Leverstock Green's epic FA Cup run is over, after they were well beaten by Staines Town in the Second Qualifying Round. Green manager Dene Gardner felt his side acquitted themselves well on the day, but it was always going to be difficult playing a Conference South side, and that was how it went.

Leverstock didn't help themselves by conceding in the opening minute of the game. Staines were awarded a free kick 20 yards out, and Louie Theophanous' effort seemed fairly inocuous, but Kieran Jimmy couldn't hold onto it as the ball bounced off his chest, and Elliott Buchanan was on hand to net the rebound with 55 seconds on the clock.

It was the worst possible start for the Green side, and there was almost a repeat performance in the 9th minute when Theophanous struck a low free kick from the edge of the box which Jimmy could only parry away, but Gavin Smith was first to the rebound this time to clear it.

Leverstock struggled to get into the game, and their first effort on goal came in the 16th minute when David Sobers turned away from a defender and hit a shot from distance just over the bar. Staines were still well on top though. Jimmy saved a shot from Theophanous on 17 minutes, and two minutes later a tackle from Sledge Mubama prevented Buchanan from going clean through on goal. However, on 22 minutes a quick Staines break resulted in the second goal. Chace O'Neill laid the ball back to Bajram Pashaj, who curled home a sidefooted shot from just outside the box.

The game could have changed had luck been on Leverstock's side in the 33rd minute. Damien Cruickshank spotted Staines keeper Jack Turner off his line, and floated an audacious chip from 40 yards, but Turner just scrambled back to tip the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner Gavin Smith's header was goalbound but Turner got a touch on it to deflect it onto the angle of post and bar.

Trailing 2-0 at half time, Leverstock were still in with an outside chance, but the second half proved to be as one-sided as the first had been. Staines captain Max Worsfold was the Green side's main tormentor. On 52 minutes a tackle from Mubama denied Theophanous on the edge of the box, but the ball ran through to Worsfold. His shot was parried by Jimmy, but Theophanous followed up to net the rebound. Worsfold scored the 4th goal with a solo run into the box and a drilled shot from a narrow angle on 69 minutes, and added the 5th in almost identical fashion three minutes later.

There is no doubt that the excellent Staines side fully deserved the result, but Leverstock defended well for the rest of the game to keep the score respectable, and came out of it with their heads held high. Overall it was an enjoyable day out for the club.

Leverstock now face two games in four days away to AFC Dunstable, managed by former Green boss Steve Heath, firstly on Wednesday night in the league, and then on Saturday in an FA Vase Second Qualifying Round tie.