Defensive frailties cost Longlevens again as Pegasus continue strong start

Longlevens fell to a third defeat in a row on Wednesday night, suffering a 3-1 defeat to Hereford Pegasus at Saw Mills.

Following Saturday’s 9-1 defeat against Binfield in the FA Cup, Levens conceded another three poor goals on a night that saw them create a number of chances – without showing the killer instinct in the final third.

Carlos Moreira’s header saw Pegasus break the deadlock, before a free kick was diverted on his own crossbar by Jack Byard, with Matt James tapping home from a yard out – to leave Longlevens two goals behind at the break.

Whilst pushing for a route back into the contest, an Ollie Long pass was intercepted and after Winman saved the initial effort from Isaac Cooper, former Levens man Harrison Iddles followed up to compile the misery for the hosts and to send his side top of the table after six games.

Substitute Lewis Rose reduced arrears late on, firing into the bottom corner from 18 yards to cap off a good cameo on the night from the forward.

The defeat follows the loss against Binfield and a 3-1 defeat at SC Inkberrow last midweek – however Levens have only played three league games and know the big games will continue to come thick and fast.

Longlevens have a crucial next month or so, for their ambitions this season, with a trip to Malmesbury Victoria in the FA Vase at the weekend – before a Derby Day with Tuffley Rovers on Bank Holiday Monday.

Elsewhere, Craig Martin & Michael Palmer’s side have fixtures with Brimscombe & Thrupp, Lydney Town and Pershore Town that will help shape their first half of the season.

Longlevens, by their own admission, benefitted from a good first half of the season last term – collecting only 12 points from a possible 54 after Christmas and with two sides set to face relegation this season, they will need to emulate that, if not better it this time around.

Wednesday’s game saw the game start with chances at either end. Cam Williams blasted wide for the hosts, before Kane Winman produced a good save to keep out a rebound to a blocked free kick.

Jordan Williamson was denied twice in quick succession moments later, with first Shaun O’Connor and then Ed Richardson producing superb blocks to keep him out.

And on twenty minutes, Moreira snuck in unmarked to head home from a free kick into the box – similarly to the opening three goals on Saturday.

Alex Gayner skipped past a Pegasus defender, before flashing an effort across the face of goal.

An unlucky second goal put Pegasus two goals ahead, ten minutes before the break, as a free kick from the left was flicked onto his own crossbar by Jack Byard – before Matt James tapped home from close range.

But Longlevens had a number of chances to pull themselves back into the contest before the break, with Shaun O’Connor firing over, before Alex Gayner sent his follow up off target after Fin Gwillim had an effort saved.

Gwillim then headed a free kick onto the crossbar, but unlike the Pegasus second, the ball fell clear for the defenders.

Longlevens had two further chances as the clocked ticked towards the 45th minute, with Alex Gayner firing straight at the keeper when slipped in one on one – with his effort sent looping towards goal and hooked off the line.

Fin Gwillim continued to be a threat, but fired into the side netting after cutting in from the left.

Longlevens started the second half brightly, but after Ollie Long’s pass to Dan Gayner was cut out, Pegasus countered four on two and despite Winman saving from Cooper, Harrison Iddles was on hand to score against his former club.

That goal sucked life out of the game for the next 15 minutes or so, but following a triple substitution for the hosts, they continued to press to try and reduce the deficit.

Fin Brown sent a volley from the edge of the box, that looked destined for the top corner – but once again Jenson Kilroy produced a great save to palm away.

Cam Williams’ cross was headed wide by Lewis Rose, before Dan Gayner had an effort blocked and Dan Roddis’ ball across the six yard box saw no one in red gamble for a tap in.

But Rose got his side on the scoresheet in stoppage time, turning on the edge of the box before drilling an effort into the bottom corner.

There were plenty of positives to take for Longlevens, but also plenty to work on ahead of a busy Bank Holiday weekend.

Longlevens: Winman, Parker, Byard, Long, Richardson, Brown, Williams, O’Connor, A Gayner, D Gayner, Gwillim

Subs: Knight, Moroney, Roddis, Rose, Mason

Hereford Pegasus: Kilroy, James, Fletcher, Thompson, Kahaki, Briscoe, Iddles, Pitman, Cooper, Williamson, Moreira

Subs: Hipwell, Johnston, Price, Burgess, Gwynne

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Cam Williams (Longlevens)

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