Longlevens Reserves edge out Whaddon in fiery encounter
Longlevens Reserves earned a 3-2 win in a fiery, yet competitive fixture against Whaddon United.
Leon Marsden-Green had the hosts a goal to the good at the break, before Connor Barrowcliffe headed home a leveller 10 minutes after the restart.
But goals from Tom Spencer and Joey Haswell saw the hosts re-take and extend their lead to 3-1, before an ending full of controversy and high tension saw a disallowed goal, scuffles and then a Jordan Mitchell strike bring the game to within one as frustrations threatened to boil over in a big way.
For the most part the game was played with a the highest amount of competitiveness possible, with both sides willing to lay it all on the line to gain three points.
But it was apparent in the first 45 minutes that the game was getting out of control, with a couple of inconsistent decisions seeing frustrations building in both camps.
Following the break, tempers continued to flare as Whaddon grabbed their way back into the contest and both teams then fought for the win.
It was a difficult afternoon for the referee though, who would have needed eyes in the back of his head on more than one occasion – in particular when Whaddon thought they had scored in injury time through Zack Hodges, but the offside flag had been raised.
A scramble on the goal line which saw a number of players flying in resulted in Levens keeper Jack Sargeant down needing treatment – with a Whaddon player alleged to have kicked him in the face and spat on him, although it would have been simply impossible for the official to see it.
In the scramble, the net had been pulled off the post, so as the official dealt with that and the injured Sargeant, the game threatened to erupt into chaos – particularly after the referee then disallowed the goal a good 5 minutes after it had occurred.
Both sides head into Reg Davis Cup Quarter Final action in midweek, with Levens hosting Barnwood United and Whaddon United set to head to Stonehouse Town Reserves.
Whaddon had the better of the first 15 minutes or so, with Zack Hodges and Jordan Mitchell both firing off target with early efforts.
Joey Haswell had the first shot for Longlevens, but his effort was easily gathered by James Mitten.
From there Longlevens slowly took the initiative and broke the deadlock on 23 minutes when Josh Mason crossed from the right and Leo Marsden-Green was on hand to tap home.
Whaddon should have levelled four minutes later, but Jack Sargeant kept out an effort from Callum Denman, before Mitchell headed over the follow up from close range.
Alex Knight’s corner was headed across goal by Tom Spencer, with James Barnett unable to turn it home at the back post, as the hosts saw out the rest of the half to lead at half time.
Whaddon levelled soon after the restart though, as Connor Barrowcliffe headed home at the back post and that ignited the game back into life.
Joey Haswell had a free kick saved by Mitten and within seconds, Whaddon broke but Teddy Pierce did well to block Riley Butt’s effort.
On 65 minutes the temperature rose once again, as Joey Haswell was caught by a high boot from substitute Harry Locke, much to the annoyance of the visitors, who pleaded his innocence.
Tom Spencer had the ball in the back of the net with 15 minutes to go, but his headed was chalked off for offside, with Whaddon nearly scoring on the break, this time Rylan Snelgrove blocking from Butt.
Abdel Nasser came off the bench for Levens and after getting in behind Tommy Callinan, did well to cut in and see his shot turned out for a corner by Mitten.
From the corner, Spencer got up to head home and restore his side’s lead – setting up a barnstorming final 10 minutes.
Haswell then took advantage of a mix up between Mitten and Callinan, who left a ball for each other – Haswell nipping in before tapping home into the clear net.
Then came the explosion of frustration. Bang on 90 minutes.
Whaddon played a free kick into the box that wasn’t initially dealt with and with the ball and Sargeant both put into the net, all hell nearly broke loose.
The linesman’s flag had gone up, players on both sides were pushing and shoving all over and a number of little scuffles broke out – however once the game restarted and the goal disallowed, the bubbling turned to simmering fairly quickly.
Jordan Mitchell did reduce arrears in the 97th minute, but Longlevens held on for a deserved win in the end.
The return game is set for just before Christmas it what is certain to be a Christmas Cracker if this meeting is anything to go by.
One massive positive from the game is that Whaddon United’s Jordan Alderman came on in the second half – as he continues his comeback to football after missing nearly 18 months due to injuries suffered in a car accident. Being honest, it was great to see him back playing once again!
Longlevens Reserves host Barnwood United at Longford Lane and Whaddon head to the Ben’s Takeaway Stadium to play Stonehouse Town Reserves in Reg Davis Cup Quarter Finals on Wednesday night.
Longlevens Reserves: Sargeant, Pierce, Snelgrove, Barnett, T Spencer, R Spencer, Mason, Knight, Haswell, Cornell, Marsden-Green
Subs: Nasser, Demirok, Worrall, Bee, Martin
Whaddon United: Mitten, Barrowcliffe, Bedford, Callinan, Hodges, Butt, Jed Payton, Burrows, Mitchell, Oxley, Denman
Subs: D Alderman, J Alderman, Leach, Locke, Joe Payton
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Tom Spencer (Longlevens Reserves)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here
