Match Report
Saturday 14th September 2013 Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division
Leverstock Green (0) 1 Davies 47
Oxhey Jets (2) 3 Beardsworth 23, 33, Armstrong 52
at Pancake Lane

Leverstock Green remain at the foot of the SSML Premier Division after a seventh straight league defeat. Today's visitors Oxhey Jets had only five points coming into this game, but the three points they gained comfortably here moved them up towards mid-table.

Green manager Dan Manzi is still struggling with injuries and unavailability, and with top scorer Stewart King again absent through injury, his side rarely looked likely to threaten. Glenn Thompson was back in the Leverstock side having returned after a season away at Berkhamsted, and hopefully a few more signings can be made to strengthen the squad.

The first half saw the visitors well on top, and they found it all too easy to pass their way through a Leverstock side that looked short on confidence and spirit. They could have taken the lead in the 8th minute when Khoury Taylor made a run at goal, but Green keeper Nigel Wharton saved with his feet. Simeon Armstrong followed up, but Wharton dived at his feet to deny him.

Four minutes later Wharton saved again from Luke Beardsworth, the only player remaining from the successful Jets side of last season, and two minutes later saved again to keep out a shot from Armstrong. However, on 23 minutes Beardsworth was allowed to run into the box without a challenge, and pick his spot to sidefoot a low shot into the corner of the net for the opening goal.

Leverstock had little to offer as an attacking force, but on 28 minutes a pass from Thompson allowed Connor Deadman to run along the bye-line before cutting in and hitting a shot which was blocked. A second Jets goal made things even more difficult for the Green, and it was a soft one as Beardsworth got in front of Wharton to head home a corner from a yard out in the 33rd minute.

Two goals down at the break, there was a glimmer of hope for the Leverstock side as the pulled a goal back with little more than a minute of the second half played. A back pass from Jets defender Paul Turner went astray, and Jon Davies was on hand to put the ball away.

However, the comeback never materialised, and the visitors' two-goal cushion was restored five minutes later as Turner redeemed himself by supplying the cross for Armstrong to head home their third goal.

The remainder of the game petered out, with Oxhey looking the more likely side to add to their tally in the rare moments of goalmouth action. Things don't get any easier for the Green, with a visit to in-form Hoddesdon Town next up on Tuesday night.
Match Images (click on picture to see full-size)
Leverstock Green: 1. Nigel Wharton, 2. Mark Broome, 3. Darren Putman (15. Mark Campbell 59 mins), 4. Tunde Owolabi, 5. Daren Bloor, 6. Chris Cutler, 7. Adiel Mannion, 8. Glenn Thompson, 9. Jon Davies (12. Junior Mumuni 74 mins), 10. Connor Deaman, 11. Chad Pinching (14. Dean Roper 66 mins). Sub not used: 16. David Bailey.
Oxhey Jets: 1. Will Baker, 2. Ben Poulton, 3. Rajwinder Singh (12. Jordan Payne 74 mins), 4. Paul Turner, 5. Kevin Dee, 6. Andrew Brennan, 7. John Daily (15. Wayne Gladdy 83 mins), 8. Jamie Moran, 9. Simeon Armstrong, 10. Luke Beardsworth, 11. Khoury Taylor (14. Adam Lowton 65 mins).