Match Report

Leverstock Green continued their pre-season build-up with a home friendly against Southern League side Barton Rovers. The games finished as a win for the visitors, but it was an excellent display by the Leverstock side and an entertaining game all-round for the spectators.

The Barton side included Curtis Donaldson, a prolific scorer for the Green over the last two seasons. Leverstock had a chance to take the lead in the 20th minute when a pass from Jonathan Lacey put Sammy Nair through on goal, but his shot was saved by the keeper. It was Barton who scored the opening goal in the 27th minute. Green keeper Charlie May did well to save a header from a corner, but Nathan Olakube followed up to net the rebound.

The scores were levelled in the 36th minute. Lacey hit a shot from the edge of the box which was well-saved, but the loose ball eventually came to David Lawrence, who poked it home for the equaliser. However, Barton were back in front within a couple of minutes with a well-taken goal from Joshua Oyinsan. In the last minute of the half both Lacey and Nair hit shots that brought good saves out of the Barton keeper.

Leverstock continued to play well in the second half, despite the wet conditions that persisted throughout the game. In the second minute of the half Alex Marsh hit a great shot which was tipped over the bar by the keeper. On 56 minutes Brima Johnson won the ball from a Barton defender and immediately played it through to Nair, whose rasping shot rattled the post. Five minutes later an impressive passing move ended with Johnson sending a cross to the far post to find Lacey, whose header was blocked on the line, with Lawrence just failing to get on the end of the rebound.

Starting team: Charlie May, Zak Howells, Brima Johnson, Lewis Bowers, Reece Fallon, Ben Darby, Ross Adams, Chris Marsh, David Lawrence, Jonathan Lacey, Sammy Nair.
Also used: Alex Marsh, Aaron Flood, Mason Tunbridge, Luke Nugent, Kendall Allen, Karl Thomas, Casey Linsell.

Earlier in the day Leverstock’s under-18 side enjoyed an excellent 4-1 win over Barton’s under-18 side.

Leverstock’s final pre-season friendly is next Saturday at home to another Southern League side, Northwood.