Spartan South Midlands Football League
2003-2004 Season
Premier Division

St Margaretsbury 1 Leverstock Green 1

Tuesday, 18 November 2003



Leverstock Green gained their first point for three weeks with another good display and this time got something out of the match. In fact the Green finished easily the stronger of the two sides.

Andy Phillips set the scene with a great tackle in the 4th minute, winning the ball and playing the ball to Matt Wardle who shot at goal went inches past the post with Hayward at full stretch. Two minutes later Matt Timberlake made a fine save from Lovett after St Margaretsbury broke quickly to set up the chance. A few seconds later Abbott was allowed a free header at goal with the Green defence on the wrong foot.

In the 12th minute Wardle laid a lovely ball to Matt Johnson who shot on the run and made Hayward save his goal bound shot. Again Wardle was involved, on this occasion he latched on to a loose ball and his shot hit the goal keeper in the chest and Hayward gathered the ball at the second attempt.

In the 21st minute Nicky Winger scored to give St Margaretsbury the lead, he managed to get to the ball after the Green defence hesitated and Timberlake came off his line, he played the ball into the far corner of the net.

The Green came right back at St Margaretsbury when Tony Sears went a good run after a long kick by Timberlake, he rounded a defender and took a touch on the ball but he could only hit the goal keeper with the shot and the shot was saved by Hayward.

In the 30th minute the Green equalised, Matt Wardle gave the ball to Andy Phillips and his cross caught the St Margaretsbury defence out and they struggled to clear the ball. Tony Sears pounced on the loose ball and smashed it into the empty net.

The Green now got the bit between their teeth and should really have won the game in the second half. Just after the restart Timberlake kicked another long ball which Wardle picked up and turned his marker but put his shot past the post. Two minutes later Matt Johnson was fouled on the edge of the box when well placed to go on and shoot at goal, the resulting free kick was easily cleared.

The Green had a shout for a penalty in the 63rd minute, Matt Johnson picked up the ball went past a defender who pushed him in the back which caused Johnson to stumble but the referee waved play on. Three minutes after this the Green could have gone in front, a Whitby free kick after Sears was fouled found the head of Steve Boad but his header missed the goal from only 7 yards out.

Dennis Fenemore came on for Matt Johnson who had a fair game at centre forward with 20 minutes to go, Manager Vipond signalling to all that the Green could win the game. Another long clearance by Timberlake was missed by the St Margaretsbury defence and Tony Sears was on to the ball very quickly but he put the ball wide of the goal.

With 10 minutes to play the Green created two further chances the first from a well worked free kick by Whitby found Lee Johnson, but his header went over the bar and Fenemore made one of his good runs and sent his shot past the goal keeper and also the post. A good all round performance by the Green, the supporters giving the Green a big slap on the back for their performance.

Team: Timberlake, Butcher, Beamish, Matt Johnson, Lee Johnson, Boad, Phillips, Whitby, Wardle, Sears and Milton. Subs: Fenemore for Matt Johnson, Brett, Masters and Simpson did not play

Tony Smart