Longlevens turn to Gayner twins in search of goals this season
Longlevens have secured the services of Dan and Alex Gayner for the 2024/25 season, as they look to improve their fortunes in front of goal.
The Gayner twins join from Shortwood United after scoring 28 goals combined last season – more than half of Longlevens’ total for their whole league campaign.
Having played for both Longlevens and Shortwood in pre-season, the pair have confirmed their switch to Saw Mills this week and were part of an impressive first half display from Levens in their 5-0 win over Ledbury Town on Friday night.
It was Levens’ final pre-season fixture ahead of their league opener with Worcester Raiders on Wednesday night, and they boasted a number of new and returning faces in their starting XI.
Kane Winman is back between the sticks after Matty Wieczorek’s departure, whilst Ollie Long will be partnered at the back by Jack McCormack – who is a direct replacement for Luke Hitchman, who left to join Fairford Town and Jack Byard, who returns to Longlevens having lived in Australia for the last couple of years.
Sam Kelly has joined the club from Gala Wilton, whilst Cam Williams has the potential to be like a new signing, having missed a large portion of last season due to injury.
Completing the front line with the Gayners, Longlevens have added Fin Gwillim to their ranks before he goes back to university in September.
And it was Gwillim who opened the scoring in the win against Ledbury, cutting in from the left and seeing his effort squeeze past Kieran Derbyshire.
A beautiful team goal produced the second of the night, with Williams flicking out wide to Jack Beardsell, who in turn played a diagonal to Kelly and his ball across goal was turned home by Dan Gayner.
Gayner leapt onto a poor back pass before being brought down in the box, allowing Beardsell to blast home a third, as Longlevens upped the gears in the first half an hour.
A fourth was soon to follow, with Dan Gayner’s pull back finished off by Williams, who saw his effort deflect into the bottom corner.
Gwillim rounded off the scoring just before half time, as Kane Winman’s long goal kick found Shaun O’Connor in acres of space. O’Connor knocked it wide to Kelly, who once again got forward from left back and his cross was diverted in off the post by the former Abbeymead Rovers forward.
The win caps off a very competitive pre-season campaign for Longlevens, who are looking to improve on their 16th place finish last season.
Michael Palmer and Craig Martin know that a strong first half of the season saved them from being dragged deeper into the relegation fight last term, but with two sides set to be relegated this season, they will once again need to start well.
Longlevens begin their 2024/25 season at home to Worcester Raiders on Wedneday night, before they welcome Winslow United to Saw Mills in the FA Cup next Saturday (3 August).
