Match Report

Leverstock Green were left wondering just what they have to do to register a goal after a terrific performance against Oxhey Jets. The Green side were probably the better side in the game, but hit the woodwork twice, had other chances saved, and were denied a last-gasp equaliser by an offside flag as they yet again came away with nothing.

It was the first game for Leverstock since the passing of chairman and match secretary Graham Smart, and a minute’s silence was observed before the match.

With just two minutes played Leverstock went close to taking the lead. Reece Cameron’s cross found Toby Syme at the far post, and Syme’s first time shot struck the post. At the other end in the 6th minute Gary Wallace headed over the bar from a corner and two minutes later Ryan Schmid saved a shot from George Hobson.

The game continued to go from end-to-end. In the 12th minute Jamie Fulton was robbed by Andrew Brennan, who ran through but shot over the bar. Seconds later Leverstock went close when Kane O’Neil squared for Luis Brooker, whose shot was saved by former Green keeper Matt Evans. From the resulting corner, Ethan Flanagan headed wide. There was another chance on 26 minutes when Deandre Blake threaded a pass to Syme, but Evans came out and smothered Syme’s shot.

In the 37th minute Schmid produced another great save to keep out a shot from Hobson, but seconds later Oxhey were awarded a penalty when Tom Gibson was brought down in the box. Hobson stepped up to take the spot kick, but hit it down the middle and Schmid was able to deflect it over the bar with his trailing leg.

The second half started with the game still goalless, and again Leverstock started well. In the opening minute Cameron pushed forward and played it through to Brooker, who cut inside on the edge of the box but had his shot blocked. A minute later a great pass from Fulton put Blake in on goal but he shot over.

The game was still evenly poised, but in the 71st minute the home side made the breakthrough when two substitutes combined to open the scoring. Nick Kelly’s pass put Sean Giordmaina through to shoot past Schmid.

The Green side continued to push forward in search of an equaliser. They were denied again three minutes later when Cameron’s cross-cum-chip from a narrow angle was deflected wide by Evans’ outstretched arm. On 76 minutes there was an goalmouth scramble after a free kick had been played into the box. Shane Wood’s backheel from the edge of the six-yard box was saved by Evans, and from the rebound Lewis Collins hit a shot from the edge of the box which took a deflection, but Evans somehow managed to get a hand to it to tip it onto the post. Even then the ball rebounded back across the face of goal but nobody could apply the finishing touch.

A double save from Schmid in the 83rd minute kept Leverstock in the game, and they continued to apply the pressure as the game went into the closing minutes. They were denied what looked like a clear penalty when Collins was brought down in the box. As the game went into stoppage time Schmid came up for a couple of corners but still the ball couldn’t be forced home. In the fifth minute of stoppage time Leverstock looked to have the equaliser as Cameron was put clean through and lifted his shot over Evans. The ball was heading into the net, but Blake followed in to make sure, only to be flagged for offside as Leverstock were denied an equaliser they certainly deserved in the most agonising fashion.

The two sides meet again on Tuesday night, this time at Pancake Lane in the semi-finals of the St Mary’s Cup.

Below video highlights filmed by Dave G. Mason of Oxhey Jets.