Longlevens increase gap in survival race with win over Malmesbury Victoria
Longlevens produced an efficient display to beat relegation rivals, Malmesbury Victoria, 2-0 and extending the gap to the bottom two to 13 points in the process.
After a goalless first half, a close range effort from Jack Beardsell and a Sam Kelly header saw the visitors run out deserved winners on a crucial day.
Going into the game, Longlevens had won their last two, whilst Malmesbury had suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Lydney Town and Fairford Town.
With Lydney hosting Cirencester Town and leading themselves at the break, both sides knew that they had to win the second 45 minutes at the Flying Monk Ground.
Longlevens were the more likely of the two sides based on the balance of play in the first half, and once Beardsell fired home, the win was never in doubt.
Craig Martin & Michael Palmer’s side now know that by the time they kick off their final league game of the season, next weekend against Corsham Town, they could be mathematically safe as Malmesbury head to Fairford on Tuesday night and host Highworth Town on Thursday evening.
If Malmesbury were to lose both matches, then they will be relegated alongside Brimscombe & Thrupp.
Lydney know that if they win on Tuesday night at home to Thornbury Town that they are safe regardless of the remaining results in the Hellenic Premier.
The game itself started with both sides cancelling each other out with a sense of nervousness across the pitch.
Cam Williams had the first clear cut chance on 20 minutes, but saw his effort at the back post from a corner cleared off the line.
Williams saw his next effort palmed up and saved by Vics keeper Will Tubbs.
Tubbs was called into action again moments later, as he turned Shiyak Sutherland’s curling effort out for a corner.
The best chance of the half saw a long throw into the Malmesbury box flicked on by James Barnett, but Jack Beardsell scuffed wide from about eight yards.
Following half time, Jack Holmes began to really dominate the midfield for the visitors, who continued to defend superbly well and make life hard for the hosts.
It didn’t take too long for the breakthrough, with Shaun O’Connor recycling a corner and after an initial palm down by Tubbs, Beardsell was on hand to blast home from close range.
From there Longlevens controlled the game and the hosts really started to panic – but they lacked any quality on the ball to really make life difficult for Levens.
With just under 20 minutes left to go, Holmes’ diagonal free kick into the box was nodded home by Sam Kelly, who rose highest to beat Tubbs in the air.
Longlevens had chances to extend their lead, but saw Tubbs produce good saves from Beardsell and substitute, Joey Haswell.
The full time whistle saw both ends of the emotion scale, with Longlevens jubilant and Malmesbury looking defeated.
Vics will need to somehow dust themselves down for their trip to Cinder Lane on Tuesday night, whilst Longlevens will wait to see what is required at home to Corsham Town next weekend.
Malmesbury Victoria: Tubbs, Wilson, Berry, Toop, Coward, Francis, Jaggers, Hughes, Smith, Evatt, Moore
Subs: Love, Clarke, Gargett
Longlevens: Winman, Barnett, Byard, Long, R Williams, Holmes, C Williams, O’Connor, Beardsell, Kelly, Sutherland
Subs: Belboda, Knight, Roddis, Haswell, New
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Jack Holmes & Jack Byard (Longlevens)
READ MORE: Check out the list of results in and around Gloucestershire from Saturday right here
