Leverstock Green welcomed neighbours Hemel Hempstead Town to Pancake Lane on Friday evening for their opening pre-season friendly of season 2011/12. It was a good competitive encounter, with the Southern League side running out 3-2 winners in the end.

Hemel fielded a strong squad which included Charlie Gorman and Bill Morgan, both of whom have made the switch from Leverstock during the summer. However, Green manager Steve Heath has retained most of his squad from last season, and there were also a couple of new faces on display tonight.

The Green made a good start and took an early lead. A mistake in the Hemel defence let in Andrew Cracknell, who took the ball round the keeper, but was brought down by former teammate Bill Morgan before he could shoot at the empty net. The referee pointed to the penalty spot, and as the last man Morgan would probably have seen a red card in a competitive match. Green skipper Lee Bircham picked up where he left off last season by firing home the spot kick to put Green ahead in the 6th minute.

Hemel were back on level terms before half time. Winger David Pearce's run at goal was ended by a foul from Green's Max Farrelly just outside the box. Dennis Fenemore stepped up to take the free kick, and the former Green player blasted a shot through the wall and in off the underside of the bar to equalise in the 33rd minute.

Fenemore struck again in the 57th minute, firing a shot from a narrow angle to put Hemel 2-1 ahead, and when Pearce ran onto a through ball for a third goal four minutes later it looked like Hemel might run away with it.

However, Leverstock steadied the ship and pulled a goal back four minutes from time. Carl Tasker launched a goal kick towards the Hemel box, and keeper Ross Hampton, who had only just come on, was slow to come out and claim it. Lewis Pritchard chased the ball down and got there first to nod the ball past Hampton into the net.

Next up for the Green is a visit to Met Police Bushey on Tuesday night for a 6.30 pm kick-off.