Match Report

Leverstock Green played their final home match of the season on a swelteringly hot Bank Holiday Monday against Welwyn Garden City, and it was the already-crowned champions who came out on top with a 2-0 win.

After 25 minutes in which neither side created much in the way of chances, Leverstock were forced into a change when Jay Caines replaced Chris Marsh, who had been struggling since going down injured in the opening 30 seconds. A minute later the visitors took the lead when Jon Clements drilled home a low shot from just outside the penalty area.

They could have had a second goal two minutes later when Tyler Hatherly was set free down the right and crossed into the box, but Ash Kersey’s shot was saved by Matt Evans and a follow-up effort from Nick Elliott was blocked. On 31 minutes Kersey headed over the bar from a Jay Rolfe cross, and three minutes later Rolfe made a solo run from the halfway line before shooting wide.

In the closing minutes of the half there were promising moments for Leverstock when Caines got to the byeline and pulled the ball back for Reece Cameron, but he had his back to goal and couldn’t get in a shot, and Cameron later had a determined run at goal but was dispossessed before being able to shoot.

Four minutes into the second half Clements was clean through and looked set for his second, but Evans saved well. On 74 minutes Welwyn again went close to a second but Kersey was guilty of a glaring miss from close range. Chris Gosling had Leverstock’s best effort of the half on 82 minutes with a free kick that went just wide, but two minutes later Welwyn substitute Dan Bond sent a lob over Evans. Shane Wood did his best to clear off the line but could only head it onto the bar, and Bond followed in to head home Welwyn’s 100th league goal of the season to go with the 100 points that they also reached with this win.

Leverstock still have one league match to play, away to London Tigers on Wednesday night. The game is of little consequence itself with Tigers safe and Leverstock confirmed in 7th place, but players will be playing for their place in next Monday’s St Mary’s Cup final against Berkhamsted.