Match Report
Saturday 29th August 2015 Suburban League North Division
Leverstock Green Reserves (2) 3 Boswell 22, 41, Gardner 61
Tring Athletic Reserves (1) 3 Burton 45+1, Fontenelle 65, Turner 90+6
at Pancake Lane

Leverstock Green's reserve side were denied their first Suburban League win by a Tring Athletic equaliser deep into stoppage time. Paul Hunt's side had played their part in an entertaining game and had twice held a two-goal lead, but had to settle for their first point of the season.

Green keeper Jack Laney was brought into action in the 2nd minute, having to save with his legs when Bradley Burton was put through on goal. Ricky Dash brought a save out of Tring keeper Matthieu Varnica in the 17th minute, exchanging passes with Luke Preedy before hitting a shot which Varnica turned round the post.

Alfie Boswell put Leverstock in front with a fine strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 22nd minute, and doubled his tally in the 41st minute, receiving the ball on the edge of the box before hitting a low strike past Varnica.

However, Tring pulled a goal back in the first minute of stoppage time when Burton was put clean through and slotted past Laney, and they might have even levelled before the break, but Tom Shaw shot wide from a good position.

Dene Gardner almost set up a hat-trick for Boswell three minutes into the second half as he ran to the bye-line and pulled the ball back, but Varnica saved Boswell's effort. In the 55th minute Gardner made a dazzling solo run into the box, but again Varnica came to the rescue to save his shot.

The third Leverstock goal eventually arrived in the 61st minute. Luke Preedy's ball from the halfway line found Gardner with one defender for company outside the box, and Gardner shrugged off the defender before slotting home under Varnica.

However, the lead was reduced again four minutes later as Tring sub Adrian Fontenelle was put clean through behind a Green defence waiting in vain for a flag, and ran on to finish confidently.

Ashley Yelland came closest to adding another Leverstock goal in the 78th minute when Gardner threaded him through on goal, but his shot was just wide of the far post. Late in the game Boswell twice had to be treated for cramp, which contributed to a long period of stoppage time.

Five minutes of stoppages had been played when Leverstock gave away a free kick on the right side of their penalty area. The ball was floated to Fontenelle at the far post, and he chipped the ball back into the centre where Bradley Turner headed home an equaliser which was not undeserved on the balance of play.

Two days earlier, the reserves had been beaten 5-1 at Dunstable Town in their second league match, with Ryan Luke scoring the goal.

The reserves don't have another game for two weeks, but the first team are away to Tring on Tuesday night in the first round of the Premier Division Cup.

Match Images (click on picture to see full-size)
Leverstock Green Reserves: 1. Jack Laney, 2. Macauley Prescott (15. Lee Waryszniuk H/T), 3. Anthony Benvenga, 4. Ricky Dash, 5. Jack Halcomb, 6. Conor Townsend, 7. Jon Davies (12. Dene Gardner 17 mins), 8. Reece McArthur (14. Ashley Yelland 73 mins), 9. Alfie Boswell, 10. Ryan Luke, 11. Luke Preedy. Subs not used: 16. Harry Gilbert, 17. Nathan Kelly.
Tring Athletic Reserves: 1. Matthieu Varnica, 2. Niall Holliday (17. George Tomlin 54 mins), 3. Evan Wakenham, 4. James Butler (14. Craig Cook 59 mins), 5. Jack Seaton, 6. Ryan McMahon, 7. Matthew Brunton, 8. Bradley Burton, 9. Vinnie Iannone (12. Adrian Fontenelle 54 mins), 10. Bradley Turner, 11. Tom Shaw. Subs not used: 15. Joseph Cadogan, 16. Andrew Harding.