News Item
Date Posted: Saturday 19th July 2014
Smith goal enough for another win

Leverstock Green 1 Welwyn Garden City 0

Leverstock Green claimed their second pre-season win of the week as they edged past SSML Division One side Welwyn Garden City 1-0 at Pancake Lane, although the margin of victory could have been more comfortable had their forwards had their finishing boots on.

Billy Smith had the first chance for Leverstock in the 7th minute when a pass from Tim Salako put him through, but he shot over the angle of post and bar. Callum Wright headed wide from a Smith free kick in the 17th minute, and three minutes later Salako struck a long-range effort over the bar.

The visitors had a chance on 25 minutes when Jason Caswell ran through a gap in the defence, but David Bailey came off his line to save well. Three minutes later Smith was clean through again from Dan Lake's pass, but shot across goal and wide. Finally on 34 minutes a great ball from Sledge Mubama put Smith through again, and this time he found the net despite the keeper getting a hand to his shot.

Leverstock made four changes at half time, but it was WGC who came out of the blocks faster in the second half, with most of the play in the first 15 minutes being in and around the Green box. However, Bailey was on good form in the Green goal, showing decisiveness to come off his line and cut out attacks early, and agility to keep out the shots that did get through to him.

There were more chances for Leverstock during the second half. On 59 minutes Smith robbed a defender and squared for Wright, but he shot over the bar. A minute later a curling effort from Wright was turned away by the keeper. In the closing minutes Salako made a strong run into the box, only for his shot to be blocked by the keeper and Luke Wells to put the rebound wide. Wells and Salako were both clean through during stoppage time but neither could hit the target.

Team: David Bailey, Sledge Mubama, Mark Shadbolt, Gavin Smith, Dean Kemp, Tim Salako, Callum Wright, Mark Woolley, Lawrence Femi, Dan Lake, Billy Smith. Also used: Liam O'Keefe, Liam Hind, James Sears, Luke Wells.