Leverstock Green's competitive season got under way with a win as they held their nerve to win an epic penalty shoot-out against St Margaretsbury in the first round of the Herts Charity Shield. Green were a single kick away from defeat on two occasions during penalties, but still came through. This was technically a home game for St Margaretsbury, but as their ground was unavailable the tie was switched to Pancake Lane.

With many players currently on holiday this was an unfamiliar-looking Leverstock line-up, the back four in particular being a complete change from last season. Green certainly looked the more likely side to score during the first half, though. In the 7th minute Steve Hutchins floated a free kick into the box which found the head of Craig Preston, but he glanced the ball just wide. On 14 minutes Dan Picknell played the ball forward to Andrew Cracknell, who controlled it on his chest before threading a pass which put Lewis Pritchard through, but a heavy first touch allowed keeper James Sturgeon to come off his line and save Pritchard's eventual shot with his legs.

The only save Carl Tasker had to make in the first half was from Mitchell Linger in the 20th minute, as he cut in from the touchline before hitting a shot from a narrow angle. There was another chance for Green in the 38th minute when Pritchard slipped the ball through to Cracknell, whose shot beat Sturgeon but was cleared off the line by John Barker.

The game was goalless at half time, but Leverstock got their deserved goal just four minutes into the second half. A ball from defence found Pritchard by the touchline, and he cut inside before sending over a low cross that was blocked by a defender, but the rebound fell for Cracknell, who confidently shot past Sturgeon for the opening goal.

The introduction of substitute Chris Bell made St Margaretsbury look a more dangerous proposition, and they played their way back into the game. In the 65th minute a looping cross from Kaine Lovett looked to be heading into the top corner until Tasker tipped it over the bar. However, from the resulting corner Barker was unmarked at the far post, and his header found the net for the equaliser despite the attempt of Mark Shadbolt to head it off the line.

Tasker also had to tip over a dipping shot from Ted Clarke three minutes later, and shortly after Green were fortunate as Bell got in behind the defence and put over a cross which Richie Howard somehow failed to connect with, and Tasker was able to scramble the ball away.

Four minutes from time Tasker had to save with his legs when Howard was clean through, and at the other end Ryan Fahy hit a long-range shot which Sturgeon had to tip over the bar. The score was still 1-1 at 90 minutes, and with a rule change in the Herts Charity Shield this season, the game went straight to penalties without extra time being played.

Hutchins led off the shoot-out for Green with a successful kick, with Barker equalising for St Margaretsbury, however Green captain Picknell's effort on kick 2 was saved by Sturgeon. A series of successful kicks by both sides led up to Howard having a chance to win it with Bury's fifth kick, but Tasker saved with his legs to leave it at 4-4 and send the shoot-out into sudden death. All the remaining outfield players from both sides found the back of the net with their kicks to leave the score at 9-9 before it was the turn of the two keepers. Tasker was first up for Green, and could only look on in despair as his penalty sailed high and wide. However, he redeemed himself immediately by saving Sturgeon's kick as Green pulled back from the brink of defeat again. It was then back to the top of the order as Hutchins took his second spot kick and found the net. Barker could not follow suit this time, though, as Tasker was the hero again, diving to his left to save and win the shoot-out 10-9 for Leverstock.

Leverstock will be away to the winners of the Harpenden v Tring Athletic tie in the quarter-finals.