Leverstock Green’s pre-season has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, which hasn’t been helped by Fergus Moore not having all of his players available at any one time due to holidays. An opening 5-3 win against Broadfields United was followed by a 7-1 defeat to Egham Town, while last week’s excellent 2-2 draw against AFC Dunstable was followed by an 8-2 defeat in heatwave conditions at North Greenford United on Tuesday night. A much-improved performance on Thursday night saw Leverstock beaten 4-2 at home by Isthmian League side Uxbridge.

Again there were a number of core squad members missing for Saturday’s match against Brook House at Rectory Park, but the side turned in their best performance so far to record an impressive 8-1 win which could have been ever greater but for the woodwork being hit several times.

There were a number of near-misses in the opening five minutes, but it took until the 11th minute for Leverstock to take the lead, with Lewis Collins showing some nice footwork in the box before drilling home a low shot from a narrow angle.

Goalkeeper Oscar Frost maintained the lead with a couple of good saves before the Green side took control of the game with two goals inside a minute. Firstly in the 19th minute George Mitchell-Gears floated in a lob from the right touchline which may have been intended as a cross but flew straight over the keeper’s outstretched arm into the top corner of the net. Then a minute later Collins added his second with a simple tap-in after the keeper had parried a shot.

A trialist added the fourth goal in the 25th minute with a simple shot home, and it was 5-0 in the 30th minute when Collins laid the ball back for Mitchell-Gears to shoot home his second goal.

Five changes were made at half time but Leverstock continued to impress, and the sixth goal came in the 53rd minute when the trialist crossed for Collins to complete his hat-trick from close range.

In the 59th minute it was 7-0 as Callum Moore had a run at goal and hit a shot which brought a good save out of the keeper, however Collins followed in to net his fourth of the afternoon. Moore should have added a goal himself in the 65th minute as Mitchell-Gears set him up with a chance, but he somehow hit the bar from a couple of yards out.

A clean sheet would have been welcome, but it was not to be as Brook House pulled a goal back in the 81st minute. However, two minutes later Jack Allen set up Mitchell-Gears to complete his hat-trick and restore the seven-goal advantage.

Leverstock have two remaining friendlies to complete before their opening league game. They are at home to Hadley on Tuesday night, and at home to Totternhoe next Saturday.

Starting XI: 1. Oscar Frost, 2. Alex Marsh, 3. Dan Weeks, 18. George McCluskey, 5. Trialist, 6. Ollie Cox, 7. Lewis Collins, 8. Ibrahim Nagheeb, 9. Trialist, 10. George Mitchell-Gears, 11. Luke Beckwith.
Subs used included: 19. Rio Beach, 12. Jack Allen, 4. Sean Walsh, 20. Alfie Herd, 15. Callum Moore.