Tuffley end ten year wait for home victory over local rivals Longlevens thanks to Walters brace
Tuffley Rovers ended their decade long wait for a home victory over City rivals Longlevens, with Connor Walters’ second half double enough for a 2-0 win.
Rovers went into the game having made a great start to their 2026/27 Hellenic Premier campaign, whilst Longlevens were coming into the contest without a league win.
After a goalless first half that saw Tuffley create the quantity of chances, it was Levens who had the best opportunity of the half when Fin Gwillim squandered a one on one.
Walters scored his first 13 seconds into the second half, before racing clear in injury time to slot home a second to secure Rovers’ first win over Longlevens since Boxing Day 2016.
On that day, Rovers legend Warren Mann was the match winner in a 1-0 win and notably, current Rovers skipper Luke Merchant played in goal for Longlevens on the day.
Neil Mustoe’s side end August in 3rd place in the Hellenic Premier table, having won four of their opening seven league matches.
For Buster Davies & Pete Boyle’s side, life couldn’t be anymore different, as they sit in 19th place having lost four of their opening six league games.
Both sides are at home on Saturday, with Rovers hosting Hallen at Glevum Park, whilst Longlevens welcome Malmesbury Victoria to Saw Mills.
The first half saw Longlevens keeper Drew Brei make a string of saves to keep his side in the contest.
Brei made an outstanding stop to deny Walters on 18 minutes, throwing a glove up to tip over the in-form striker’s sweeping volley.
Levens’ American goalkeeper made another save on 23 minutes to deny Walters, as the visitors struggled to get a foot on the ball and settle into the contest.
Brei denied Walters again on 28 minutes, after Tom Spencer blocked Walters’ initial effort following a cross from the left.
Then out of nowhere, the visitors worked the best chance of the half as Fin Gwillim broke through on goal.
The striker tried rounding Luke Merchant, but after the Rovers keeper forced him wide, Gwillim could only fire wide.
Longlevens enjoyed a five minute spell after that chance where they actually had the ball and although couldn’t create anything of note, were able to calm the contest down heading into half time.
That was until the 43rd minute when Antonio Pirelli beat Brei from 30 odd yards, only to see his effort crash back off the bar – with the recycled ball pulled back for Jacob Eakers to sweep wide.
Rovers grabbed their lead 13 seconds into the second half though when a ball forward bounced through for Walters, who toe poked past the on-rushing Brei and the hosts had a deserved lead.
Brei threw another glove up to palm over from Walters on 54 minutes, as the second half saw Rovers keep their visitors at an arms length and saw the game out.
Rovers added their second two minutes into injury time, when after winning the ball in their own half, the ball was played through for Walters who charged in on goal before clipping past Brei to leave him no chance.
Frustratingly for Levens, they forced Luke Merchant into his only meaningful save in the 93rd minute when subtstitute Theo Bevan was picked out on the left side of the box, but Merchant got down to his right to save at his near post.
Rovers will be going into September full of confidence, with a striker bang in form – whilst Longlevens go into September on the complete opposite end of the spectrum and needing to go back to the drawing board.
Tuffley Rovers: Merchant, Lewis, McLean, Williams, Mustoe, McGuirk, Warrington, Eakers, Walters, Mason, Pirelli
Subs; Simpson, Allen-Ezequiel, Jones, Clifford, Ben Ali
Longlevens: Brei, Beardsell, Byard, Long, Spencer, Williams, Vaughan, Rose, Gwillim, Driscoll, Valenti
Subs: Hunt, Vye, Bevan, Parsons, Adichareh
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Connor Walters (Tuffley Rovers)
READ MORE: Check out the list of August Bank Holiday Monday’s results right here
