Cribbs F C 4 - 4 Longlevens AFC

Braving the Friday evening rush hours at the Almondsbury motorway inter-sections everybody arrived on time and safely at Cribbs F C’s impressive football and sports ground facilities which is supported by Bristol Rovers F C.

Kicking off on a large billiard table type of a pitch with an excellent playing surface Levens were snookered in the very first minute when unfortunately a Cribbs ball long over the top was clearly well offside down the right but the linesman had a very early lapse of concentration and no flag. The right winger pulled a ball back across the edge of the area. Cribbs centre forward took the pass well, set himself up well; side stepped the defence and hit a hard low shot which went in off the near post and rebounded into the far side of the net pocket. A shock for Levens. Please wake up officials when we KO!

Play was very even and both sides played excellent keep possession football on an even surface pitch with Cribbs probably having a high % of keep ball but Levens using it more dangerously in the Cribbs defensive third. In fact great movement by the Levens attackers and midfielders were creating several put away chances. However it took the winning of a corner and thus crossed in for left back Craig Beaton to shoulder and ear lobe in for the equalizer!

Cribbs were always dangerous in possession and on the edge of Levens box a tremendous shot came in and nearly bust the roof of the Levens net. To close the shot down failure would be critical as the set up and shot was incredibly quick. 1-2 down but looked like a high scoring game unfolding!?

Levens were still picking up the game going forward and McDonald; the Martins; Ryan Dunn and O’Connor were causing Cribbs defence many problems and their goalkeeper made several good saves. But it was Dave Merrick bursting past and through midfield in typical style and then with lay off as a one two with Brad Martin set himself up to drive into the net. Great goal Mr.Merrick again 2-2
Craig Martin was unceremoniously chopped down on the edge of the box and from the free kick with several players vying to take it Shaun O’Connor drove all the way on the ground pass the “wall” and into the net. Not often see free kick goals so well placed on the ground. 3-2 big turn around and felt Cribbs coaching staff nearly bursting into “We are not singing anymore!” only joking guys….certainly went quiet in their Cribbs technical area.

However the turnaround and joy did not last long and Cribs made it 3-3 when winger cut in from the left and unleased a tremendous 25 yard drive beating keeper Ollie Hall by his far post. Seems the opposition a lately put their shooting boots on when playing Levens. Half time entertaining and high scoring game.

Second half very similar to the first half a possession contest but a bit more disjointed for both sides. Cribbs centre forward 9 was running the defence a bit ragged and a constant threat in a young looking team who play in the Toolstation Western Premier League all with good footie pedigrees/CVs from the ex-Bristol academies. Levens were still creating chances and generally was even contest. But in the old “inside right position” Cribbs broke away again and when the shot came in Harris could only half stop as it flew in the net – 3-4 and it we all thought it was all over for Levens but Craig Martin was still on the pitch and Ed Smyllie up with the attack chipped a ball to the far post O’Connor headed down; goalie slight fumble and Craig Martin was lurking to stab home from 12 inches or about 30 centimetres in new money. 4-4 we deserved that and that’s how it finished.

An excellent performance by both teams some quality fast tempo football by both teams and a good way to conclude Levens preseason programme. No MOM as all did well.

Thank you Cribbs FC for the lovely pitch; the smashing food and hospitality have a good season guys! You have a young talented well coached and drilled squad.

On Tuesday night 2-8-16 the real season starts against unpredictable Oxford City Nomads in the H P League KO 7.30 p.m. come and support Levens at fortress Sawmills!

LONGLEVENS SQUAD on the night = Hall; Harris; Beaton; Smyllie; Sausman; McDonald; Westcarr; Barnard; O’Conner; B.Martin; C.Martin; Merrick; Hughes, Dunn

Injured but in attendance: - Kavanagh; Montgomery; Welch

LONGLEVENS TEAM MANAGEMENT & COACHING TEAM:-
James French; Tim Hall; Tony Dunn