Leverstock Green played their final pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon against Northwood at Pancake Lane, and it proved to be a very tough afternoon against an excellent Southern League side under the new management of former Berkhamsted Town boss Simon Lane.

It was an unfamiliar Leverstock line-up that started the game, including six trialists. They were under pressure from the start, although it took 18 minutes for Northwood to take the lead through Pat Adamson. Two minutes later it became 2-0 from the penalty spot. A deflected shot on 26 minutes and an outrageous chip from distance three minutes later, both from Jamie Doolan, made it 4-0 and the 5th was scored in the 39th minute.

Five of the established players came on at half time, but they could do nothing to change the course of the game as Northwood continued to be dominant. The sixth goal came in the 57th minute, and the seventh goal in the 78th minute started a glut of four goals in little over five minutes to complete the double figure score.

With two important cup games coming up this week, it was hardly the ideal preparation, but Scott Dash and Mark Royal will be hoping their squad can put this afternoon behind them as they travel to Tring Athletic on Tuesday night in the first round of the Herts Charity Shield.

Leverstock Green continued their pre-season build-up with a home friendly against Southern League side Barton Rovers. The games finished as a win for the visitors, but it was an excellent display by the Leverstock side and an entertaining game all-round for the spectators.

The Barton side included Curtis Donaldson, a prolific scorer for the Green over the last two seasons. Leverstock had a chance to take the lead in the 20th minute when a pass from Jonathan Lacey put Sammy Nair through on goal, but his shot was saved by the keeper. It was Barton who scored the opening goal in the 27th minute. Green keeper Charlie May did well to save a header from a corner, but Nathan Olakube followed up to net the rebound.

The scores were levelled in the 36th minute. Lacey hit a shot from the edge of the box which was well-saved, but the loose ball eventually came to David Lawrence, who poked it home for the equaliser. However, Barton were back in front within a couple of minutes with a well-taken goal from Joshua Oyinsan. In the last minute of the half both Lacey and Nair hit shots that brought good saves out of the Barton keeper.

Leverstock continued to play well in the second half, despite the wet conditions that persisted throughout the game. In the second minute of the half Alex Marsh hit a great shot which was tipped over the bar by the keeper. On 56 minutes Brima Johnson won the ball from a Barton defender and immediately played it through to Nair, whose rasping shot rattled the post. Five minutes later an impressive passing move ended with Johnson sending a cross to the far post to find Lacey, whose header was blocked on the line, with Lawrence just failing to get on the end of the rebound.

Starting team: Charlie May, Zak Howells, Brima Johnson, Lewis Bowers, Reece Fallon, Ben Darby, Ross Adams, Chris Marsh, David Lawrence, Jonathan Lacey, Sammy Nair.
Also used: Alex Marsh, Aaron Flood, Mason Tunbridge, Luke Nugent, Kendall Allen, Karl Thomas, Casey Linsell.

Earlier in the day Leverstock’s under-18 side enjoyed an excellent 4-1 win over Barton’s under-18 side.

Leverstock’s final pre-season friendly is next Saturday at home to another Southern League side, Northwood.