Determined Levens Fightback at Wickwar

This was a hugely entertaining and open game of football. With the personnel available and with a previous couple of disappointing results, Longlevens reverted to a back 3 for the match away at Wickwar. The relatively new positions were to prove confusing for the Longlevens boys and the speed of the Wickwar attackers and their clinical finishing saw Longlevens quickly slide 2 goals behind.

However, the game was open and Ben was gaining a lot of success in the left-wing position. His tenacity brought several corners for ‘Levens and after 20 minutes his corner was headed in by Jae to make it 2-1. The two-goal lead was soon restored though, as a mistake midfield enabled the Wickwar centre-forward to home in on goal, Jon made a great save to keep this out but another Wickwar attacker was on hand to score the rebound.

Longlevens were not deterred, though. They sensed that there were more goals in this game and by the half-hour mark were back to 3-2 as Ben was put through by Jae and calmly stroked the ball home. By this time Longlevens had reverted to a back four and looked much more comfortable defending the pace of the opposing attackers and it was Levens who were disappointed as the half time whistle went and they were still behind 3-2.

The second half started in much the same way as the first ended with Longlevens dominating every area of the field. Corner after corner was defended desperately by the Wickwar defence and shots from Jack, Jude and James saw Longlevens go close to equalizing. This eventually came after a corner from Ben was well defended, but the ball found it’s way back out to Ben, this time on the right, and he was able to dig out a pinpoint cross for Jae to nod in from point-blank range. If he hadn’t scored then Geyni who was directly behind him would have.

The game was now there for the taking. Wickwar had rare sojourns into the Longlevens half but it was the Longlevens midfield and attack that had the hosts on the ropes. After some good work from Jack on the right, he was eventually fouled and a free-kick given. Ben swung in a dangerous cross and Ollie rose beautifully to head a superb goal straight into the top corner, which proved to be the winner. A great comeback by Longlevens and a great way to end the year.