Leverstock Green continued their pre-season build-up with an excellent 2-1 win over neighbours Hemel Hempstead Town. With Hemel also having a friendly at Berkhamsted later in the afternoon, the side that visited Pancake Lane was largely comprised of trialists, but it was still a strong side and an impressive result for Fergus Moore’s side to come out on top on a very warm afternoon.

After a couple of early efforts at goal, the Green side took the lead in the 13th minute. Hemel failed to clear as the ball was bouncing around the six yard box, and Lewis Collins pounced to shoot home from close range range for his second goal of pre-season.

Three minutes later Leverstock were threatening again, and Adam Wallace was brought down as he ran into the box. The referee pointed to the penalty spot, and Kian Wilkes placed his kick right into the corner of the net to put Leverstock 2-0 up.

Hemel pulled a goal back in the 34th minute as Joe Leslie hit an angled shot past Green keeper Alfie Bonfield. Leverstock almost added a third in first half stoppage time with a neat passing move that ended with Collins shooting into the side netting.

There were fewer chances in the second half as the heat began to take its toll on the players, but the Leverstock defence held out well throughout the half to maintain their lead and claim their first win of pre-season.

Starting XI: 1 Alfie Bonfield 2 Adrian Pitfield 3 Rio Beech 4 Paul Marks 5 Jamie Ovington 6 Ryan Carruthers 7 Ethan Mooney 8 Kian Wilkes 9 Adam Wallace 10 Isiah Noel-Williams 11 Lewis Collins.
Subs used: Scott McGleish, Lewis Nicholls, Paplamin Jawara, James Hall, Ollie Lawford.

Four days earlier, Leverstock drew 1-1 against AFC Hayes in a friendly played at Brunel University, with Steve Hawes scoring the goal.

The Fergus Moore era began in earnest as Leverstock Green played their first official friendly under their new management team. It turned out to be an excellent workout for the 20-man squad, as they led for most of the game against Southern League opposition, but were denied a win by a late AFC Dunstable equaliser.

The squad was a mixture of new arrivals and players familiar from last season, and it was one of the latter who put Leverstock into the lead in just the fifth minute of the game. Lewis Collins went on a mazy solo run into the box before slotting confidently past the visiting keeper for a very impressive goal to open the season with.

Kian Wilkes went close to doubling the lead in the 15th minute when he got on the end of Paplamin Jawara’s corner, but his header was just over the bar. Newcomers Rawan Sawle and Ethan Mooney both had efforts at goal in the remainder of a half that was somewhat disjointed as a result of four long stoppages for treatments to injuries, two from each side.

The second half saw many changes made, with both assistant manager Scott McGleish and coach Paul Marks making appearances. There were no further goals for the Leverstock side, but they looked solid at the back and dealt with the threat of prolific striker BJ Campbell very well. Five minutes from time the visitors finally forced home an equaliser, with Joe Hankins’ ball across goal going in off a Leverstock defender.

A good performance and result, and with six further friendlies to be played, the squad should be in good shape for the opening SSML Premier Division fixture against Baldock Town on Tuesday 3rd August.

Starting XI: 1. Alfie Bonfield 2. Tom Justin 3. Rio Beach 4. Jamie Ovington 5. George McCluskey 6. Steve Hawes 7. Ethan Mooney 8. Kian Wilkes 9. Rawan Sawle 10. Paplamin Jawara 11. Lewis Collins.
Subs used: Redha Zekri, Karl Beaumont, Harry Bonner, Lewis Nicholls, Ryan Carruthers, Isiah Noel-Williams, Paul Marks, Scott McGleish, Dan Weeks.