Match Report

Leverstock Green continued their stellar run of form as they notched their sixth straight league win in Saturday’s SSML Premier Division fixture against Edgware Town at Pancake Lane. The game was more evenly-contested than the 3-0 scoreline would suggest, although Leverstock certainly deserved the points.

There was a new signing in goal, although not an unfamiliar name. Matt Evans played for the Leverstock under-18s before going on to play SSML football for Tring Athletic and Sun Sports. It was an excellent debut performance by Evans, rewarded with a clean sheet.

Leverstock took the lead in the 12th minute, with Chris Marsh yet again providing the assist, as he swung over a free kick to the far post. Curtis Donaldson got on the end of it with a superb header which hit the inside of the post, but crossed the line as it bounced back across goal.

There could have been a second goal in the 19th minute when a long throw from Shane Wood was flicked on, but Ross Adams just failed to connect as the ball went across the face of goal. Edgware came close to an equaliser in the 26th minute from as the Green defence was undone by a short corner routine, but Evans produced a brilliant save to deny Mikkel James from point blank range.

Edgware made the stronger start to the second half, and came close again in the 49th minute when a flick on from a goal kick put the forward through, but Luke Nugent cleared the shot off the line. Five minutes later Evans pulled off another great save to turn a shot from Rio Beech round the post.

The game was still in the balance midway through the half, with Edgware working hard to close down the Leverstock forward line and limit their supply of chances, but the Green were gifted a second goal in the 68th minute. A misplaced pass from Mikkel James went straight to Jonathan Lacey, who needed no invitation to head for goal and confidently slot home past the keeper for his 10th goal of the season.

Two minutes later Marsh swung over another great free kick. Scott Bonner got a glancing touch, but Alex McCarthy, coming in behind, got the decisive touch off his head for the third Leverstock goal which ensured that the points would be going their way. Evans pulled off another couple of good saves in stoppage time to ensure that it would also be a second straight clean sheet for the Green side.

There were a number of impressive performances today, but the man-of-the-match award went to Luke Nugent.

Next Saturday Leverstock are away to Cockfosters.