Honours even at Longlevens Reserves hold Chalford to draw in GNSL
Spencer Martin’s second half equaliser saw Longlevens Reserves earn a 1-1 draw against Chalford to keep up their Division One title push and dent their opposition’s.
Martin’s goal came after Andy Maryon had given Chalford a deserved lead at the break, after a first half that saw Chalford much the better side.
However, Longlevens rallied and made changes, with Phil Blackburn bolstering the midfield which ultimately lead to the leveller.
Over the 90 minutes, the draw felt like the right result, with two good sides not fully capitalising on good chances in front of goal.
The result sees Longlevens Reserves stay in 3rd place in the GNSL Division One table, and know if they win their two games in hand they will move to the top of the league.
Chalford know that if they win their two games in hand, they will still be behind the league leaders, Tredworth Tigers.
Ben Powell’s side had a couple of early attempts in the first 10 minutes, with Andrew Roberts firing over from the edge of the box and Maryon seeing a chip headed off the line by Billy Stokes.
As the visitors continued to press for an opener, Ben Minnican saw an effort blocked at the near post, before he was then on the end of a flick on, but fired wide.
On 20 minutes, Spencer Martin got forward for the hosts for the first time, and his cut back was slashed over by Jack Cornell.
Ryan Harry scuffed an effort wide on the half hour mark, after creating a pocket of space with a quick turn.
And with five minutes left of the half, Chalford broke the deadlock. After the hosts lost the ball in their own half, the ball was threaded through to Andy Maryon, who turned well and curled into the top corner.
Longlevens brought on Jack Bonser and Phil Blackburn at the break, and they improved the hosts – with Bonser sending a Leo Marsden-Green cross over from about 10 yards.
Marsden-Green found space on the left side of the box, just after the hour mark, but couldn’t fire past Adam Thomas – who stood tall and made a good save.
Moments before the equaliser, Chalford should have made it 2-0. Minnican’s free kick from the left bounced in the box onto the underside of the bar and somehow stayed out.
Dale Rawlins’ side would punish the visitors soon after, as Blackburn skipped past his man on the left hand side of the box, before crossing for Spencer Martin to squirm an effort past Thomas.
The best chance of a winner came in stoppage time, when Chalford sub George Parker sent a free header over from about 8 yards. He was beating himself up about it after the game, but it was a difficult header to get on top of.
Next up for Longlevens Reserves is a trip to Tewkesbury Town, whilst Chalford host Woolaston, with both games on Saturday afternoon.
Longlevens Reserves: Moroney, Kavanagh, Perry, McLean, Kent, Knight, B Stokes, Callinan, Cornell, Marsden-Green, Martin
Subs: Powell, Blackburn, Bonser, Chamberlain, J Stokes
Chalford, Thomas, Minnican, Outram, Benneyworth, Lock, Davis, Harris, Roberts, Keylock, Maryon, Harry
Subs: Underwood, Parker, Buckland, Barstow, Loftus
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Spencer Martin (Longlevens Reserves) & Ben Minnican (Chalford)
