Williams worldie sets Longlevens on their way to victory over Worcester Raiders
Cam Williams’ 19th minute stunner broke the deadlock as Longlevens claimed a 3-1 win over Worcester Raiders – their first ever victory against their opponents.
After two 1-1 draws in previous meetings, Levens claimed all three points for the first time since the visitors joined the Hellenic League in the 2022/23 season.
Williams’ stunning dipping volley was added to by Shiyak Sutherland, before Jordan Murphy pulled a goal back before half time.
But Brad Martin’s 48th minute effort was the final goal of the afternoon, as Buster Davies and Pete Boyle’s side moved up into 8th place in the Hellenic Premier table with their sixth league win from their opening sixteen league matches.
And after a run of two draws and a defeat, it is also Longlevens’ first win since their 1-0 win against Highworth at the end of September – and it is their fourth home win in the league in a row, since their Derby Day defeat against Tuffley in August.
Longlevens move onto a run of three all-Gloucestershire fixtures, which sees them head to Cinderford Town in the Challenge Cup, before heading to Cirencester Town in the league.
All before they host Slimbridge at Saw Mills for the second time this season on Saturday 15 November.
The game started in cagey fashion, with Kiyan Baker-Mckay having an early effort just over the Longlevens goal.
Ollie Long had the first shot for the hosts, but he fired straight at Charlie Emery after Williams’ free kick was nodded down to him.
And Williams stepped up to let fly from 30 yards on 19 minutes as he let the ball bounce across him before hitting a dipping volley, which left Emery no chance.
Jordan Murphy should have levelled instantly for Raiders when he found himself free in the box, but he could only side foot straight at Brei from close range.
The hosts were defending as a unit and looking to spring forward on the counter, with Sutherland and Alex Knight in particular looking to get as close to Brad Martin as possible.
With just three minutes left of the half, Sutherland kept the ball in play on the counter, drove into the box and smashed past Emery to make it 2-0.
But Levens, who have dropped points from winning positions in their last three games would have felt a sense of Deja Vu when Murphy reduced arrears with a blast from 18 yards right on half time.
Any nerves at half time would have eased three minutes after the restart when Brad Martin leapt onto a loose ball at the back for Raiders and clipped an effort over Emery who was in no mans land.
At 3-1 Longlevens looked fairly comfortable and were even more so when substitute Owen Giles was forced off with an injury after a 50/50 with Martin and with Raiders using all of their subs, they had to see out the remaining 15 minutes with 10 men.
As expected, the 10 men tried to force a way back into the contest, but Cam Williams forced Emery into a save and sub Ben Lodge nearly benefitted from a slight misjudgement at a long ball as the hosts had the best chances of the closing stages.
In the end, the Longlevens back line and goalkeeper Drew Brei worked hard as a unit and deservedly went on to secure all three points, moving Levens onto 21 points meaning they have 2/3 of their points tally from last season by the end of October.
Longlevens: Brei, Roddis, Wells, Long, R Williams, Holmes, Beardsell, C Williams, Martin, Knight, Sutherland
Subs: Byard, Sherchan, Driscoll, Rankin, Lodge
Worcester Raiders: Emery, Eades, Dyde, Donnelly, Stoddart, Noke, Baker-Mckay, King, Reid, Murphy, Baker
Subs: Cottrill, Giles, Olaloko, Taylor, Jakeways
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Cam Williams (Longlevens)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here
