Longleven AFC 3 - 2 Rayners Lane FC

In the Bluefin Challenge Cup Longlevens entertained Hellenic League Division 1 East team Rayners Lane who travelled in from the M40 Uxbridge Middlesex area a decent mileage run on a Saturday afternoon.

More input in debut players from the Levens reserves to support the first team and this was a very successful strategy as Levens turned in their best footballing first half performance of the season with some superb possession, pass and move football. Rayners Lane looked a big and strong side but physicality counted for little as Levens pass % completion must have been very high as they constantly attacked the IBIS Hotel goal end.

20 minutes -Rayner's Lane amazing went ahead in a one sided first half as in virtually their only attack a low shot from left winger Thomas took a slight deflection and drove into the corner of Levens Harris goal. 0-1 down how could that be!!!

30 minutes -Levens kept their high standards up and domination and missed chances ratio finally paid off as move down the left played in O'Connor who cleverly beat two defenders and stroked the ball under the diving body of the Rayners goalie - 1-1 had to come

35 minutes - As Byard and McDonald combined down the left and an accurate pass found O'Connor who dropped his shoulder and blasted a left footer into the top corner. 2-1 Levens ahead

Half Time 2-1........home supporters had just witnessed some exiting and attacking football from Levens well on top half but still no elusive clean sheet!

One sort of had a feeling Rayners had to find a way back into this game as Levens looked on for a high score. This occurred not so much Livens slacking off but more the opposition pulling up their own socks and working harder. This paid off as Levens with stood much pressure but finally succumbed and Rayner's Leslie drove in from close range 2-2!

The game now swung either way chances at both ends. Then with Ofoe on for McDonald ...the former from the left corner flag put in a daisy cutting cross Brad Martin and Montgomery stepped over and the ball dummying the Rayners defence to allow Shaun O'Connor to drive himself into the area and smash the ball into the net - hat-trick!. 3-2 great cup-tie win

Through to the next round an excellent performance by Levens - and even suppressed a second half fightback, in the end. Through to Round 3 and matched with North Leigh.

LEVENS MATCH DAY SQUAD: HARRIS;SMYLLIE;HUMPHRIES;BYARD;JONTY WELCH;JONNY LEE; O’CONNOR;BRAD MARTIN; McDONALD; OFOE; CRAIG MARTIN

SUPPORTERS MOTM = O’CONNOR……………….. HATRICK HERO

……..superbly backed by Jonty Welch, Jonny Lee; Ed Smyllie, Humphries; B. Martin; Harris as the excellent spine of the team…………… and a mention too for Byard; McDonald; improving Montgomery and right back wow debut by Antanas Brazdys!……………but all did well too with subs on Craig Martin and Darren Ofoe both impacted on the latter stages of the game win. Reasons to be cheerful!!!!

Rayners Lane players good lads and sporting and skilful – disciplined team -did not moan and harangue the officials – good luck with the redevelopment of your ground guys!