Match Report
Tuesday 8th February 2011 Molten Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division
Leverstock Green (0) 0
Hatfield Town (0) 1 Farrelly 86 pen
at Pancake Lane

With the big FA Vase tie just four days away, Leverstock Green manager Steve Heath took no chances with his line-up for tonight's league game against Hatfield Town. Almost all of his first-choice players were rested, with the side being made up of squad players and reserve team players. The side held its own against a Hatfield side which itself has had an almost complete turnover of players in recent weeks, but a late penalty was enough for the visitors to take all the points.

The first half was forgettable, with neither side mustering an effort on target. In the 12th minute Jon Davies played a low free kick into the box which Sonny Aird came in to meet, but put the ball wide. On 18 minutes, Stefan Owen-Edwards, making his first team debut, hit a long-range shot just wide. At the other end on 42 minutes Lewis Rolfe struck a free kick just over the bar.

There was more action in the second half. In the 50th minute Gareth Tinsley had to save with his legs when a free kick was flicked on to Gary Jones. On 61 minutes a free kick from Rolfe went across the face of the Green goal and wide.

On 68 minutes a pass from Aird found Davies on the edge of the box, but he shot just wide. A minute later at the other end Tinsley did well to save a low shot from Ryan North, and on 72 minutes Tinsley tipped a goalbound effort from Jones over the bar. Davies was Leverstock's main goal threat tonight, and he was close again on 83 minutes as a long-range free kick went a foot over the bar.

A goalless draw was looking likely, but in the 86th minute Hatfield won a free kick just outside the box. Jason Caswell's shot was blocked by the Green wall, but the referee adjudged that it had hit a hand, and awarded a penalty. Max Farrelly sent Tinsley the wrong way from the spot to score what proved to be the winner for his side.

The important thing is that Steve Heath got through the night with his squad intact for the biggest game in the club's history. Rye United visit Pancake Lane for the FA Vase Fifth Round tie on Saturday, and all eyes are now on that game.
Leverstock Green: 1. Gareth Tinsley, 2. Lee Bircham, 3. Kris Tyrell, 4. Steve Hatch, 5. Louis West, 6. Sonny Aird (14. Joe Cooper 90+2 mins), 7. Jon Davies, 8. Steve Hutchins, 9. Mark Hansard, 10. Bekim Culaj, 11. Stefan Owen-Edwards (12. Ryan Fahy 88 mins). Subs not used: 15. Andrew Cracknell, 16. Carl Tasker.
Hatfield Town: 1. Will Norris, 2. Max Farrelly, 3. Jay Welsh, 4. Grant Macaree, 5. Lewis Rolfe, 6. Gary Jones, 7. Ben Walker, 8. Bruce Tahon, 9. Jason Caswell (12. David Ogbogu 88 mins), 10. Adam Parker (14. Aron Grant 65 mins), 11. Ryan North (15. Adrian Stevens 81 mins). Subs not used: 16. James Millard, 17. Terry Caswell.