Leverstock Green had a disappointing Tuesday night as they went down to a single-goal defeat to Harpenden Town at Pancake Lane. In a game of few chances and little goalmouth action, Leverstock played much of the game with ten men and finished up with nine.

The visitors, for whom former Green striker Chris Blunden was making his debut, took the lead in the 12th minute. A moment of defensive hesitation allowed Matt Standen to win the ball and run through to shoot home from a narrow angle.

In the 19th minute Leverstock were reduced to ten men. Cass Grant lost control of the ball in midfield and then launched into a dangerous sliding studs-up challenge at an opponent, and it was no surprise when the referee immediately brandished a straight red card.

Harpenden had much the better of the first half, but apart from the goal only had a few shots off-target to show for it. Leverstock had their first glimmer of a chance in first half stoppage time when a long throw from Alex Ward dropped in the box for Louie Griffiths, but his shot was turned away by keeper Alex Desmond.

The second half was a similar story, with the visitors struggling to put together meaningful attacks as much as the Green side. Griffiths had a good attempt at goal in the 70th minute, but it went over the bar, and in the closing minutes Leverstock won two corners in quick succession – their first of the game – which caused some concern in the Harpenden six-yard box, but nobody could put the ball away. In truth, neither keeper had a save to make in the second half.  With two minutes left to play skipper John Smith was sin-binned, which was the end of his game, and the nine men were not able to pull off another late escape.

Leverstock Green returned to winning ways with an excellent three points against a team in the top six. It was their third come-from-behind win of the season, all of them after conceding an early goal. It was a good game to watch, albeit with not too many clear-cut chances for either side.

There were two new signings in the squad today, with Darion Furlong, previously with London Colney, starting up front, and Conor Blake, signed from Tring Athletic, coming on as a second half substitute.

Having made such a poor start in Tuesday night’s defeat at Leighton Town, the last thing the Green side needed was to concede another early goal, but they did, and this one was somewhat self-inflicted. Matt Fallon came out of his penalty area to clear the ball, but didn’t catch it right and the ball went straight to Taishan Jordan, who instantly launched a lob over the stranded Fallon towards the empty net. Although Fallon scrambled back to get a hand on the ball, it had already crossed the line.

However, Leverstock settled down and started to play some good football, with Furlong and Louie Griffiths looking lively as a front two. A deserved equaliser came in the 17th minute, scored by Steve Hawes, who brought the ball down on his chest about 20 yards out before striking a low shot which found the corner of the net.

Harefield came close to a second goal four minutes later when a cross from Samuel Shaw just missed Richard Pacquette coming in at the far post. Leverstock had a near miss in the 35th minute as Cass Grant went on a run down the left before crossing for Furlong, who turned and shot over the bar.

Leverstock continued to play well in the second half, and in the 65th minute they put together an excellent move which started in their own half. It finished with Frankie Jowle and Louie Griffiths combining to set up Alex Ward for a cross which found John Smith, whose goalbound shot was turned into the net by Cass Grant to put the Green into a 2-1 lead.

The game remained tight until the end, with Harefield substitute Gurkan Gokmen having a couple of chances in the last minute, but hitting one over the bar and another into the side netting. The Green defence played well throughout the game and Fallon redeemed himself with some decisive goalkeeping, confidently claiming a number of crosses and corners.