Match Report

Leverstock Green returned to winning ways after the disappointment of the midweek defeat to Wembley with a well-deserved three points against Hoddesdon Town on Saturday.

Paul Hunt was still missing Curtis Donaldson through injury, but had Shane Wood, George Biggadike and Lewis Bowers back in the side for this game. As with the meeting between the two clubs in the Premier Division Cup ten days ago, this was a game between two well-matched sides, which was reflected in a first half that produced few chances.

The best chance fell to Jonathan Lacey in the 25th minute, but he shot wide after a cross from Ross Adams had been headed down by Bowers. Three minutes before the break Bradley Hedges robbed Hoddesdon’s Brett O’Connor and ran at goal, but his shot was gathered by keeper Harry Smart. In the last two minutes of the half there were a couple of moments of danger in the Leverstock box as Connor Scully hit a shot just wide, and Fraser John delivered a ball into the six-yard box which was claimed by Liam Jahn.

A half-time change saw Karl Davidson come on for Bowers, and Davidson was heavily involved in Leverstock’s opening goal in the 52nd minute. Davidson ran at goal and hit a shot from the edge of the box which had Smart beaten but came back off the post. The rebound fell for Lacey, who showed the composure to slot the ball past Smart into the corner of the net.

Three minutes later Hedges beat several players in a determined run at goal, but shot over the bar. Leverstock were looking good value for their lead and were rarely being troubled at the back, but a bolt from the blue levelled the scores on 63 minutes. There seemed little danger when Jordan Watson had the ball in the Leverstock half, but he struck a low shot from almost 30 yards which left Jahn motionless as it flew into the bottom corner of the net.

However, Leverstock continued to look the better side, and they went back in front on 77 minutes. Zak Howells played a great pass to Lacey, who was careful to stay onside and went clean through to take the ball round Smart and slot into the empty net for 2-1. There could have been a third goal a minute later when Oliseh Okwudi was through on goal, but Smart deflected his shot wide.

Hoddesdon made a double substitution with four minutes left, and came close to levelling twice during five minutes of stoppage time, firstly when a ball from Watson flashed across the face of the Green goal, and in the final seconds when a header from Watson was tipped onto the bar by Jahn.

Paul Hunt was very pleased with the win, and with the excellent response his side showed to Tuesday’s defeat. Hunt also dedicated the win to outgoing chairman Brian Barter, who leaves the post on Monday.

Leverstock now sit in sixth place in the league, but they now turn their attention to the cups, with two away ties coming up in the next week. On Tuesday night they are away to Holmer Green in the first round of the Challenge Trophy, and next Saturday they travel to Harefield United in the second qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Vase.