Match Report

Leverstock Green’s winless run continued as they were beaten 3-1 at Edgware Town in Saturday’s SSML Premier Division fixture.

The game could hardly have started any better for the Green side as they were ahead inside two minutes through a stunning long-range strike from Mark Smith, who was 30 yards out and near the right touchline, but found the top corner of the net.

The home side responded well, though, and almost levelled in the 11th minute when a pass from Ryan Carruthers set up Steven Benavides with a clear shooting chance, but his shot hit the bar. Three minutes later Tyriq Hunte had the ball in the net for Edgware but it was ruled out for offside. A long-range effort from Hunte brought a save out Green keeper Nathan Pickworth in the 21st minute.

Two minutes later Leverstock almost doubled their lead when Reece Cameron, back for another spell at the club, hit a shot just wide. Within a minute pressure from the Leverstock frontline forced an error out of Edgware keeper Connor Beattie, who gave the ball away to Jay Kossifos, who tried to chip into the empty net but it went just wide.

There was another chance for Hunte in the 27th minute, who was clean through but was denied by a save from Pickworth. However, in the 39th minute Edgware finally got their equaliser as Benevides drilled a shot from just outside the box which Pickworth got a hand to, but couldn’t stop going into the bottom corner of the net.

In the last minute of the half there was another chance for the Green as home defender Paul Marks tried to see the ball out over the goal-line, but Cameron nipped in to win the ball and cut back out to get a shot at goal, but it went into the side netting. In stoppage time Edgware went close again with Hunte hitting a fierce shot just wide.

Four minutes into the second half Leverstock had another near-miss as Cameron aimed a shot towards the top corner of the net, but Beattie pulled off a good save to turn it wide. Two minutes later at the other end Edgware won a corner. The ball was not cleared, and in the ensuing scramble Pickworth saved one effort, but George McCluskey headed home the rebound to put Edgware 2-1 up.

The remainder of the game was a disappointment from the Green side, as they had a number of promising build-ups, but weren’t able to get a serious effort on goal. There was a further blow on 73 minutes when the ball was given away in midfield, and Edgware immediately broke away, with Hunte being put clean through and all alone to slot home a third goal for his side.

It wasn’t until stoppage time that Leverstock managed to get a couple of shots at goal, but by then it was too late, and Edgware held on comfortably for a deserved win.

On Tuesday night Leverstock will be playing a friendly at Kings Langley. Next Saturday they are away to London Tigers in a league match.