(Report by Bill Dawes)

Leverstock Green was very privileged to entertain League President Brian Smith to present the Manager of the Month to Steve Heath for an outstanding performance during August.

Once again The Green completed a win to maintain a 100% League record. Despite a depleted front line, a devastating first 45 minutes paved the way for 9 consecutive League wins.

The first few minutes were played end to end with Carl Tasker comfortably holding an early Biggleswade attack. Ben Butler, Adam Hallissey and Paul Insley combined to indicate the frame of mind that Leverstock were in; although Biggleswade's front two, Ben Stocker and Ryan Nicholl did their best to balance the books. Following a few minutes of attractive attacking play using both wings Leverstock were awarded a free kick out on the right. Captain Lee Bircham played a deep ball to the far post where Steve Hatch headed back across the goal for Adam Hallissey to drive home to give Leverstock a well deserved lead after just nine minutes.

Jon Davies playing at left full back brought Hallissey into the game who squared from the left for Insley to bring out a fine save from the Biggleswade keeper. Memories of the fine performance that United's Adam Lawrence put up when Biggleswade knocked The Green out of the FA Cup came to mind. However from the resulting corner Jon Davies picked up the clearance and squared for Paul Insley to apply the finishing touch.

Two up after twelve minutes and playing some of the best attacking football this season, Leverstock looked certain to add more goals. Biggleswade's keeper was brought into action quite a few times over the next ten minutes. On the 20 minute mark Jon Davies thundered a 25 yard shot just past the left post following a half-cleared corner. Biggleswade were able to muster retaliation with captain Sean Murray and Ben Stocker standing out but without really troubling the home side's defence.

For the next five or six minutes Leverstock applied plenty of pressure, with four up front and plenty of space, the home supporters were entertained admirably by an exhibition of football not seen at Pancake Lane for quite a few months. After 36 minutes good approach play by Bircham and Hatch allowed Insley to head fiercely against a post, the resulting loose ball was driven just over the post by Ben Butler.

But United were not lying down, Stocker and Murray threatened again and just three minutes before the break sub Chris Butler, on for injured Michael Supple, caused some consternation to Leverstock's defence with a well-placed cross that was turned away for a corner.

The second half started rather sloppily as far as Leverstock were concerned; despite a few good passes, The Green dropped back into a defensive frame of mind and paid the price. Poor covering allowed United's Stuart Childs to plant a well aimed left foot shot into Tasker's bottom left corner.

At this point Biggleswade found a second breath and took full advantage of the home side's change in attitude; a couple of good opportunities to equalize were squandered. Despite the "defensive" attitude Leverstock mounted a few good raids on the Biggleswade goal with Culaj and Griggs featuring in the play. After eighteen minute Biggleswade lost goal scorer Childs who was replaced by Mohamed Ghandour, a tall attacker who was to feature strongly in United's efforts to equalize.

Andrew Cracknell replaced Adam Hallissey and added a degree of height up front. For the next fifteen minutes there was not much between the sides. End to end play with neither side making a decisive move, although Biggleswade made Leverstock struggle to hold their advantage. After 28 minutes Glenn Thompson replaced Jon Davies followed soon after by Joel Norris replacing Paul Insley. Sandwiched between the substitutions the visitors used the long ball to put the home side under pressure but Ben Stocker failed to hit the target.

The last nine minutes or so became very frenetic with efforts from Biggleswade's Jaward and Tauba Ngongou heading over after good play by Murray and Ghandour. Leverstock's Butler and Griggs combined but the final shot was tame. Jaward brought the best out Tasker with a fine shot and a Leverstock long ball was only headed on by Cracknell to Lawrence.

The half ended with Butler trying a long shot for the home side and Ngongou testing Tasker with a header, but the home 'keeper was fouled. After Ben Stocker failed to equalize the half was seen out by Griggs and Butler playing a bit of keep ball.

A good afternoon for Leverstock Green with enough good play from a heavily re-organized side. Spare a thought for match Referee Paul Howard who was observed by no less than six assessors having a development session at Pancake Lane; your reporter thought he had an excellent game and can only hope his advisors thought the same.