Match Report

Leverstock Green continued their pre-season build-up with a home game against Harpenden Town, and continued their impressive form with a 5-1 win against a side considered one of the favourites for promotion from the SSML Division One this season.

The Green side looked an attacking threat from the start on a warm and muggy afternoon. In the 8th minute Jonathan Lacey put the ball across the face of goal, and Ashley Addison had a shot blocked. Three minutes later Curtis Donaldson went on a great solo run before hitting a fierce shot that struck the base of the post.

It didn’t take Donaldson long to find the net, as he drove home a low shot to open the scoring in the 18th minute, and Ross Adams added a second goal four minutes later with another low shot that went in off the post.

Green keeper Callum Woods maintained his side’s two goal lead going into the break with a reaction save to tip the ball onto the bar as Harpenden took a quick free kick.

Harpenden pulled a goal back seven minutes into the second half, but Leverstock soon re-established their two goal lead as Lacey went on a mazy solo run into the box before shooting home for a third Green goal on 58 minutes.

Three minutes later Lacey was on the scoresheet again as he spotted the keeper off his line and netted with a long-distance lob, and Donaldson completed the scoring with an even longer-distance lob on 81 minutes. The second half saw several changes to the side, including the first Leverstock appearance for midfielder Ben Butler in four years.

Paul Hunt was pleased with his side’s performance and believes he is putting together a strong squad. Their next test is at home to Evergreen on Tuesday night, kick-off 6.45 pm.