Dursley Town make U18s Shield final after thrilling second half with Longlevens

Dursley Town U18s snatched the win from the jaws of defeat having been 2-0 up themselves, beating Longlevens 4-3 at Longford Lane on Sunday afternoon.

In a thrilling second half, Longlevens scored twice in as many minutes to cancel out Dursley’s 2-0 half time lead, before the hosts found themselves ahead for the first time with 15 minutes left on the clock.

But a second of the game for Jake Hogg and an 86th minute penalty from Billy Mann saw Brad Price’s side claim an incredible win, which his side just about deserved on the balance of the whole 90 minutes.

Dursley started the game brilliantly, kicking with the wind they were really successful in pinning Longlevens back – although there weren’t too many tests for Jack Sargent in goal.

Alfie Freeman got forward from right back but scuffed an effort wide, whilst Longlevens just about dealt with a number of balls into the box.

Levens settled as the half went on and saw a Sam Kelly header loop over the bar, before Henry Driver-Dickerson sent a Jayden Bee cross straight at Matt Adkins.

And just when the game seemed destined to be goalless at the break, Dursley struck – twice!

First, Joey Spill held off Teddy Pierce, before flicking the ball past Kelly and sliding his effort past the on-rushing Sargent.

And just before the half time whistle, Longlevens failed to clear their lines and Jake Hogg grabbed his first of the game, turning home Theo Browne’s cross.

But within six minutes of the restart, Longlevens had managed to level the game.

Lewis Vye managed to get in down the right a couple of times in quick succession, and after his first cross had been cleared, his second fell to Alex Knight, who rifled home from close range.

Thomas Whorral then broke down the right hand side, before his ball in was headed home by Vye – who was particularly impressive on the day.

After a frantic opening to the half, Dursley settled down and nearly took the lead just past the hour mark, but Spill’s effort crashed off the foot of the post.

From there the game became tense and tightly locked. Both sides cancelled each other out, like they had done for the bulk of the first half.

Longlevens managed to get Knight on the ball more and more and it was no surprise when his cross was side-foot volleyed home by Driver-Dickerson to seemingly complete the turnaround.

But with eight minutes to go, again Longlevens failed to clear their lines and after Sargent was rounded and the original effort blocked, Hogg was on hand to fire home his second and restore parity.

Then, just when both teams would have started thinking about penalties, the visitors were awarded one for a mistimed tackle.

After originally giving a free kick, the referee consulted his assistant and a penalty was awarded.

Up stepped Dursley Town Captain Billy Mann to send his side into the final, where they will play Bishops Cleeve after they beat Hallen in the other Semi Final.

The two sides meet again in the Semi Finals of the HFA Giantkillers Cup on Thursday 27 March, with Longlevens in league action on 24th at home to Ledbury Town, whilst Dursley aren’t in action until the Semi Final.

Longlevens U18s: Sargent, Esson, Boakes, Pierce, Snelgrove, Demrick, Vye, Knight, Whorrall, Bee, Driver-Dickerson

Subs: Ball, Mitchell, Humphris, Kelly, Thompson

Dursley Town U18s: Adkins, Freeman, B Mann, Lewis, H Hogg, A Mann, Poskett, Weyman, Spill, Browne, J Hogg

Subs: Price, Jones, Thomas, Stones

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Joey Spill (Dursley Town U18s)