Beardsell at the double as Longlevens end season with a win
Jack Beardsell ended the season as Longlevens’ top goalscorer after scoring two in his side’s 2-1 win over Thornbury Town.
The two sides met for their final games of tough 2023/24 campaigns, with both sides doing incredibly well to avoid relegation and compete in a tough Hellenic Premier division.
Beardsell’s first half double had the visitors 2-0 up at the break, before Joe Guest nodded home for Thornbury to set up a nervy finish.
But Michael Palmer’s side held on to secure a 10th league win of a tricky season.
Longlevens went into the game with a scratch side, which saw Co-Manager Craig Martin having to play the final 15 minutes, replacing centre-back turned makeshift striker, Ben Williams – who had a fantastic game as the lone striker.
The game started with both sides feeling their way into the contest and limited goalmouth action in the early going.
But on 21 minutes, Luke Finch took the ball down on his chest before sliding through for Beardsell – who cut back onto his left foot and slotted home from just inside the box.
Finch nearly provided again moments later, but his free kick was headed over by Luke Hitchman.
Andreas Smolka had Thornbury’s only real effort of the half, but his shot was blocked by Luke Hitchman.
Then, with 10 minutes left of the half, Beardsell got himself on the end of a long ball forward before drilling into the bottom corner.
The second half saw Levens look to try and see the game out, but on a bobbly pitch, they nearly gifted Thornbury a way back into the game when a back pass nearly evaded Ronnie Newbury.
Luke Finch was replaced by Ollie Morrissey just before the hour mark, after he was cautioned for a challenge in midfield.
Thornbury grew into the contest, with Luke Franklin and Harry Brock introduced and after a cross from the right was turned out for a corner, Joe Guest headed home at the back post.
Harry Brock had Thornbury’s best chance of a leveller, after cutting in from the left, but his drilled effort was saved by Newbury.
Craig Martin saw a goalbound overhead kick blocked in the final minutes, before Beardsell was denied a hattrick by a good one-on-one block from Adam Clark.
In the end Longlevens held on and their season comes to a close with all three points on the road.
Thornbury Town: Clark, Guest, Parry, Sage, Sengor, Moss, Smolka, Kemper, Drew, McLaughlin, Wyatt
Subs: Wormwell, Franklin, Brock, Lee, Toghill
Longlevens: Newbury, Parker, Troke, Long, Hitchman, Aldridge, Finch, O’Connor, Beardsell, B Williams, Westrip
Subs: Martin, C Williams, Morrissey
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Jack Beardsell (Longlevens)
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