Leverstock Green won their first match under the management of Steve Benitez as they overcame United Counties League side Desborough Town by the odd goal in seven in their latest pre-season friendly on Saturday.

The visitors were in front inside two minutes as John Mitchell was put through to slide the ball under Green keeper Luke Midwinter, but the scores were levelled two minutes later as a fine passing move culminated in James Dabbs threading a pass through for Paul Insley to finish confidently.

The Green were playing some good football and took the lead in the 12th minute when Adam Hallissey ran onto a through ball and scored with a shot that went under the visiting keeper's body.

Brad Harris headed against the post from a corner on 28 minutes as Desborough threatened to equalise, but Leverstock should have scored again a minute later. Stefan Owen-Edwards was clean through, but the keeper saved and Hallissey blasted the rebound over the bar. Desborough eventually equalised on 37 minutes as Leverstock were caught on the break from a free kick inside the opposition box and Mitchell went through to score his second.

The goals continued to come in the second half. On 57 minutes Hallissey scored at the second attempt from Alex McCarthy's cross, and completed his hat-trick ten minutes later, shooting home from the edge of the box after a shot from Gerrard Flanagan had been blocked.

Mitchell completed his hat-trick as well, pulling a goal back for Desborough on 76 minutes. Dabbs and Adiel Mannion were both denied further goals for Leverstock by good saves, and the visitors had several decent opportunities to equalise, but the score finished up at 4-3 with the spectators enjoying an entertaining game of football.

Starting team: Luke Midwinter, Adiel Mannion, Kris Tyrell, Mark Shadbolt, Ross Miller, Ben Butler, James Dabbs, Paul Insley, Alex McCarthy, Stefan Owen-Edwards, Adam Hallissey. Subs used: Chris Cutler, Gerrard Flanagan, Patrick Fromant, Marvin Tabi.

The first team game was followed by a meeting of the two reserve sides. Desborough's reserves scored in the 37th minute for a 1-0 half-time lead, and went two goals up in the 75th minute. The game looked to be petering out over the closing minutes until Miley Cash struck for Leverstock in the 87th and 89th minutes to rescue an unlikely 2-2 draw.

Reserves starting XI: Sean Stephens, Chris Armorgie, Jack Watts, Darren Bloor, Ricky Eagles, Louis Wakefield, Jack Robinson, Joe Kemp, Jon Davies, Miley Cash, Harry Crane.