Chambers grabs the winner as Tuffley show perfect reaction against Longlevens
Karnell Chambers’ first half effort was enough to see Tuffley Rovers get back to winning ways, beating local rivals Longlevens 1-0 in the Hellenic Premier.
The two sides squared off for the second time in 48 hours and after a lacklustre performance in the FA Vase on Saturday, Tuffley knew they had to be better to get all three points.
Rovers were in control for the majority of the contest, with Longlevens reduced to only a couple of clear cut chances in the 90 minutes.
After a number of early Tuffley crosses into the box, Fin Gwilliam headed wide for Longlevens on 7 minutes with the hosts first real venture forward.
Gwillim was then denied by Luke Merchant after a dribble through two defenders.
But from there, Tuffley seized the initiative and began to see more of the control and seem the most likely to break the deadlock.
On 21 minutes, Callum McGuirk’s superb diagonal ball picked out Chambers and after cutting in from the left, his driven effort zipped past the diving Billy Thomas and Rovers were ahead.
Just before the half hour mark, Thomas kept out a smart Kieran Alder effort, before Oli Barnes fired a free kick into the wall.
Longlevens made a change at the break, with Jay Wells replaced by Ben Lodge, but the hosts struggled for rhythm and quality on the ball.
Preston Mason had an effort blocked for Tuffley, before Barnes headed straight at Thomas as he met a Corey Warrington cross.
Barnes should have scored a second for the visitors with just over 20 minutes left, but he swept wide after a corner was nodded down towards him.
Longlevens’ best effort saw a free kick come in from wide on the left, but after a flick on, Ollie Long side footed across goal and agonisingly wide for the hosts.
McGuirk volleyed wide with 15 minutes to go, with the visitors feeling like the most likely to score the next goal.
Shiyak Sutherland fired wide as the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes, spinning in the box but dragging his effort wide.
Cam Williams came closest to an equaliser with 5 minutes remaining, but his free kick was beaten away by Merchant and Tuffley smothered clear.
In the end it was a fairly straightforward afternoon for Tuffley, who move up to 6th place in the Hellenic Premier table having won five of their first six matches.
For Longlevens, they remain winless in the league since their opening day win over Lydney Town.
Both sides are back in league action this weekend, with Tuffley welcoming Thornbury Town to Glevum Park, whilst Longlevens head to Roman Glass St George.
Longlevens: Thomas, Roddis, Wells, Long, R Williams, Holmes, Beardsell, C Williams, Gwillim, Driscoll, Sutherland
Subs: Byard, Sherchan, Cornwall, Lodge, Martin
Tuffley Rovers: Merchant, McLean, Clifford, Simpson, Herbert, McGuirk, Warrington, Alder, Chambers, Mason, Barnes
Subs: Walters, Smith, Bevan, Creed, Pritchett
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Macaulay Herbert & Eli Simpson (Tuffley Rovers)
