Match Report

Leverstock Green’s joy following their 5-0 win over Sun Sports on Saturday was short-lived, with the likelihood that the three points will be lost due to Sun having to fold their first team due to ground issues, plus a comprehensive defeat at newly-promoted Harpenden Town on a wet and windy Tuesday night meaning that they will be probably be stuck on zero points again before their next game.

The tone of this game was set in the opening minute, as Leverstock inexplicably gave the ball away outside their own penalty area, leaving James Ewington with a free run at goal to slot past Reuben Rabstein for the opening goal with only 21 seconds on the clock.

Leverstock went close to an equaliser in the 2nd minute as a shot deflected off a defender onto the post, but that was a brief moment of promise as the Green side struggled to make any impact on the game against a Harpenden side that attacked with pace and in numbers, while always seeming to have two players around any Leverstock player who received the ball to his feet. There was another chance in the 18th minute when a cross from Brima Johnson was flicked on to Luca DeMare, but his shot was saved by the keeper. Harpenden doubled their lead in the 26th minute in a frantic goalmouth scramble following a corner. An initial effort hit the bar, but the ball was eventually bundled over the line by Ewington.

The arrears could have been reduced in the 35th minute when Leverstock broke quickly from a Harpenden corner. Reynaldo Carbon’s pass put Jonathan Lacey through on goal, but his shot went across goal and wide. Two minutes later Harpenden had a free kick on the halfway line. The ball was floated into the box, and Matt Sutton had a free header to make it 3-0 to the home side.

The second half saw Leverstock trying to push forward, but to little effect, and Harpenden always looked dangerous on the break. They should have had a fourth goal in the 53rd minute when a tackle by Reece Fallon on a forward who was clean through was a fraction too late for the ball, but Ewington’s penalty was well saved by Rabstein. However, Ewington made up for it in the 68th minute as he took advantage of another Leverstock giveaway in their own half, taking the ball round Rabstein before slotting home for his hat-trick.

Eight minutes from time two Green subs combined as Luke Nugent’s pass found Nick Jackson in space inside the box, but Jackson’s shot was tipped over the bar to deny the Leverstock side even a consolation goal on a miserable night.

Next up is a home game against Wembley on Saturday.