Longlevens Reserves one win from GNSL title after hard fought victory over Bibury
Longlevens Reserves moved to the top of the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One table with a 4-0 victory over Bibury on Tuesday evening – leaving them one win away from securing the title.
A really disjointed and at times laboured first half performance from the hosts was cancelled out by two goals from young striker Theo Bevan, with Fin Rankin adding a brace of his own after half time.
Levens were much improved in the final third and transition after the break, with Bibury finding chances at a premium due to a solid shape in the middle of the park.
With an eleven day gap before their next league game, Longlevens Reserves know that they only need to win one of their remaining two league fixtures to secure the title.
Following their County Cup final against Sharpness next Wednesday night, Levens head to English Bicknor on Saturday 2 May, before heading to Oxstalls Park to play Tredworth Tigers on Wednesday 6 May.
For Bibury, they conclude their season on Saturday when they host Tredworth Tigers. Bibury know that a point of any kind should secure their Division One status for another season.
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Longlevens knew that the first goal was crucial, but weren’t able to create too many clear cut chances in the early goings.
Theo Bevan tested Jake Stevens from 20 yards, before Stevens shanked a clearance to Fin Rankin on 18 minutes, but the follow up effort was well saved.
Toby Summers curled over on 24 minutes, as the central defenders and midfield in Luke Kavanagh, Luke Troke, Rio Spencer and Kaya Demirok had the hosts solid and not looking like conceding a chance let alone a goal.
Two goals in two minutes at the end of the first half all but killed the contest too, with Theo Bevan combining with Brad Martin and Fin Rankin before heading home from Rankin’s cross.
Bevan slotted his second bang on 45 minutes after a ball into the box was headed down into his path.
Levens’ third goal in five minutes either side of the break calmed any remaining nerves in the side with Rankin on hand to slot home the rebound after Summers’ shot dipped on Stevens and the Bibury keeper couldn’t hold on.
The fourth goal was a neat, quick move from the hosts. James Barnett spun well in the centre circle before finding substitute Leo Marsden-Green, who in turn slipped the ball into the path of Rankin, who took a touch and fired past Stevens.
The final twenty minutes saw a really physical battle between two committed midfields, with Levens subs Mike Thornton and Harley Walsh making an impact off the bench.
Walsh had a couple of chances late on, but sliced his first effort wide under pressure from a corner, before Stevens’ out-stretched glove palmed away after Walsh was picked out by a recycled corner.
In the end, it wasn’t vintage from Longlevens Reserves, but they got the job done and produced enough to send the Whaddon contingent in attendance home at half time.
Craig Martin’s side move onto Kayte Lane for a tough Senior Amateur Cup final against the County League leaders.
Longlevens Reserves: Sargent, Morrissey, Barnett, Kavanagh, Troke, Demirok, Rankin, Spencer, B Martin, Marsden-Green, Summers
Subs: Kent, Thornton, Bevan, Walsh, C Martin
Bibury: Stevens, Davies, Harding, Hopegood, Carpenter, Willetts, Milner, Jones, Andrews, Keen, Fletcher
Subs: Shannon, Coles, Griffin, Knowles, Day
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Kaya Demirok & Rio Spencer (Longlevens Reserves)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
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READ MORE: Submit your nominations in the Severn Sport End of Season Awards 2026 by clicking here
