Leverstock Green's extraordinary season continued as they booked a third cup final appearance. Craig Preston's goal in the second period of extra time was enough for a 1-0 win over Hatfield Town in Tuesday night's Herts Charity Shield semi-final. It certainly wasn't pretty, but Steve Heath's side again showed their character to battle through a difficult game and eventually prevail.

It was a game of few chances, and one of the best ones was created by Leverstock in the 15th minute. Ben Butler played the ball out to Lewis Pritchard, who squared across the box for the oncoming Dan Griggs, but his sidefooted shot hit the post. The visitors had a good chance on 42 minutes, as hesitancy in the Green defence alllowed Gary Jones to run onto a through ball. Jones hit a good shot but Carl Tasker threw up an arm to divert it round the post.

Most of the second half was an instantly forgettable midfield struggle, but there were some chances towards the end of the game. On 83 minutes Mark Shadbolt had to clear off the line after Tasker failed to claim a Hatfield free kick. Two minutes from time a ball was played forward to Butler. Hatfield keeper Will Norris got there first and punched it away, but only as far as Pritchard, who then hit a weak shot straight back to Norris. Two minutes into stoppage time came the best chance of all as Lee Bircham's ball down the left channel put Adam Hallissey through on goal. Hallissey's shot beat Norris, but went across goal and wide.

Goalless at 90 minutes, the game went into extra time. The first period had a similar lack of chances, until the 14th minute when Hallissey received a ball from Butler, and hit a shot on the turn from close range, but Norris did well to save it.

Two minutes into the second period though, Leverstock won a throw near the corner flag. Griggs hurled the ball into the box, Steve Hatch flicked it on, and Craig Preston came in to bundle the ball home at the far post and finally break the deadlock.

Hatfield could have equalised two minutes later, but Arron Grant headed over the bar from close range. Butler could have added a second, but Norris saved well to deny him from Hallissey's cross.

In the end the single goal was enough. It was tough on Hatfield, who themselves battled well throughout, but it is Leverstock who go through to the final, where they will meet London Colney, who beat Sawbridgeworth Town 5-1 in the night's other semi-final. The final will be played at the County Ground, Letchworth on Tuesday 10th May.