Late Martin effort separates Longlevens Reserves and FC Lakeside in GNSL
Brad Martin’s 85th minute strike was enough to see Longlevens Reserves edge past FC Lakeside 1-0, on Saturday afternoon.
After a goalless first half, both sides looked destined for a stalemate until fellow substitute Jayden Bee got clear down the right and his ball across the box was turned home by Martin.
It was tough on Lakeside, who had a number of chances in the first half and probably warranted a point from the game for their efforts.
Longlevens remain level on points with 3rd place Dursley Town, with games left each, as they bid to be the best of the rest, with the top two so far away in the GNSL Division One table.
Lakeside played better than their 9th place suggested, with Matt Holdaway hitting both the bar and post in the first half.
Both sides are back in action in midweek, with Lakeside hosting Bibury on Tuesday night, whilst Longlevens Reserves head to Shortwood United’s Meadowbank to face Rodborough Old Boys on Wednesday evening.
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Longlevens Reserves had the ball in the net early on, but James Barnett was judged to have fouled Lakeside keeper George Kirtland, meaning Kieran Squires effort was ruled out.
Squires went close with an overhead kick minutes later, before Holdaway nearly scored “Goal of the Season.”
Holdaway stuck his leg behind him to flick the ball over his shoulder on the edge of the box, flicked the ball over the defender and sent a left footed volly crashing off the bar.
Jack Sargent then produced a good save to keep out the follow up from 18 yards.
Longlevens were left furious of 36 minutes, with another Squires effort ruled out – this time for offside.
After a flick on found Matt Emmett on the right side of the box, he centred for Squires to tap home but after a late flag the referee spoke to this assistant and ultimately ruled the goal out.
Lakeside nearly got their noses in front just before the break, with Holdaway brushing off Ben Williams, poking past Sargent but seeing his effort come back off the foot of the post.
Kirtland did well to deny Matt Emmett after the break, after neat build up between Squires and James Barnett.
The keeper was called into action again on the hour mark, with Callum McLean’s effort curled straight at Kirtland.
Holdaway had the ball in the net for the visitors minutes later, but again this was ruled out for offside.
Martin and Bee came on for the hosts and the latter worked a yard of space before seeing his effort saved by Kirtland on 66 minutes.
Lakeside were reduced to ten for 10 minutes after Liam Hope continued to show dissent over a decision after being warned to be quiet.
And in that tune, the hosts landed the killer blow when Bee got down the right hand side and his ball into the box was slotted home with a simple Brad Martin finish.
Both sides will take positives into their final five games of the season, but know on another day the result could have been very different.
Longlevens Reserves: Sargent, Dyson, Kavanagh, Williams, Spencer, McLean, Emmett, Sutherland, Squires, Morrissey, Barnett
Subs: O’Connor, Bee, Rinaldi, Martin, Troke
FC Lakeside: Kirtland, Adams, Dean, R Cleal, Wells, Hope, Holdaway, Arkell, Wilkinson, Richards, Abazied
Subs: Seers, A Cleal, Greene, Vaux
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Ollie Morrissey (Longlevens Reserves)
NOMINATE: Submit your nominations for the Severn Sport End of Season Awards 2025 HERE
