leverstock Green.

2011/12 Following the disappointment of staying in Division One a new management team of Ryan Thompson, Chris Day, and Tony Kavanagh were brought in to bring fresh impetus into the club after Dave Townsend stepped down to become a reserve team manager due to his heavy work commitments together with his impending marriage. The season went from strength to strength with promotion to the premier division gained by a record 15 points with top scorer Matty Newman hitting the 50 goal mark over all competitions, with the young reserve side finishing a creditable mid table.

Season 2012/13 saw the side finish 7th in the Spartan Midlands League Premier Division consolidating the improvement under Ryan Thompson's guidance this after a season of unprecedented injuries leaving the squad sadly depleted of up to 10 first team players for most of the season.

Season 2013/14 Saw the side again finish 7th in the Spartan Midlands League Premier Division in what would be Ryan Thompsons last season as manager. After a slow start, the team had a good middle and end to the campaign climbing up the table in the process. Matt Newman also departed scoring 32 goals in his final season with the Blueboys, backed up well by Martin Collins with 17 goals.

Season 2014/15 had seen the start of a new era with Jim Nicholls and his coaching staff at the helm. However, due to work commitments, Jim became Chairman and Ryan Thompson came back as first team manager. The club went on a remarkable unbeaten streak during the second half of the season, narrowly missing out on the title by finishing second to Kings Langley.

Season 2016/17 saw the club bring in Joe Sweeney and his team from Chesham. An excellent start to the season meant that the Blueboys went straight to the top of the table, and remained there until the end of the season becoming the Spartan Premier Division champions. The Reserve team also won the Suburban league table to make it a double to remember. The powers that be decided to refuse promotion to the Ryman’s League Division 1 which meant 2nd place Hertford Town gained promotion instead. Manager Joe Sweeney and almost all the promotion-winning squad left the club after this decision for pastures new. The board also decided they no longer wanted to carry on running the club so unless a new board could be found quickly the club would fold with immediate effect.

Season 2017/18 saw a new consortium headed up by Chairman Gareth Davies along with former Peterborough, Watford and Birmingham centre forward Ken Charlery agreeing to become the new custodians of the club which was perilously close to folding. The season started brightly with the Blueboys top of the league after the first 6 games which were a remarkable achievement considering the club had no players with less than 4 weeks to go until the season started. With a very young inexperienced squad (no less than nine under 19s) the early pace could not be maintained and the club finished the season in 13th place while also reaching the semi-final of the League cup before going out to Risborough Rangers.

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Alan Lee Reporting

FA Cup 1st Round Qualifying Billericay Town 4 Leverstock Green 1

Saturday 3rd September 2022

Leverstock Green’s FA Cup adventure is over after defeat at Isthmian League Premier Division side Billericay Town, but the Green side can be very proud of their efforts this afternoon having given a very good account of themselves, and they even led the game at one point, albeit briefly.

Billericay could have been two goals up inside the opening five minutes. In the second minute Chris Dickson had a chance inside the six yard box but slipped the ball wide of the target. In the 5th minute Toby Stevenson broke down the right and squared into the box for Anthony Jeffrey, who had the goal at his mercy but his shot hit the bar. Leverstock began to grow into the game and had their first effort in the 9th minute as Dan Pett hit a shot which home keeper Harry Seaden failed to hold onto, but recovered to claim the ball just before Lewis Collins could get to it.

Manager Fergus Moore gambled on the fitness of defender Luke Durnin, but Durnin only lasted until the 11th minute before he had to be replaced by Brad Robinson in a reshaped back four. Collins had an effort on goal in the 20th minute which was gathered by Seaden, and two minutes later a nice move ended with a shot from Chris Blunden that was blocked by a defender. A minute later there was almost a chance at the other end as a back pass from Alvin Kyeremeh came up short, but Josh Mollison raced out of his goal to clear before a forward could intercept. Mollison saved again in the 26th minute, keeping out a shot from John Ufuah with his legs. In the 37th minute a free kick from Dan Pett was headed away, but only as far as Ibrahim Nagheeb, who shot wide. Half time was reached with a highly competitive game still goalless.

The second half was less than two minutes old when Leverstock found themselves with a chance to take a sensational lead. Collins fed the ball out wide to Ethan Mooney, whose cross struck the arm of Stephenson. The referee awarded the penalty, and Blunden stepped up to net the spot kick to put Leverstock 1 0 up. The lead lasted little more than a minute, however. Leverstock conceded a free kick in a dangerous position just outside their own box. Alfie Cerulli took advantage of poor placement of the defensive wall, as his shot, which was certainly not the hardest, went past the wall and took a bounce on its way into the corner of the net, leaving Mollison standing.

Blunden went close to putting the Green side back in front in the 61st minute as he brought down a long free kick from Kyeremeh and turned into space on the edge of the box, but hit his shot wide. In the 63rd minute Mollison pulled off a brilliant save to turn a shot from Ufuah round the post. However, a minute later Ofuah hit another shot which struck the bar, and the rebound fell to Cerulli, who buried it from a narrow angle to put Billericay into a 2 1 lead. George Mitchell Gears came off the bench in the 66th minute and within a minute was denied an equaliser by a close range save from Seaden. Instead of being level, seconds later Leverstock found themselves 3 1 down. The Green defenders felt the ball had gone out of play as Cerulli chased it to the bye line, but play went on and Cerulli squared to give Dickson a tap in for the third goal.

Scott McGleish entered the game in the 72nd minute and within two minutes he won the first of many headers as he flicked a Kyeremeh free kick across goal to Mitchell Gears, whose header was saved. In the 78th minute Blunden had a chance from a free kick in a dangerous position, but hit his effort just over the bar. Leverstock were still in the game until the 81st minute, when a slick end to end passing move ended with Dickson shooting home Billericay’s fourth goal. Mitchell Gears and McGleish both went close to pulling a goal back in the closing minutes with headers that went just over the bar, but there were no further goals as Billericay ran out 4 1 winners. The result was a little harsh on the Green side, who were well in the game until the end and had plenty of chances themselves.

There is still plenty of cup action coming up for the Leverstock side, as three of their next four games are in three different cups, starting on Tuesday night when they visit another Isthmian Premier side Bishop’s Stortford in the first round of the Herts Senior Cup.

Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Blunden 48 pen)

1. Josh Mollison, 2. Alvin Kyeremeh, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 18. Luke Durnin (15. Brad Robinson 11 mins), 6. Ryan Carruthers (14. George Mitchell Gears 66 mins), 7. Lewis Collins, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. Ibrahim Nagheeb, 11. Ethan Mooney (20. Scott McGleish 72 mins). Subs not used: 12. Elgeniy Daalberg, 16. Kai Stonnell, 17. Sean Walsh, GK. Austin Byfield.

FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round Versus Billericay Town

Photos by Nicky Hayes Photos

Club News

LORDS Builders Merchants have installed new signage around the ground. This is part of the renaming of the stadium to LORDS Builders Merchants Stadium.

Tuesday 27th September

PREM Hoddesdon Town Tring Athletic

DLC Leverstock Green London Colney

CC Potters Bar Town FC First Baldock Town First

HINC Potton United Pinchbeck United

CC Winslow United First Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

Saturday 1st October

PREM Ardley United London Colney

PREM Arlesey Town Leverstock Green

PREM Colney Heath Dunstable Town

PREM Harpenden Town Risborough Rangers

PREM Hoddesdon Town Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

PREM Leighton Town Biggleswade United

PREM Potton United St Panteleimon

PREM Stotfold Crawley Green

PREM Tring Athletic Baldock Town

Tuesday 4th October

DLC Ardley United Biggleswade United

DLC Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Shefford Town & Campton

DLC Baldock Town Leighton Town

DLC Crawley Green Hoddesdon Town

CC Harrow Borough FC First Cockfosters First

DLC Potton United Harpenden Town

DLC St Panteleimon Stotfold

DLC Tring Athletic Dunstable Town

Wednesday 21st September

CC London

Friday 23rd September

FAV & 1

Saturday 24th September

PREM Arlesey Town 2 3 Shefford Town & Campton

PREM Cockfosters 0 3 Crawley Green

PREM Potton United 2 1 Hoddesdon Town

PREM Stotfold 1 1 Leverstock Green

GCT Totternhoe 2 3 Ardley

FAV 0 Milton Keynes

FAV 0

FAV 0

FAV 1 0

FAV 0

FAV Melford 1 3

FAV 3

FAV 0

Alan Lee Reporting

Herts Senior Cup 1st Round Bishops Stortford 5 Leverstock Green 0

Tuesday 6th September 2022

Leverstock Green faced Step 3 opposition for the second time in four days, and Bishop’s Stortford proved tougher opposition than Billericay Town had been, as the Isthmian Premier Division table would suggest. Five goals down early in the second half, the Leverstock followers feared the worst, but the side dug in over the last forty minutes and no further goals were scored in this Herts Senior Cup first round tie.

Fergus Moore was able to bring Adrian Pitfield into the side for the first time this season after injury problems, and Pitfield made two good tackles in the opening minute of the game as the home side started strongly. It took them only six minutes to get on the scoresheet, with Jay Porter coming in to shoot home from six yards out.

The second goal came in the 27th minute as Leverstock were punished for giving the ball away in their own half. The ball was chipped forward to Frankie Merrifield on the edge of the penalty area, and he turned away from a defender and hit a shot which gave Austin Byfield no chance. Merrifield hit another shot from long range two minutes later but Byfield did well to hold onto it. A third goal was threatened in the 38th minute, but Leverstock survived as a header from the corner hit the bar, and the header from the rebound was tipped over by Byfield. However in the 41st minute the ball was threaded through to Chris Harris, who slotted it home for a third Bishop’s Stortford goal.

The second half was only 40 seconds old when Stortford added their fourth goal, a simple tap in at the far post from Jack Thomas. In the 51st minute it was 5 0 when Oliver Peters was allowed to run at goal and hit a ferocious shot which again gave Byfield no chance as it flew into the net.

Rio Beach had Leverstock’s best effort of the game so far in the 55th minute as he went on a mazy run into the box and hit a shot just over the bar. A double substitution on 57 minutes saw Scott McGleish replace the injured Dan Weeks and Ibrahim Nagheeb replace Ryan Carruthers, and the Green side began to look more solid and started to play some football. Nagheeb had a run at goal in the 62nd minute and his shot brought the first save of the game out of home keeper Noah Phillips. Leverstock were denied a consolation goal again in the 71st minute when a shot was cleared off the line.

Stortford were still pushing forward in the later stages of the game, but some good defending ensured that they did not add to their score. The last half hour of the game should give the Green side plenty of positives to take into their next game, at home to London Colney in the Premier Division Cup on Saturday.

Leverstock Green (0) 0

1. Austin Byfield, 2. Adrian Pitfield, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks (20. Scott McGleish 57 mins), 5. Alvin Kyemereh, 6. Ryan Carruthers (14. Ibrahim Nagheeb 57 mins), 7. Ethan Mooney, 8. Sean Walsh, 9. Luke Beckwith, 10. George Mitchell Gears, 11. Elgeniy Daalberg (12. Lewis Collins 67 mins). Subs mot used: 15. Dan Pett, 16. Brad Robinson.

First Team Results & Goalscorers

Date Venue Opponents

02 Aug SSML Home Risborough Rangers

Score Goalscorers

1 0 Won Blunden

06 Aug FAC Home Halstead Town 3 0 Won Mitchell Gears, Blunden, Durnin

13 Aug SSML Away Baldock Town 0 2 Won Kyeremeh, Blunden

16 Aug SSML Home London Colney 1 0 Won Kyeremeh

20 Aug FAC Home St Panteleimon 2 2 Draw Beckwith, Beach

24 Aug FAC Away St Panteleimon 3* 3 Won Pett, Carruthers, Daalberg

27 Aug FAV Away Edgware & Kingsbury 2 2* Lost Kyeremeh, Beckwith

03 Sep FAC Away Billericay Town 4 1 Lost Blunden

06 Sep HSC Away Bishops Stortford 0 5 Lost

10 Sep PDC Home London Colney P P

13 Sep SSML Home Ardley United 1 1 Draw Blunden

17 Sep CT Away Rugby Borough 0 2 Lost

24 Sep SSML Away Stotfold 1 1 Draw Collins

27 Sep PDC Home London Colney

01 Oct SSML Away Arlesey Town

08-Oct SSML Home Shefford Town & Campton

11 Oct

15 Oct SSML Home Dunstable Town

22 Oct

25 Oct SSML Away Hoddesdon Town

29 Oct

05 Nov SSML Home Biggleswade Utd

08 Nov SSML Away Crawley Green

12 Nov SSML Home Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

19 Nov SSML Home Baldock Town

22 Nov SSML Away London Colney

26 Nov CT

03 Dec SSML Home Harpenden Town

10 Dec SSML Home Crawley Green

17 Dec SSML Away Potton Utd

27 Dec SSML Away Tring Athletic

02 Jan SSML Home Colney Heath

07 Jan SSML Away Cockfosters

14 Jan SSML Away Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

21 Jan SSML Home St Panteleimon

28 Jan SSML Away Harpenden Town

04 Feb SSML Home Potton Utd

11 Feb SSML Away Arlesey Town

18 Feb SSML Away Dunstable Town

25 Feb SSML Away Ardley United

04 Mar SSML Home Hoddesdon Town

11 Mar SSML Away Biggleswade Utd

18 Mar SSML Home Stotfold

25 Mar SSML Away Risborough Rangers

01 Apr SSML Home Cockfosters

08 Apr SSML Away Colney Heath

10 Apr SSML Home Tring Athletic

15 Apr SSML Away Shefford Town & Campton

22 Apr SSML Home Leighton Town

Photo credit to Tony Smart

Photos from Rugby Town Match

Alan Lee Reporting

SSML Premier Division

Leverstock Green 1 Ardley United 1

Tuesday 13th September 2022

Back in the early days of August, Leverstock Green opened their league programme with three straight wins and clean sheets. A month on from their third game they finally got to play their fourth league game, and although they were unable to maintain their 100% record and clean sheet record, a late equaliser from Chris Blunden ensured that they remained unbeaten.

Wish Josh Mollison having transferred to Stotfold and Austin Byfield unwell, Oscar Frost was brought back into goal, and the 18 year old acquitted himself well with several good saves. Club captain Dan Weeks was still suffering from the injury picked up at Bishop’s Stortford last week, so former London Colney captain Bobby Armstrong was brought in for his debut, and gave a man of the match performance. On a night of constant drizzle, a slippery surface caused problems for both sides, and the draw was a fair result in the end, especially as Ardley were reduced to ten men for the last half hour.

Both teams paid their respects to Queen Elizabeth II with a minute’s silence being observed before the game.

Leverstock had the game’s first real chance in the 11th minute as a great pass from Blunden put Luke Beckwith through on goal, but his shot was beaten away by visiting keeper Ben Hoy. At the other end two minutes later Frost pulled off a good save to turn away a header. Frost was in action again in the 15th minute, turning another header from a free kick around the post.

Ardley had a good chance in the 28th minute but the shot went across goal and wide, and an even better chance two minutes later with a forward seeming to have the goal at his mercy from close range, but choosing to head sideways to a team mate who shot into the side netting. Leverstock were denied in the 40th minute as Hoy did well to tip a fierce shot from Ibrahim Nagheeb over the bar. In the last minute of the half Alvin Kyeremeh got on the end of a free kick from Dan Pett but headed over the bar.

Four minutes into the second half Leverstock had another promising attack as Ethan Mooney got away down the right and put the ball into the box, but Beckwith couldn’t get his shot on target. Within a minute they found themselves behind as the ball was given away in their own half and Declan Benjamin was able to send a chip over Frost to put Ardley into a 1 0 lead.

However, ten minutes later Ardley were down to ten men. Jordy Ngathe had already received a yellow card late in the first half for a bad tackle on Nagheeb, and a similar tackle on Pett in the 60th minute saw him receive a second yellow with a red card.

For the remainder of the game Ardley were hanging onto their lead as Leverstock pushed forward with their numerical advantage. With ten minutes remaining both Blunden and Elginey Daalberg missed chances inside the box. However, with five minutes remaining Kyeremeh went on a run into the opposition half. His lofted ball into the box was headed away, but only as far as Blunden on the edge of the box, and after controlling it with his first touch, he smashed home a volley with his second touch for a deserved equaliser.

Leverstock Green (0) 1 (Blunden 85)

1. Oscar Frost, 2. Brad Robinson (15. Adrian Pitfield 53 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 18. Bobby Armstrong, 5. Alvin Kyeremeh, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Ethan Mooney (12. Lewis Collins 53 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. Ibrahim Nagheeb (14. Elgeniy Daalberg 72 mins), 11. Luke Beckwith. Subs not used: 16. Kai Stonnell, 17. Sean Walsh.

Gary Fullwood Design Living.

They are sponsoring the Under 18 and First Team warm up tops. Our thanks to Gary and Karl.

Alan Lee Reporting

Gladwish Challenge Trophy 1st Round

Rugby Town 2 Leverstock Green 0 17th September 2022

Leverstock Green exited the Gladwish Challenge Trophy at the first hurdle with a disappointing display against Division One side Rugby Borough. The Green side, missing a few regulars due to injury and unavailability, created very little during the game and the home side were deserved winners having dominated the second half.

Leverstock started the game brightly, with Luke Beckwith flashing the ball across the face of the Rugby goal in the opening minute, and a couple of corners but nothing came of them. Neither keeper had any shot to save during the first half, although Rugby came closest to opening the scoring in the 36th minute when a shot from Halim Halim went across the face of goal and just wide.

Rugby started the second half much the better side, forcing a series of corners in the opening minutes. Austin Byfield did well to turn away a shot from Tommy Glasscoe in the 58th minute. Two minutes later there was a promising moment for Leverstock when Beckwith turned a defender and had a run at goal, but the ball got away from him at the vital moment.

Byfield was in action again in the 69th minute, turning a shot from Sam Lockley around the post. A minute later Chris Blunden brought the game’s only save out of the Rugby keeper with a close range effort that was pushed away. Rugby eventually took a deserved lead in the 74th minute, with Dale Linton having an easy tap into the net while the Green defence was looking for an offside flag.

Rugby were denied a second goal in the 85th minute due to the offside flag, but a minute later they added their second as Lockley slid in to meet a cross with an effort that went in off the underside of the bar.

It was a day for the Leverstock side to forget, and next Saturday they resume their league programme with an away game against Stotfold.

Leverstock Green (0) 0

1. Austin Byfield, 2. Brad Robinson (17. Adrian Pitfield 68 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Pett, 20. Scott McGleish, 6. Kai Stonnell (16. Ayomide Oke 77 mins), 7. Elgeniy Daalberg (14. Ethan Mooney 64 mins), 8. Ibrahim Nagheeb, 9. Chris Blunden, 10. Sean Walsh (12. Ryan Carruthers 56 mins), 11. Luke Beckwith. Sub not used: 15. Callum Moore.

‘NOWT SO QUEER AS YORKSHIRE FOLK’

BY KAREN BROWNE

The Views Expressed Are Solely My Own, Are Written Tongue In Cheek Should Be Taken With A Pinch Of Salt

SATURDAY 17th SEPTEMBER

WEEKEND HEADLINES

Shefford Town & Campton march on in the FA Cup following a win at Step 4 side Grays Athletic. Rugby Borough stun Leverstock Green in the Gladwish Challenge Trophy. Northampton ON Chenecks record their best ever SSML result with an 8 0 win

WEEKEND STATISTICS

Weekend Stats: 29 games played of which 13 were home wins, 10 away wins and 6 draws. Weekend Stats: The 29 games produced a total of 115 goals, an average of 3.95 per game. David Etheridge (Potton United), Kyle Faulkner (Dunstable Town) and Jordan Brown (Real Bedford FC) all claimed match balls

THE EMIRATES FA CUP Second Round Qualifying

The fairy tale continues for Shefford Town & Campton in their first ever campaign in the Emirates FA Cup, their latest adventure saw them win at Step4 side Grays Athletic, the 3 1 win puts them in the hat for the Third Round Qualifying draw and just two games away from a possible meeting with a Football League club. Full result and goalscorers are listed below.

THE GLADWISH CHALLENGE TROPHY First Round

Step 6 newbies Rugby Borough produced a shock in the Gladwish Challenge Trophy First Round when they knocked out experienced Step 5 side Leverstock Green and more on this later in the ramblings. Hoddesdon Town avoided a potential banana skin when they defeated hosts Rushden & Higham United 3-1 while in an all Division Two tie Tring Corinthians AFC enjoyed a 5 1 win at The 61FC (Luton), the hosts have to go back to 2008 09 for their last win in this competition.

PREMIER DIVISION

Crawley Green remain top of the Premier Division standings after a 4 0 home win against Tring Athletic while St Panteleimon leap frogged Leighton Town to go second after defeating the Bedfordshire club by the odd goal in five, the visitors drop to third as a result. At the other end of the table Arlesey Town remain bottom following a solitary goal defeat at Cockfosters while there were heavy defeats for fellow strugglers London Colney and Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, Colney losing 1 5 at Dunstable Town while AVD were beaten 0 5 at home by Potton United, the visitors winning in the league for the first time this campaign. Elsewhere Baldock Town enjoyed a 3 0 home success against Colney Heath while Biggleswade United edged out visiting Ardley United by the odd goal in five. The day’s other fixture saw Harpenden Town share the spoils with visiting Stotfold, the game finishing 3 3 after the hosts had led 3-1 at the interval.

DIVISION ONE

Real Bedford FC are the new table toppers of Division One after a 4 1 win at Holmer Green, the Bedfordshire club sit two points clear after morning leaders Ampthill Town were held 0 0 at home by newbies Lutterworth Athletic. Moulton FC are third after defeating visiting Raunds Town 5 2 while also maintaining promotion hopes are Amersham Town who enjoyed a 3 0 home success against Northampton Sileby Rangers. The day’s biggest winners were Northampton ON Chenecks who thumped Burton Park Wanderers 8 0, a result that sent the visitors to the bottom of the standings. Thame United Reserves climbed off the foot of the table after securing their first points of the campaign with a 4 2 win at Wellingborough Whitworth while Langford ran out comfortable 4 0 winners at home against London Tigers. The day’s other action saw Winslow United held 1 1 at home by Letchworth Garden City Eagles while the Eaton Socon v Buckingham Athletic game finished goalless. Full results and goalscorers are listed below.

DIVISION TWO

No change at the top of the Division Two standings as the leaders Totternhoe enjoyed a 3 1 win on the road at struggling Potton United Development, while Old Bradwell United climb to second after a solitary goal success at Pitstone & Ivinghoe. Leighton Town Development slip to third after seeing their 100% record dented when being held 1 1 by visiting Bovingdon. Last season’s runners up Aston Clinton made it three wins from three with a solid 4 0 win at Buckingham United while Eynesbury United were the day’s top scorers with a 6 2 home win over Risborough Rangers Development. Elsewhere New Bradwell St Peter edged out visiting AFC Caddington by the odd goal in five while Milton Keynes College Football Academy overcame their hosts Sarratt by a solitary goal. The day’s other Division Two fixture saw honours even as Codicote were held to a 2 2 draw at home by Berkhamsted Raiders. Full results and goalscorers are listed below.

COMMITTEE AWAYDAYS

SSMFL Board & Committee member Bob Flight was at Rugby Borough and pens the following report: First division newcomers Rugby Borough hosted premier division Leverstock Green in the first round of the Gladwish Challenge trophy in front of over 140 spectators in warm September sunshine. The Boro were not overawed by their higher division visitors and in an even first half, with very few chances, they more than held their own. With neither team troubling the two keepers, the half ended goalless. The second half was better for the home team as they began to dominate play and some early dangerous crosses went begging. Little was seen of the Green attack and Boro had more chances but one went over the bar and another was well saved by the Green keeper. However, the inevitable goal came on 74 minutes when Boro beat the offside to score. They had another excellent chance as their player was through on goal but the Green keeper made another brilliant save. The goal that sealed the tie came late on as Green lost procession in mid field which allowed a Boro player to shoot against the underside of the bar and see the ball bounce over the goal line to put Boro two goals up. At last Green responded, and the remainder of the game saw them pressure the home goal but despite a shot that was well saved it was too little too late and Rugby fully deserved the win.

AND FINALLY

The Non League Show on Three Counties Radio (Herts, Beds & Bucks) has returned with a new day and time. It will air live between 12 2pm every Saturday. The show presented by Ollie Bayliss will reflect on the previous week’s big news and stories as well as promoting and reviewing matches later that afternoon. For those who missed it then you can catch up here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0cx7cbw

Alan Lee Reporting Premier Division

Leverstock Green maintained their unbeaten league record as they came away from Stotfold with a welldeserved point from Saturday’s SSML Premier Division fixture. It was a game of few chances, but the Green side had to defend against a strong wind during the second half.

With Chris Blunden unavailable for two weeks, Fergus Moore brought in centre forward Radu Mihai Stefanoaica on a dual registration from Egham Town, and he looked impressive on his debut. Leverstock have also lost the services of Luke Beckwith to AFC Dunstable, although still retain his registration, and with George Mitchell Gears still recovering from illness, it was a completely different front line today to that which started the season.

Apart from a Stotfold header from a corner going over the bar in the opening minute, there was little goalmouth action in the early stages of the game. In the 11th minute Lewis Collins made a purposeful run at goal but didn’t make proper contact with his shot and it was easily gathered by the keeper. The game’s first save came in the 25th minute when Austin Byfield tipped a fierce shot from Codi-Lee Spavins over the bar.

Leverstock had marginally more of the play in an even first half, and they took the lead in the 36th minute. Dan Pett floated in a free kick towards the far post, and Collins came in with a diving header to net his first goal of the season. In the 41st minute Pett tried a cheeky attempt to chip the Stotfold keeper from a free kick, but it didn’t come down in time.

It looked like Leverstock would go into the break ahead, but a controversial penalty in stoppage time changed things. A foul which left Stefanoaica on the ground was not spotted, and he was still down as Stotfold broke away. Leverstock looked to have dealt with the danger until Bobby Armstrong was penalised for a sliding challenge in which the ball appeared to have been won. The penalty was awarded, and Jordan Stevenson sent Byfield the wrong way to level the scores.

The second half was equally short on chances, with Leverstock’s best chance coming in the 68th minute when Alvin Kyeremeh got on the end of a free kick from Ibrahim Nagheeb, but his header went straight into the keeper’s hands. Pett went close again in the 80th minute with a curled shot that went just over the bar.

Stotfold had a couple of decent chances, but couldn’t get the ball on target, and although they were enjoying a sustained spell of pressure towards the end of the game, the Leverstock side continued to defend well and held out for the point.

Leverstock Green (1) 1 (Collins 36) 1. Austin Byfield, 2. Adrian Pitfield, 3. Rio Beach, 18. Bobby Armstrong, 5. Alvin Kyeremeh (20. Scott McGleish 75 mins), 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Lewis Collins, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Radu Mihai Stefanoaica, 10. Ibrahim Nagheeb, 11. Ethan Mooney. Subs not used: 12. Elgeniy Daalberg, 14. George Mitchell-Gears, 15. Kai Stonnell, 16. Sean Walsh.

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Adrian Pitfield

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Fergus Moore

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Dean Bradford

LORDS Builders Merchants

Rio Beach Deckchair Pete

Ibrahim Nagheeb

Elgeniy Daalberg

Cam Gaffeny

Scott McGleish

George Mitchell-Gears

Lewis Collins

Luke Beckwith

Kai Stonnell

Dan Pett

Bradley Robinson

Alvin

Chris

Ollie

Alfie

George

Austin Byfield

Luke

Bobby

Alan Lee

Rob Webb

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George Kent – Leyton Orient

Focus Scaffolding

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First Team Appearances & Goal Scorers

APPEARANCES

Player

SSML PDC CC HSC FA Cup FA Vase Total

Ryan Carruthers 5 0 1 1 4 1 12

Rio Beach 5 0 1 1 4 0 11

Alvin Kyeremeh 5 0 0 1 4 1 11

Ibrahim Nagheeb 5 0 1 1 3 0 10

Lewis Collins 5 0 0 1 4 0 10

Bradley Robinson 4 0 1 0 4 1 10

Chris Blunden 4 0 1 0 4 1 10

Luke Beckwith 4 0 1 1 3 1 10

Elgenly Daalberg 3 0 1 1 3 1 9

Ethan Mooney 4 0 1 1 2 0 8

Scott McGleish 2 0 1 1 3 1 8

Josh Mollison 3 0 0 0 3 1 7

George Mitchell-Gears 3 0 0 1 3 0 7

Dan Weeks 2 0 0 1 3 1 7

Sean Walsh 2 0 1 1 1 1 6

Dan Pett 2 0 1 0 2 1 6

Luke Durnin 1 0 0 0 4 1 6

Adrian Pitfield 2 0 1 1 0 0 4

Kai Stonnell 1 0 1 0 1 1 4

Austin Byfield 1 0 1 1 1 0 4

Bobby Armstrong 2 0 0 0 0 0 2

Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica 1 0 0 0 0 1 2

Oscar Frost 1 0 0 0 0 0 1

Ayomide Oke 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

Robbie Emanuels 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 James Collins 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

GOALSCORERS

Player

SSML PDC CC HSC FA Cup FA Vase Total

Chris Blunden 4 0 0 0 2 0 6

Alvin Kyeremeh 2 0 0 0 0 1 3

Luke Beckwith 0 0 0 0 1 1 2

Lewis Collins 1 0 0 0 0 0 1

George Mitchell-Gears 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

Luke Durnin 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

Rio Beach 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

Dan Pett 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

Ryan Carruthers 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

Elgenly Daalberg 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

History & Honours

Results and Fixtures

Date Venue Opponents

15-Aug FAY Away Berkhamsted

01 Sep FAY Home Langley

08 Sep SCYFL Away Berkhamsted

Score Goalscorers

3 - 2 Won Hobbs, Roberts, Payne

1 6 Lost Payne

3 2 Won Payne, Kenyon, Hobbs

15 Sep SCYFL Home AFC Dunstable 2 3 Lost Roberts, Moore

22 Sep SCYFL Home Crawley Green 3 1 Won Payne 2, Sullivan

29 Sep SCYFL Away Harpenden Town

06 Oct SCYFL Home Kings Langley

13 Oct SCYFL Away Dunstable Town

20-Oct SCYFL Home Leighton Town

24 Oct SCYFL Away Luton Town Cedars

03-Nov SCYFL Away Oxhey Jets

10-Nov SCYFL Home Colney Heath

17-Nov SCYFL Away Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

24 Nov SCYFL Home AFC Dunstable

01-Dec SCYFL Home Berkhamsted

08 Dec SCYFL Away Crawley Green

15 Dec SCYFL Home Harpenden Town

05 Jan SCYFL Away Kings Langley

12 Jan SCYFL Home Dunstable Town

19 Jan SCYFL Away Leighton Town

26 Jan SCYFL Home Luton Town Cedars

02 Feb SCYFL Home Oxhey Jets

09 Feb SCYFL Away Colney Heath

16-Feb SCYFL Home Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

23 Feb Division

Appearances & Goalscorers

APPEARANCES

League Merton League Cup HFA U18 FAY Cup Total

Daniel Payne 3 0 0 0 1 4

Charlie Hobbs 3 0 0 0 1 4

Finn McLean 3 0 0 0 1 4

Ellis Webb 3 0 0 0 1 4

Archie Roberts 3 0 0 0 1 4

Callum Moore 3 0 0 0 1 4

Callum Maloney 3 0 0 0 1 4

Stanley Kenyon 3 0 0 0 0 3

Shad Rasha 3 0 0 0 0 3

Reece Marchant 2 0 0 0 1 3

Billy Hoar 2 0 0 0 1 3

Bilal Mohammed 2 0 0 0 1 3

Kai Sullivan 2 0 0 0 1 3

Tom Rutherford 1 0 0 0 1 2

Jack Nicholl 1 0 0 0 1 2

Edward Thackeray 1 0 0 0 1 2

Freddie Borroughs 1 0 0 0 1 2 Archie Wood 1 0 0 0 1 2

Liam Fortune 1 0 0 0 1 2 Lenny Hopwood 1 0 0 0 1 2

George Edwards 1 0 0 0 0 1 Sean Lockehart 1 0 0 0 0 1

Fergus Murray 1 0 0 0 0 1 Jamie McIntosh 1 0 0 0 0 1

GOALSCORERS

League Merton League Cup HFA U18 FAY Cup Total

Daniel Payne 3 0 0 0 1 4

Charlie Hobbs 1 0 0 0 1 2

Archie Roberts 1 0 0 0 1 2

Stanley Kenyon 1 0 0 0 0 1

Kai Sullivan 1 0 0 0 0 1

Callum Moore 1 0 0 0 0 1

Leverstock Green’s under 18s got back to winning ways in the SCFYL Corinthian Division on Thursday night.

A strike from Kai Sullivan put them 1 0 up against Crawley Green in the 2nd minute. Dan Payne had a chance to double the lead from the penalty spot in the 14th minute, but his kick was saved. Leverstock had the chances to be comfortably ahead, but an equaliser from the visitors in stoppage time meant that the teams went into half time on level terms.

Ten minutes into the second half Payne had another chance from the penalty spot, and this time he converted the kick to put Leverstock 2 1 up, and in the 62nd minute Payne received a pass from Callum Moore and went round the keeper to add the third goal, which proved to be enough for the three points. Ross Bargent’s side currently sit third in the league with two wins from three games.

Starting XI: Liam Fortune, Fergus Murray, Bilal Mohammed, Charlie Hobbs, Ellis Webb, Finn McLean, Dan Payne, Kai Sullivan, Callum Moore, Archie Roberts, Lenny Hopwood. Subs: Billy Hoar, Jamie McIntosh, Shad Rasha, Callum Maloney, Stan Kenyon.

Below: Kai Sullivan Midfield

Results & Fixtures

Week commencing 12th September 2022

CORINTHIAN DIVISION

Leverstock Green 2 AFC Dunstable 3 Leighton Town 2 Berkhamsted 2 Oxhey Jets P Luton Town Cedars P

Week commencing 19th September 2022

CORINTHIAN DIVISION

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos 4 AFC Dunstable 1 Colney Heath 1 Berkhamsted 1 Dunstable Town 2 Oxhey Jets 5 Leighton Town 5 Kings Langley 1 Leverstock Green 3 Crawley Green 1 Harpenden Town 1 Luton Town Cedars 1

Week commencing 26th September 2022

CORINTHIAN DIVISION

Berkhamsted v Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

Crawley Green P Colney Heath P Dunstable Town v Leighton Town Harpenden Town v Leverstock Green Kings Langley P Luton Town Cedars P Oxhey Jets v AFC Dunstable

Week commencing 3rd October 2022

CORINTHIAN DIVISION

AFC Dunstable v Berkhamsted

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Crawley Green Colney Heath v Harpenden Town Leverstock Green v Kings Langley Luton Town Cedars v Dunstable Town Oxhey Jets v Leighton Town

VICE PRESIDENTS CLUB 2022-23

Leverstock Green Football Club would like to thank the Vice Presidents for their help and assistance pledged for last season.

Colin Bull, Peter Dennis, Jim Doble, Peter Frasier, Roger Stokes

As in previous seasons the donations made by our Vice Presidents have assisted us in providing many improvements.

Would you like to join, £25 will secure your place.

Step 5 and Step 6 Promotion and Relegation

Changes have been made to the promotion and relegation guidelines given in the summer for Step 5 of the FA’s National League System. This is due to vacancies that have arisen in the NLS for a variety of reasons.

At Step 4, the 8 Clubs finishing 4th bottom and 2 clubs ending 3rd bottom with the highest PPG now do not have to take part in the Inter Step Play Offs.

This leaves 6 eligible Step 4 Clubs for the Play-Offs and 16 eligible 2nd placed Clubs at Step 5. As a result, the Clubs finishing in 2nd position at Step 5 are ranked on PPG with the 10 highest being automatically promoted.

The 6 remaining Step 4 Clubs and 6 remaining Step 5 Clubs are placed into geographical groupings and paired by PPG as per the Play Off Criteria

12 Clubs finishing in the bottom two across Step 5 will now be reprieved from relegation ranked on PPG.

It has to be noted that the above situation is the current position and could change if the Committee feels there is a valid reason in the best interest of the NLS.