Match Report

A draw would have been enough for a best-ever third place finish in the SSML Premier Division and a home tie in the playoffs, but one moment of madness at the back meant that Leverstock Green will be away to Harpenden Town in next week’s promotion playoff semi-final. Other than that, the game would have been the most mundane of 0-0 draws with barely a chance created at either end.

The goal came in the 38th minute when Gary Connolly nodded the ball back towards his keeper, but Josh Bowler wasn’t ready and missed the ball, and could only watch as it rolled back into the empty net.

The Leverstock side were unable to get going all night, with passes going astray, runs heading down blind alleys and set piece deliveries that went straight to the Tring keeper. There was a half-chance for Callum Neal late in the first half, but his shot went over the bar. The second half was a similar story with the Tring defence comfortably handling anything that the Green side could throw at them, while themselves creating little to trouble Bowler. There was a glimmer of hope in stoppage time when Leverstock were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position, but Lewis Collins’ shot flew just over the bar.

It was a disappointing result but it was only a second league defeat since Christmas for this Leverstock side, who have equalled the club’s highest-ever league finish of 4th in 2010/11 and have a shot of clinching promotion to Step 4 via the playoffs. The semi-final will take place at Rothamsted Park on Wednesday 1st May, with a 7.45 pm kick-off.

Leverstock also have the Gladwish Challenge Trophy final on May 11th to look forward to, and a chance of a second cup final when they travel to Tring for a second meeting in four days in the semi-finals of the St Mary’s Cup.

Leverstock Green (0) 0
1. Josh Bowler, 2. Callum Neal, 3. Mikey Havill-Tierney (15. Ethan Mooney 52 mins), 4. Josh Dooley, 5. Gary Connolly (14. Curtis Dibley 90+4 mins), 6. Nat Connolly, 7. Luke Beckwith, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Guiseppe Delgaudio, 10. George Mitchell-Gears (12. Lewis Collins 73 mins), 11. Ademide Baruwa. Subs not used: 16. Jayden Newman, 17. Dan Weeks.
Tring Athletic (1) 1 (G.Connolly og 38)
1. Dan Gould, 3. Adam Sawyer, 4. Greg Deer, 6. Noah Butler (19. Harrison Mead 81 mins), 7. Frankie Hercules (14. Bailey Osbourne 71 mins), 8. Jack Harvey (15. Charlie Bradshaw 87 mins), 11. Harry Jones, 12. Benjamin Kakembo (10. Max Hercules 61 mins), 13. George Carbery, 16. Dave O’Connor, 20. Harry Shepherd.