Match Report

Leverstock Green’s epic FA cup run goes on, as they face a replay on Wednesday night at Chesham United’s ground after a late equaliser from Aylesbury United salvaged a 1-1 draw for the Ducks in Saturday’s Preliminary Round tie at Pancake Lane. The tie pitted brother against brother as Leverstock’s Shane Wood and Aylesbury’s Jack Wood captained their respective sides.

There was another new goalkeeper in the Leverstock side as 16 year old Caolan Doyle-Creamer came in for his debut. The Southern League side had the better of the early play, although it was Leverstock who created the better chances. In the 4th minute Jonathan Lacey played a one-two with David Lawrence before hitting a shot which was turned wide by Ducks keeper Jack Sillitoe. In the 15th minute Lewis Davis played a ball forward to Lawrence, whose shot was deflected wide. On 37 minutes Lacey set up Lawrence for a shot which went wide.

A minute later there was a chance at the other end as Alex Collard flicked on a long throw to find Dejon Noel-Williams in front of goal, but his effort was comfortably gathered by Doyle-Creamer. Seconds later Noel-Williams hit a shot into the side netting. A minute before the break Sonny French hit the side netting for Aylesbury again from a cross by Jake Bewley.

The second half was similarly evenly-contested. In the 52nd minute Lewis Davis went close for Leverstock with a shot from a free kick which went about a foot over the bar. However, a minute later Leverstock were ahead. Luca DeMare did well to close down a defender and forced a mistake, winning the ball and running clean through to slot past Sillitoe. A defender slid in to try to clear it, but only succeeded in helping the ball into the net.

On 55 minutes Doyle-Creamer produced his best save of the match to tip over a free kick from Ollie Hogg. Three minutes later Hogg shot into the side netting from a pass by French. On 70 minutes the Ducks had their nearest miss so far as a shot from French struck the underside of the bar and bounced down, but on the right side of the line from the Leverstock perspective. Another effort from French shortly afterwards went wide.

Towards the end of the game there was a sense that Leverstock were sitting back too much, but they were within four minutes of a notable cup upset before Aylesbury salvaged the game. It was a well-taken goal from substitute and former Green player Reece Cameron, shooting across Doyle-Creamer and into the corner of the net.

The replay means that Tuesday night’s scheduled league visit to St Margaretsbury is postponed.