Longlevens earn FA Cup replay with unlikely comeback

Longlevens came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 away at Winslow United, earning a FA Cup Preliminary Round replay in midweek.

Gino Valenti’s double saw the visitors secure a draw that looked ever so unlikely when Ryan Freshwater doubled Winslow’s advantage, which was given to them in the first half by Ty Deacon.

But an instant response saw Levens reduce the arrears immediately, before Valenti’s 86th minute equaliser set up a replay for Wednesday night.

Levens will be hoping the momentum of the final twenty minutes can be taken into Wednesday ahead of a big Bank Holiday weekend, which sees them host Cribbs next Saturday before a Bank Holiday Monday showdown with local rivals, Tuffley Rovers.

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Winslow started well, however it was Longlevens who had the first chance of the game – with Ethan Vaughan firing a free kick into the wall.

Harry Scott was a lively outlet on the left hand side for the hosts, but saw his effort saved well enough by Brei.

Scott fizzed another effort in moments later, but once again Brei got enough of his body behind it to keep the shot out.

Lewis Rose headed a Cam Williams cross straight at Winslow keeper Jake Stronge before Brei was forced into another smart stop to keep out Abu Khan.

Stronge had to leap to his left to keep out another Vaughan free kick, with Winslow going down the other end and breaking the deadlock.

A corner into the Longlevens box was headed down at the back post, with Ty Deacon on hand to nod home from close range.

Scott had two further efforts before half time, but saw his efforts deflected wide on both occasions.

Longlevens were much better with the ball after half time, but fell further behind just after the hour mark when they fell asleep at a free kick and Ryan Freshwater was given the freedom of Winslow to side foot past Brei.

Levens looked dead and buried, but reacted instantly. Luke Troke and Cam Williams were involved in a neat move that resulted in Lewis Rose crossing from the right and Valenti sliding the ball home.

Brad Martin, Alex Parsons, Lewis Driscoll, Tom Spencer and Lewis Vye were all introduced as the visitors chased a leveller and the chance looked to have come and gone when Martin combined with Jack Byard down the left and after Driscoll touched past the diving Stronge, the ball fell for Alex Knight who fired over from the corner of the six yard box.

And just when it looked like the tie was done, Ollie Long flicked a corner on at the near post and the ball fell for Valenti to smash home his second and secure the replay.

Winslow pressed for a winner in injury time, but Brei held a header from a corner and both sides will lock horns again in midweek – but will both be delighted to be in Monday’s draw.

Winslow United: Stronge, Smith, Khan, Flanagan, Freshwater, Valentine, Goss, Kerr, Deacon, King, Scott

Subs: Rowe, Okunnu, Stratton, Nicholson, Munroe, Odley

Longlevens: Brei, Beardsell, Byard, Long, Troke, Hunt, Vaughan, Williams, Valenti, Rose, Knight

Subs: Spencer, Davies, Driscoll, Vye, Parsons, Adichareh, Martin

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Gino Valenti, Ollie Long & Cam Williams (Longlevens)