Longlevens 1 - 1 Cirencester Town

The preseason matches of Longlevens come thick and fast and another home game at the Sawmills pitch (which is getting better and better ) saw one surprise and one shock pre-match - Cirencester fielded a very strong Southern Premier League squad and put out what may be their first choice starting 10 whilst having said that the shock was Levens back up keeper Mark Harris being loaned minutes before the kick off to the Centurions. Talk about the loan transfer window opening and shutting! Wonder what the fee was?

On a blustery cold dark night (for a change) the match got into full swing under the right conditions . Levens were the first to show and a good shot on target by O'Connor was well saved by Cirencester's very own Mark Harris. Ciren responded and a strong shot by Ross Langworthy was charged down and the ball squirmed through safely to keeper Hall.

With Ciren playing two leagues above Levens it was always going to be interesting to see where the measure and comparison of individual player and team qualities would be perceived. As expected Ciren settled in confident mode settling well on the ball in possession whilst Levens adopted a more direct style. Both styles were creating chances at either end of the pitch so honours and outcomes were fairly even on style and methodology.

Levens defence was in good shape and keeping discipline helped out by midfielders dropping back behind the ball - good tactics. Ciren were finding it difficult to break Levens down. Ollie Knight was showing up well down the left flank for the Centurions with some fine footwork and put in a great cross which Levens' Beaton did very well to head away the danger. Then experienced Charlie Griffin headed in but a slightly late flag gave offside - close call. This was followed by also experienced Lee Smith shooting just over when the Levens defence became stretched.

Levens O'Connor was on the end of a crushing tackle and limped off to be replaced by the live wire McDonald who was immediately in the action when a bad Ciren ball straight to his feet sent him clear and laying off to Dunn on the right wing and when the very good cross came in Montgomery's downward header was easily saved.

Again quick feet by Ollie Knight down the left had Levens in major trouble and Knight's good chip cross from the bi-line had Levens defence all at sea but fortunately was missed by everybody attackers too! Smith and Knight combined to get round the back of Levens defence but nothing came of such good football. Then following a forced corner....a follow up right wing cross by Ciren's Aiden Bennett brought a terrific punch out by keeper Ollie Hall and Mortimer Jones's follow up shot was wide.

0-0 at half time but a very creditable Longlevens performance against a strong skillful Cirencester side lacking a little bit of penalty area penetration and in defence at times unsettled by Levens more direct approach to goal.

From the start of the second half Levens took the game to Cirencester - a bending short by Craig Martin just curved past a post; then Beaton from left back after a knock on found himself surprisingly clear but was flagged - close indeed - ; next a great strike by Adam Hughes was just wide; lots of pressure coming from Levens on the Ciren defence. Levens were in the ascendancy. Knight helping out conceded a corner and when Smyllie's header came in it was headed off the line by Bevan.

A great run to the byline by Ryan Dunn and an intelligent pull back set up for Montgomery to score but somehow he put it over the bar - a miss indeed for Levens. I nice flick on by McDonald put Craig Martin one on one with the keeper but the golden chance was spurned.

Just when Levens were missing golden opportunities a cross from Knight and a head on gave Charlie Griffin space and time on the edge of the box to absolute bury it passed Hall into the Levens net. A quality finish and volley by an experienced campaigner and not for the first time this preseason have Levens forwards been shown a lesson in finishing. Fine margins yet again!!

Substitutes were coming now frequent by both sides and on the right hand side Levens nearly lost the momentum when they got away with what looked like a foul throw in.....when retaken this time by substitute Westcarr the latter launched in a huge Icelandicesque far post throw, Smyllie as usual got his head to the ball it dropped and Montgomery controlled it lovely with his thigh and then smashed it into the net from a tight angle. A finish to remember at last 1-1 come on Levens !

Then for the last ten minutes Levens were virtually on a rampage substitute Byard used his long legs broke from midfield poked the ball through and quick silver Montgomery was again in on the keeper one on one but put sadly well over the bar. Ed Smyllie went close with one of his trade mark headers after a short corner was worked and the game closed to an end with left back Beaton peppering (our!) Ciren keeper Harris with terrific long range shots.

A very good all round show by the improving Longlevens without the mercurial but ill Brad Martin; the injured but returning soon Jonty Welch; a fully fit Ellis Sausman and unavailable Dave Rich the squad as we know has the quality and depth to do well and match what ever team comes at it whether that is Oxford City and or Bedfont & Feltham in what ever proper competition. We will surprise again this season. Bring them on.

Nice to watch visitors Cirencester come and play good football and respect Levens many of us have some link with Cirencester Town FC so it was a friendly local Gloucestershire contest with many players renewing old acquaintances. Hence happy to deal in the mutual transfer loan market!

Levens Man of the Match: The ever green Ollie Hall safe and sound and a good run out second half by McDonald showing more effective touches and penetrating passes