Bevan brace helps Longlevens U18s secure bragging rights against Tuffley Rovers

Theo Bevan scored two and put in a Man of the Match display as Longlevens U18s eased to a 5-0 victory over local rivals Tuffley Rovers in the CYFL Premier Division.

After a good start from Rovers, Longlevens struck through Theo Myles and Bevan and from there they never looked back.

Substitute Dan Carter added two of his own, either side of a second for Bevan as Longlevens kept taps on Hereford Pegasus, Slimbridge and Gloucester City at the top of the table.

Longlevens have played five, two and one game less than the three sides above them, with just ten points between the four of them as the title race begins to heat up.

As the game wore on Tuffley just couldn’t compete in the end and despite a spirited effort, were unable to really test Joe Poole in the Levens goal, but up until the final twenty minutes were more than in the contest.

Both sides are at home next week, with Longlevens welcoming Fairford Town on Monday night, before Tuffley entertain Cirencester Town at Glevum Park the following evening – with the two Gloucester rivals meeting again at Glevum Park at the end of March.

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Tuffley started well, with Precious Abeiya bursting through into the box in the opening 70 seconds, but skying his effort on the stretch.

And within two minutes the hosts struck. After a ball in from Oscar Perrins down the right, Theo Myles produced a great first touch to kill the ball dead in his path and with his second, slotted past Rovers keeper Drew Oliver.

A Longlevens corner saw a header cleared off the line as the opener settled Brandon Vance’s side down, with the second coming on 12 minutes.

Myles flicked a long ball into the path of Bevan, who drove forward and smashed his effort into the bottom corner.

Tom Worrall had a particularly good first half for the hosts, showing great pace to get forward and try to create chances for the likes of Bevan, Myles and Perrins. Worrall himself saw two good efforts kept out by decent Oliver saves.

Perrins combined well with Bevan in first half stoppage time, but the latter cut in and sent his effort high, wide and not so handsome.

The second half was a slow burner, the opening 10 minutes was cagey and both sides took a while to get back up to speed.

Bevan should have made it 3-0 just before the hour mark, but after intercepting a loose ball on the edge of the box, he fired straight at Oliver.

But Longlevens didn’t need to wait too long for the third, as substitute Dan Carter was picked out by Worrall’s cross and after a decent first touch, Carter sent the ball into the top corner with his first meaningful involvement in the game.

Bevan and Carter were then both denied by Oliver again, who was being kept busier than he would have liked to have been – but his side were struggling to test his opposite number thanks to a solid showing from defensive duo, Toby Boakes & Kaya Demirok.

The fourth came on 70 minutes, as Codie Beachus turned well in midfield after being found by the impressive Amo Jalloki. Beachus laid off for Freddie Milton, who in turn slid the ball into the path of Bevan and the forward blasted past Oliver, leaving him no chance.

Tuffley subs Tayo Williams and Daniel Adensi combined well before the latter had a shot deflected wide for a corner, but it would be the hosts who would round off the scoring.

After Milton combined well with Perrins, the ball deflected across the box for Carter to turn home and round off a comprehensive display for Vance’s side.

Severn Sport will continue our coverage of the CYFL in the coming weeks, starting with live updates on social media from Gloucester City vs Fairford Town on Friday night.

Longlevens U18s: Poole, Milton, Boakes, Demirok, Jalloki, Bee, Bevan, Tomlimson, Perrins, Myles, Worrall

Subs: Walsh, Wood, Ali, Beachus, Carter

Tuffley Rovers U18s: Oliver, Tiler, Staite, Bolger-Allen, Smith, Shyamapant, Jones, Mayo, Abeiya, Roberts, Venna

Subs: Rose, Mann, Zembery, Adensi, Williams

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Theo Bevan (Longlevens U18s)