Match Report

Leverstock Green showed a massive improvement from last week’s display against London Colney, but it still wasn’t quite enough as they fell to a late goal to exit the FA Cup at the first hurdle despite doing enough to earn at least a replay.

Paul Hunt had regular keeper Liam Jahn back in the side, and with new signing Brima Johnson and Shane Wood coming into the back four as captain, the team looked much more solid at the back than last week.

Leverstock had their first effort on goal in the 9th minute when Ryan Luke played a ball forward to Lewis Bowers, who shot over the bar. Three minutes later the visitors had their first effort when the ball dropped to Greg Shaw just outside the box, but his shot also went over the bar.

London Colney had the game’s first real chance on 32 minutes when a pass from Mark Riddick put Archie McClelland clean through on goal, but as McClelland tried to take the ball round Jahn, the Green keeper stood his ground and dived to claim the ball.

Instead, it was 1-0 to Leverstock two minutes later, as Curtis Donaldson floated a free kick into the box, and George Biggadike got there ahead of hesitant keeper Tom Gowans to head home.

There could have been a second Leverstock goal a minute before the break when a header from Alex McCarthy gave Aaron Lewis a chance, but his shot was turned round the post by Cowans.

Leverstock went agonisingly close to a second goal again within two minutes of the restart as Shane Wood met Donaldson’s corner with a thumping header that rattled the crossbar. However, it was the visitors who scored the game’s next goal on 62 minutes after Leverstock couldn’t clear a corner, and substitute Jon Clements scored at the second time of asking after his first effort had been blocked on the line.

Clements almost put his side in front three minutes later, but his shot was cleared off the line by Ryan Luke. The game continued to be evenly-fought, with Aaron Lewis shooting over the bar on 69 minutes and Joel Williams hitting a long-range shot just wide ten minutes later for Leverstock.

Eight minutes from time, though, the visitors went in front with a bolt from the blue. Clements hit a shot from way out near the right touchline which seemed to have everyone fooled, and the ball flew past Jahn into the net for a 2-1 Colney lead.

There was almost an instant equaliser at the other end, but Ross Adams’ header went just wide. Leverstock pushed forward over the closing minutes in search of a goal to force a replay, but could not find one.

In the end it was probably the fitness of the Leverstock side that cost them, as the second half performance was not quite up to the standard of the first. However, the signs are encouraging for the Green side as they begin their league season with a local derby at Tring Athletic on Tuesday night, kick-off 7.45 pm.