Match Report

After scoring 12 goals in their previous two friendlies, Leverstock Green were given a reality check on Saturday as they were soundly beaten by a very good Haringey Borough side on a sweltering afternoon at Pancake Lane.

Leverstock made a bright start to the game, but in the 7th minute the Ryman League side showed their pace and power up front as they broke away from a Leverstock corner and Daniel Aristidou slotted home the opening goal.

They should have scored a second goal not long afterwards from another one-on-one situation, but the shot ended up in the side netting. However, on 22 minutes another breakaway allowed Ralston Gabriel to go clean through and put Haringey 2-0 up.

Following a water break Haringey put further pressure on the Green goal, with a goalline clearance from Shaun Owens and a good save from Callum Woods keeping them down to two goals at the break.

There was no let up from the Haringey side in the second half, though, with Anthony McDonald scoring a third goal on 51 minutes and Nana Asamoah adding the fourth five minutes later.

Haringey were equally impressive at the back, not allowing the Green side to create any chances. Two further goals in the last five minutes from McDonald and Gabriel completed the scoring.

Haringey were certainly the best side that Leverstock have faced in their pre-season, and manager Paul Hunt feels that defeat will be a good thing for his side, having ridden the crest of a wave in previous games, and that they will have to take this one on the chin and move on.

Leverstock have one more pre-season game to play, against Chalfont Wasps on Tuesday night, before their competitive season opens next Saturday with a Herts Charity Shield first round tie at home to London Colney.