Match Report

Leverstock Green suffered another defeat as promotion-chasing neighbours Berkhamsted visited for a local derby in the Southern League Division One Central, and came away with a comfortable win.

Two early goals put the visitors in a position of control that they never looked like relinquishing. In the 6th minute Louie Collier crossed for BJ Christie to open the scoring with a simple close-range header. Leverstock could have replied within two minutes. Dan Pett won the ball in midfield and suddenly it was two on one as Pett found Luke Beckwith in front of goal, but Beckwith took an extra touch which allowed Jack Tompkins to come in from behind with a challenge which the referee deemed fair.

In the 15th minute Christie added the second Berko goal, beating Dan Weeks on the edge of the box before curling a superb finish past Ryan North. Again Leverstock had the chance to get a goal back in the 23rd minute. Rawn Seale had a sight of goal, but chose to square for Guiseppe Delgaudio, who was in a better position, but again took an extra touch which allowed a challenge to come in. Delgaudio was injured in the challenge and had to leave the game in the 34th minute.

Leverstock had another couple of chances, but were denied twice by Josh Bowler, the goalkeeper of their promotion-winning side last season. In the 54th minute Seale made a powerful run through the Berko defence, but his eventual shot was kept out by Bowler, and two minutes later Bowler did well to turn a superb long-range effort from Beckwith round the post.

Berko were in cruise control for most of the second half, but added a third goal in the 78th minute. Rayan Clarke was brought down by a challenge inside the box, and another former Leverstock player Jonathan Lacey scored from the penalty spot.

Leverstock Green (0) 0
1. Ryan North, 2. Ademide Baruwa (17. Marcus Warren 75 mins), 3. Jamie Breen (16. Lucas Georgiou 76 mins), 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Gary Connolly, 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Lewis Collins, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Guiseppe Delgaudio (14. Keanu Fleming 34 mins), 10. Luke Beckwith, 11. Rawn Seale. Subs not used: 12. Nat Connolly, 15. Oliwier Fusiek.
Berkhamsted (2) 3 (Christie 9, 15, Lacey 78 pen)
1. Josh Bowler, 2. Jack Tompkins, 3. Lucas Perry, 4. Adam Watkins (14. Charley Barker 78 mins), 5. Max Rosner, 6. Charlie Johnson, 7. Jonathan Lacey (17. Simeon Olarerin 78 mins), 8. Luke Andrews (12. Jordon Frederick 78 mins), 9. BJ Christie (15. Matt Bateman 70 mins), 10. Louie Collier (16. Rayan Clarke 70 mins), 11. Connor Tomlinson.