Leverstock Green returned to the top of the Premier Division with a comfortable win against Tring Athletic in tonight’s game. Mick Vipond had injury problems, with Steve Boad, Mark Welling and John Pedder all unable to play, but Paul Matthews was brought in at the back for his first game of the season, and Ryan Upton was back in the side after being cup-tied on Saturday.

 

Having struggled to find the net in their last three games, Leverstock got off to the ideal start as they took the lead within the opening minute. Dale Sears hurled a long throw into the box which was flicked on by Allan Arthur, and the ball dropped for Terry Chamberlin to smash home his first goal for the club.

 

Green dominated the early stages, and Arthur had the ball in the net soon after, but it was ruled out for offside. Louis West went on a great run down the right which ended with a shot from a narrow angle which was turned away by Tring keeper Gary White. A second goal looked likely, and it arrived on 13 minutes. Paul Leslie’s corner was headed away, but Chamberlin returned the ball to Leslie, and this time his cross to the far post found Arthur, who brought the ball down and fired home to put Leverstock 2-0 ahead.

 

Green keeper Mark Davidson wasn’t brought into action until the 28^th minute when he had to turn away Terry Phillips’ long-range shot, and the resulting corner had to be cleared off the line. Leverstock went close again on 39 minutes when Upton’s free kick found Lee Johnson, but his header was saved by White. The half ended with Tring’s Gary Nicholson hitting a shot from distance just wide.

 

Seven minutes into the second half the game was as good as sealed. Leslie’s free kick from inside the centre circle was headed across goal by Sears, and Upton came in at the far post to shoot home his first goal for the club and put Leverstock 3-0 up.

 

The rest of the game was a disappointment, though, as it degenerated into a scrappy, niggly affair. Neither side was able to play any flowing football or create any chances, and Matthews, Arthur, Leslie and Upton all picked up unnecessary yellow cards as Leverstock reacted to frequent provocation. Green must now focus on Saturday’s crucial home game against free-scoring Hertford Town, currently third in the table.

 

Team: Davidson, Matthews, Leslie, West, Johnson, Chamberlin (Bull), Sears, Upton, Armstrong (Hallissey), Arthur (Caseman), Sangster.