Leverstock Green crashed out of the Challenge Trophy at the first hurdle in disappointing fashion to Chesham United Reserves in Tuesday night's tie at Pancake Lane.

With one eye on Saturday's FA Cup tie at Staines Town, Green manager Dene Gardner made six changes from the starting line-up which came back from 3-1 down to beat Colney Heath 5-3 on Saturday. The Green side started brightly, playing some good football around the box, but not taking their chances to shoot when they were available. The best chance they created in the first half was in the 8th minute, when Lee Gardner chipped a pass through to Billy Smith, but he shot over the bar.

The Division One side grew in confidence as the game wore on, and they took the lead in the 23rd minute when Corey Johnson shot home from the edge of the box. The second goal came in the 42nd minute when Jack Harris rose unchallenged to meet a cross from the right and head home, leaving Leverstock requiring another big comeback to salvage the game.

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with the Green side growing increasingly frustrated at their inability to create chances. It looked more likely that any further goals would come from the visitors, with Kieran Jimmy having to produce a good save on 64 minutes to turn away a shot from Charlie Jones.

Substitutions during the second half saw Callum Wright, David Sobers and Timi Salako join the action, but a comeback still did not materialise. Wright had a good shooting chance but hit it straight at the keeper. Jimmy had to save again on 82 minutes when Johnson was clean through, and the first serious save that Chesham keeper Charlie Payne had to make was from Jimmy Talbot's low free kick on 85 minutes.

The end result was Leverstock's first cup defeat of the season, and a well-deserved win for the Chesham side. Attention now moves to the FA Cup, where Leverstock will attempt to defeat the odds against a side placed three divisions above them on Saturday.