Report by Scott Isaacs

A depleted Leverstock Green Ladies side travelled to top of the league Colchester Ladies today and despite playing the first 35 minutes with only 10 players, managed to scrape a valuable and hugely impressive slender one goal win.

Kick off was delayed by 15 minutes to allow players stuck in an earlier incident on the M1 to complete their journey. Whilst stand in keeper Lucy Tape managed to make kick off, it was 35 minutes into the first half before right back Faye Potton arrived, to provide Levy with the full complement of eleven players. Despite being a player down for the majority of the first half Levy were well disciplined and resolute in holding the hosts at bay.

With the introduction of Potton the game steadily began to swing as Levy began to get a foothold in the match. In the second half Captain Fantastic and player of the match Jo Williams converted a Gemma Coggins corner to give Levy a somewhat surprise lead on the stroke of 65 minutes. Williams received the ball on the edge of the box and coolly shifted it across her body and into space before bending it out of the keeper's reach and into the top corner of the net.

In difficult conditions Levy ladies were immense in defence with Steph Palfrey, Ellie Pickard, Heather Eaton and Faye Potton putting in sterling performances to keep the hosts at bay. Donna McAvoy was assured in attack and defence and provided a much needed physical presence across the park whilst stand in keeper Lucy Tape was outstanding, making several top class saves to keep the Green's hopes of a win alive.

Gemma Coggins and wing counterpart Tasha Sherriff were industrious throughout and provided outlets down both wide channels. Giselle Randall and regular strike partner Nic Hollick held the ball well and were gritty in breaking down play in the middle of the park, whenever Colchester looked set to pounce.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, Coggins landed awkwardly twisting her neck and the game was temporarily halted whilst she received emergency first aid. Unable to continue, Levy found themselves back down to 10 as they were when the game kicked off. It was a nervy end to the match with Williams vitally clearing off the line with just a couple of minutes remaining to ensure Levy gained all three points from the league's current top team.

This was a fantastic result for the eleven ladies of Levy and with a home tie against Acle next week, it's hopeful they can finish what's been a rather frustrating season at times, on a high.