Longlevens Ladies end winless run with clinical second half display against AEK Boco Reserves

Longlevens Ladies ended a run of three defeats in a row, coming from behind to beat AEK Boco Ladies Reserves at Innsworth Lane.

After Boco had taken the lead through a Shania Powell penalty, Longlevens went into the half time break level, thanks to Lorraine Smith’s header.

Quickfire goals from Liv Kosylowicz and Lauren Mills put the hosts 3-1 up with half an hour to go.

And Rob McGeever’s side added gloss to the result with a second from Mills and a header from Ashleigh Lloyd, either side of the 90 minute mark.

The win sees Levens move up to 5th place in the GCWFL Division One table, whilst Boco sit in 8th place and are still winless after their first five league outings.

The game started with both sides creating great chances, with Powell and Kosylowicz both beating the offside trap but finding their efforts saved by keepers Jade Turner and Shelby Lacey.

Kosylowicz thought she had opened the scoring on 6 minutes, when she chased a long ball forward and Lacey’s clearance flew in off the Levens forward – only for the offside flag to cut short the celebrations.

Sarah Burford and Hannah Bingham both then fired wide, as Longlevens continued to carve out good opportunities.

But it was Boco who struck first after Lorraine Smith was adjudged to have handled in the box.

Powell stepped up to stroke her penalty past Turner to give the visitors the lead.

Lauren Mills’ set pieces were looking dangerous throughout the half and it was no surprise to see one of her corners leading to the leveller.

Mills swung a corner right on the money and Smith rose highest to head home at the back post.

Another Mills corner three minutes later was knocked down by Ashleigh Lloyd, but Smith could only fire at Lacey from close range.

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Two goals in five second half minutes saw Longlevens take the lead and stretch it before the hour mark.

First, Mills cut back in the box, before seeing her effort saved by Lacey – with Kosylowicz on hand to fire into an empty net.

Then, Kosylowicz got to the right byline, before cutting across for Mills to slide in her first of the afternoon.

Hannah Bingham and Annie Baker had chances blocked and fired wide respectively, as the hosts looked to kill the game and make life difficult for a young Boco side, who couldn’t get going in the second half.

The game was put beyond any doubt in the 89th minute as Kosylowicz broke into the box and after her effort was blocked, the ball span in favour of Longlevens and Mills tapped home her second.

Injury time brought a moment of confusion as Longlevens scored two goals in a matter of seconds and on the sidelines we didn’t know if either, both or neither had been awarded!

Another corner from Mills ended up in the back of the net, with Ash Lloyd powering a header into an empty net after Lacey had gone down.

The official spoke to the Assistant on the far side, appeared to say free kick but indicate to the centre circle.

Boco played the ball back to their defence, to seemingly take a free kick, only for Mills to latch onto the ball and curl in what she thought would have been her hattrick.

No one really knew what was happening, but the official confirmed Lloyd’s header had counted and the hosts had won 5-1. Bizarre.

Next weekend sees another difficult test for AEK Boco Reserves, who head to South West Regional Premier side Frampton Rangers in the County Cup, whilst Longlevens have a free weekend following receiving a bye in the competition.

Longlevens Ladies: Turner, Valenzuela, Lloyd, Smith, Martin, Burford, Chant, Bingham, Baker, Mills, Kosylowicz

Subs: Phelps, Poole, Davis

AEK Boco Ladies Reserves: Lacey, Bethell, Wilson, Cooper, Milton, Hale, McMillan, Shipp, Allen, Smith, Powell

Subs: Wallis, Ball, Ackbar

C Martin Roofing Player of the Match – Ashleigh Lloyd (Longlevens Ladies)