Longlevens Reserves on cloud nine after crucial win over Bredon
Longlevens Reserves claimed a crucial 9-0 win over Bredon, to keep their GNSL Division One title bid very much alive.
Dale Rawlins’ side went into the game looking to make amends to their defeat against Tewkesbury Town just over a week ago and two goals in the first 10 minutes had them settled down for a big score.
After Alex Knight opened the scoring in the fourth minute, Shiyak Sutherland stepped up to score his first from the game, from the penalty spot.
Fin Clift added a third to leave Levens 3-0 to the good after 18 minutes, before he and Knight added a second a-piece to have the hosts 5-0 up at half time.
Sutherland added two efforts in quick succession just before the hour mark to add gloss to the scoreline, before Luke Troke crossed for Dan Powell to add his name to the scoresheet.
But Sutherland would have the final say, claiming a fourth goal with just over 10 minutes to go.
The result could be crucial in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One title race, with Levens starting Tuesday night’s game six points and four goals behind leaders, Chalford.
Now, with Chalford set to host Bibury on Thursday night, their lead over Longlevens is down to three points and they now trail by five goals.
Longlevens still have three games remaining, compared to Chalford’s and second place Tredworth’s two – plus they know the top two are set to face-off in the final match of the season.
The game started with the hosts looking to strike early and after Knight found space in the box, he fired across goal and into the bottom corner on four minutes.
Then, after a foul in the box, Sutherland converted from the spot – before a neat passage of play ended with Fin Clift sweeping home from just inside the box.
Sutherland had an effort saved as the game ticked into the final 10 minutes of the first half, but Longlevens would add to their tally moments later when Knight was picked out on the edge of the box and his effort deflected into the bottom corner.
The hosts won the ball almost instantly and after being played through on the edge of the box, Clift slotted home his second of the evening.
In the early stages of the second half, Longlevens pressed for more goals and sensed a bit of blood. Sutherland scored his second in emphatic style – firing into the top corner from 25 yards!
From there Jack Bonser and Billy Stokes entered the field of play and the latter cut back for Sutherland to blast home his third of the night, with over half an hour still to play.
Luke Troke and Dan Powell came on to replace the wing backs and the two combined with just over 15 minutes to go as Troke’s cross was side foot volleyed home by Powell.
Powell’s effort was the first time he has found the net since signing for Rawlins and it was an added bonus to what was a great night for the Levens Reserves manager.
Sutherland fired home his fourth of the night from the edge of the box, to round off the scoring with just over ten minutes to go.
Next up for Rawlins’ side is a trip to English Bicknor on Saturday afternoon, before heading to Lydney Town Reserves next Tuesday night.
Longlevens: Ranken, Kent, Kavanagh, Barnett, McLean, Callinan, Knight, O’Connor, Sutherland, Emmett, Clift
Subs: Powell, Blackburn, Stokes, Troke, Bonser
Bredon: Beresford, D Turner, Dorell, Leary, Moore, M Byde, S Byde, Sutherland, B Turner, S Jones, Harris
Subs: N Jones, Owen, Huggins, Clough
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Shiyak Sutherland (Longlevens Reserves)
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