Longlevens come from behind against Malmesbury to secure first win since August
Longlevens came from behind to secure their first win since the August Bank Holiday weekend, beating Malmesbury Victoria 3-1 in a big fixture at the bottom end of the Hellenic Premier table.
Goals from Jack Beardsell, Vlad Yarmolenko and Ryan Williams were enough to see Longlevens end a run of 12 without victory, after the visitors had struck first through Ben Patey.
The win sees Longlevens move onto 12 points and four points clear of the relegation places, following Cirencester Town’s win against Lydney Town on Saturday afternoon.
Levens also move above Malmesbury, who have as many as five games in hand over some of the sides above them.
But as Longlevens move onto their next two fixtures to take them to the half way point of their season, they went into this weekend’s game knowing they needed to get back to winning ways before it’s too late.
And with crucial games against Highworth and Cirencester to follow in the next two weekends, the win couldn’t have come at a better time.
The game itself started with Jack Beardsell going through on goal in the second minute, but cut back onto his right foot an the chance was gone.
Moments later, Malmesbury were ahead. After Longlevens were slow to close a cross from the left, Patey’s header somehow squirmed under Kane Winman’s outstretched gloves.
But the hosts weren’t behind for long, with Shiyak Sutherland’s quick thinking at a throw in leading to Jack Beardsell lobbing Travis Wood for his second goal of the season.
And the hosts found themselves in front for the first time just six minutes later, as Wood was left furious as he came to collect Sam Kelly’s ball in, only to collide with his own man and Vlad Yarmolenko was on hand to tap home from close range.
As the hosts looked to go through the gears, they made it 3-1 on 33 minutes. Once again it was Sam Kelly who crossed from the right and Yarmolenko had the presence of mind to flick the ball back up at the back post and Ryan Williams was on hand to head home from about six yards.
Midfielder Ryan Belboda fizzed an effort wide for the hosts, just before half time, but Longlevens went into the break in an unfamiliar position.
The second half start in a cagey manner. Longlevens had lost Ryan Williams to a tight hamstring at half time, with Malmesbury having to replace an injured Kyle Parker themselves.
As the half wore on, Longlevens began to try to manage the game – much to Malmesbury’s frustration.
Zac Skinner’s goalbound effort was turned over his own bar by an Ollie Long header, before Tom Wynn-Davis’ effort was diverted just wide by Jack Smith.
Ben Patey scuffed an effort straight at Kane Winman, before Winman went down injured innocuously when coming out to smother a flick on.
Longlevens Co-Manager Craig Martin came onto the field for the final 10 minutes and he had two great chances to seal the deal for his side.
First, he latched onto a ball forward, but it just wouldn’t sit down for him to get a shot off – then he flew in with a sliding effort but sent his effort over.
Belboda had the final big chance of the game, seeing his effort at the back post deflected wide for a corner as Michael Palmer and Craig Martin’s side held on to be worthy winners.
Next up for Longlevens is a trip to promotion chasing Highworth Town next weekend, whilst Malmesbury are back in action in midweek, when they play Bermerton Heath Harlequins in the County Cup – before heading to Pershore in league action next Saturday.
Longlevens: Winman, Sherchan, Kelly, Long, R Williams, Belboda, C Williams, Yarmolenko, Haswell, Beardsell, Sutherland
Subs: Kavanagh, Martin, Brown, Roddis, Spencer
Malmesbury Victoria: Wood, Lawton, Parker, Love, Pitts, Hughes, Skinner, Evatt, Smith, Patey, Wynn-Davis
Subs: Gascoyne, Brown, Langley, Toop, Jones
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Sam Kelly (Longlevens)
READ MORE: Check out the list of results in and around Gloucestershire from Saturday right here
