Longlevens Reserves made to work hard in victory over Gala Wilton

Three second half goals saw Longlevens Reserves secure a 3-0 victory over Gala Wilton in Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One.

Brad Martin’s free kick and headers from Soyam Sherchan and James Barnett saw Longlevens keep up with leaders Whaddon United, who defeated fellow title rivals Dursley Town on Saturday afternoon.

It wasn’t as straight forward as the scoreline suggested though, with Gala putting in an impressive defensive performance to frustrate the hosts – in particular for the first 45 minures.

Longlevens Reserves find themselves six points behind Whaddon with two games in hand over the leaders – but they head to 4th place Dursley Town next weekend needing to keep their momentum going.

For Gala, they drop into the bottom three after Bredon’s win at Bibury, but Saturday’s performance suggested they have the capability to climb the Division One table in their remaining five league matches.

Next up for Gala is a tough home fixture against 3rd place English Bicknor next weekend.

The goalless first half saw a clear cut chance for each side, with Jorrell Sanniola getting in on goaal for Gala, only to round keeper Jack Sargent before seeing his effort blocked off the line by the sliding in Luke Troke.

For Levens, James Barnett had the two best chances. First, he chased a Soyam Sherchan ball forward and after lofting over Aaron Charman, his effort bounced in the six yard box but looped over the goal after hitting a bobble.

Barnett then took advantage of a brief moment of hesitation from the Gala keeper, getting onto a long ball but seeing his effort saved by Charman’s legs.

The hosts didn’t have to wait too long after half time for the lead, after Rylan Snelgrove was brought down 20 yards or so from goal, Brad Martin stepped up to curl home the free kick.

Martin crossed from the left five minutes later and Sherchan’s effort at the back post was blocked by his own man, Fin Rankin.

But Sherchan didn’t have to wait long for his goal, as he got up well to head home from Barentt’s cross.

Charman denied Barnett again on the hour mark, but could do no more two minutes later as Barnett nodded home from close range.

After Rankin and Jack Cornell both flashed balls across the six yard box, Rankin’s return was kept out by Charman, but Barnett was on hand to nod home and make it 3-0.

Corneell and Gala defender Sam Styman had efforts off target, before both sides created good chances in the final moments.

First, Sargent stood tall before beating away Mike Hodgins’ effort, after the Gala man shook off a defender.

Then in injury time, after Craig Martin flicked on to Rankin, the winger’s cross found Theo Bevan, who forced Charman into a smart stop low to his right.

In the end, the hosts deserved the win but Gala can take plenty of positives from a showing that didn’t look like a bottom three side for the most part.

Longlevens: Sargent, Morrissey, Snelgrove, Kavanagh, Troke, Demirok, Rankin, Sherchan, B Martin, Cornell, Barnett

Subs: Summers, Walsh, Thornton, Bevan, C Martin

Gala Wilton: Charman, Webb, Daney, Loveridge, Tilling, Styman, Francis, Said, Littleton, Hodgins, Sanniola

Subs: Niblett, Berry

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Jack Cornell (Longlevens Reserves)

READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here