Match Report

Leverstock Green are still waiting for their first league goal of the season, but at least they have a point on the board after a goalless draw against newly-promoted Broadfields United at Pancake Lane on Tuesday night.

The visitors had the game’s first effort on goal inside 30 seconds as Rex Kimona hit a decent shot just over the bar. Leverstock went even closer in the third minute as John Smith struck a shot from just outside the box which flew inches over the bar.

There were few other chances in an evenly-contested first half. On 33 minutes a mistake in the Green defence left Dene Gardner – one of a number of ex-Leverstock players in the Broadfields line-up – clean through, but he slipped his shot wide of Carl Tasker’s goal. Kimona had another effort on goal in the 41st minute which also went wide.

In the second half, Leverstock had a decent shout for a penalty on 62 minutes as Luke Peerless appeared to be barged over inside the box, but the referee was unmoved. Four minutes later the Green had a good chance when Frankie Jowle intercepted a loose pass across the Broadfield defence and had a clear shot at goal, but hit it straight at keeper Matt Faley.

Carl Tasker made his best save of the game in the 72nd minute, sticking out his right boot to keep out a low shot from Kimona. Two minutes later Broadfields had their own penalty shout for what looked like handball inside the box following a corner, but again nothing was given.

A minute later Leverstock won a free kick in a dangerous position, but Peerless hit his shot into the wall, likewise a second effort on the rebound. There was another free kick soon after which Jowle swung into the box, but Dan Weeks headed over the bar from a good position. Leverstock had another great chance for a late winner in the 87th minute as new signing Stephen Dodd connected with a low cross inside the six-yard box, but didn’t get enough of a touch on it to divert it into the net.

After what had been a game played in a good spirit, both sides ended up with ten men as the clock ticked into stoppage time. Firstly there was a sin-binning for Broadfields sub Charlie Barton as a throw-in was delayed, and then there was a straight red card for Jowle. This was a harsh decision as both Jowle and Damion Cruickshank went hard into what looked like a 50-50 challenge, but the referee’s verdict was that Jowle went in two-footed.

It was a fair result from a game in which there was little to choose between the two sides. Leverstock now turn their attention to the FA Cup and Saturday’s Extra Preliminary Round tie against Ardley United.