Longlevens U18s extend unbeaten home record with win over Fairford Town
Longlevens U18s kept up with the leading pack in the Cheltenham Youth Floodlit League Premier Division by beating Fairford Town 3-1 on Monday night – extending their unbeaten home record this season in the process.
Theo Myles and a penalty from Theo Bevan had Levens 2-0 up at half time and Brandon Vance’s side restored their two goal cushion soon after Mitch Baker pulled one back after half time when Codie Beachus fired home to make it 3-1.
Fairford, who were fielding a number of U16 players competed well enough, in the first half in particular, but were no match for their counterparts after the third goal had gone in.
The win means Longlevens boast a played eight, won eight record at Saw Mills in all competitions this season and extended their winning run in the league to six in a row.
Both sides have big away matches to come next, with Levens heading to Downend Saints this weekend and then Slimbridge next week in County Cup Semi Finals, whilst Fairford head to Ledbury Town next Tuesday night.
Both sides started brightly, with Roan Young brave in the Fairford goal by smothering Myles as Toby Boakes’ touch in the box fell for the striker.
Theo Bevan’s free kick from wide on the left bounced up over the Fairford goal, before Young saved well from Dan Carter’s long range effort.
On 20 minutes, Fairford were unfortunate to go behind as Myles robbed Baker on half way, appeared to overrun the ball straight to Young, but the keeper spilled the ball at Myles’ feet and left the forward a simple tap in.
Rhys Bevan and Oscar Graham combined well down the left for Fairford as they went in search of an equaliser, with the latter pulling back for Liam Wood, who saw his effort deflected through to Joe Poole.
Carter spun well in midfield for Levens before sending Theo Bevan through on goal, but the striker squandered a glorious chance to make it 2-0.
Bevan did get the second before half time though and again, it was unfortunate for Fairford.
Oscar Perrins chased a through ball and got a toe on it ahead of the on-rushing Young, the two collided and the referee had no choice but to give a penalty.
Bevan stepped up to find the bottom corner, beating Young for pace.
Fairford had to score next and they did! Just four minutes into the second half, a Baker met a corner at the back post and side foot volleyed into the roof of the net. Game on.
But just seven minutes later, Bevan twisted one way then the other, before crossing for Codie Beachus to blast into the top corner.
Dan Carter should have sealed the deal on the hour after racing through on goal, but he fluffed his one on one.
From there Fairford just struggled to lay a glove on their opponents and whilst Longlevens didn’t really push for a fourth, they controlled the game well enough to claim the points.
Longlevens U18s: Poole, Milton, Boakes, Demirok, Jallowki, Bee, Bevan, Tomlinson, Perrins, Myles, Carter
Subs: Walsh, Humphris, Beachus, Ali, Wood
Fairford Town U18s: Young, Taylor, Baker, Ponte, Graham, Keogh, Henrie, Morley, Wood, Ford, Bevan
Subs: Preece-Smith, Hicks, Davis, Byfield, Brazier
C Martin Roofing – Theo Bevan (Longlevens U18s)
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