Match Report

Leverstock Green were unable to continue their run of form as a depleted side went down 3-1 at home to Wembley in Tuesday night’s SSML Premier Division game. None of the three players that came off injured during the Berkhamsted game were able to take part in tonight’s game, and with George Biggadike also unfit to play it was a much-changed starting line-up from Saturday’s game.

Even given the injury problems the first half was a big disappointment from the Leverstock side. Wembley attacked from the start and almost took the lead in the 2nd minute as Jermaine Heron broke down the right and hit a shot which Liam Jahn parried. Yassine Fehmi-Gil should have put away the rebound but put it over the bar. In the 4th minute Wembley won a corner, and Wayne Walters headed home the opening goal at the near post.

Jahn had to save a long-range effort from Carl Pearce in the 17th minute, while Fehmi-Gil was off-target again with a header from Joe Wright’s cross on 37 minutes. Leverstock’s only chance of a half in which Wembley were much the better side came in the 32nd minute when Karl Davidson headed over the bar from Karl Thomas’ cross.

The second half saw a brighter start from the Green side. Davidson headed over the bar again with just over a minute played, while Jonathan Lacey had a run at goal on 53 minutes during which the referee played an advantage, but he shot over. A minute later Lacey crossed for Jordan Gilbert, whose effort was parried by the keeper. Ross Adams should have scored from the rebound but shot over the empty net.

Having not taken their chances to level the scores, Leverstock found themselves two goals down on 59 minutes. A cross from the right was met with a header which Jahn saved, but Fehmi-Gil had a simple tap-in from the rebound. On 72 minutes it was 3-0 as a cross came in from the left touchline and Heron got a glancing header on it to send the ball past Jahn into the net.

The game wasn’t quite over yet. On 78 minutes Jonathan Lacey scored another impressive goal as he went on a solo run through the Wembley defence before finishing from a narrow angle to reduce the deficit to 3-1. That was as far as the comeback went, although Leverstock certainly had their chances to put further pressure on the Wembley lead. On 81 minutes Davidson headed over the bar from a Brima Johnson free kick. In stoppage time Davidson hit the post twice within seconds, Louis Smith hit a shot across goal and just wide, and Zak Howells headed over the bar.

Paul Hunt will hope to have some of his injured players back for a tough home game against Hoddesdon Town on Saturday.