This first pre-season friendly run out of the season was actually preceded by a game between a young Leverstock Green Reserve side and a team of Northwood trialists and proved highly entertaining. The Trees took a swift 2-0 lead as the Woods defence looked all at sea but the side eventually settled and got back on top before half-time with three quick goals, the last a free-kick with the last kick of the game.
In the second-half, Leverstock levelled quickly with a goal scored by a terrific turn of pace and that was how it ended – a 3-3 draw which both sides were happy with. It remains to be seen how many of the triallists will get further run-outs over the next few weeks but there were a few that showed signs of an ability to compete at our level.
The main event kicked-off at 3.15pm, and there were several familiar faces on view in the starting line-up. Rob Partington took his place in goal while Imran Uche and Matt Cooper were amongst the defensive group. Chris Gosling played in midfield while Alex Witham was up front. On the subs bench and ready to add pace in the second-half were Miguel Lopes De Matos, Kweku Lucan and Kyran Worrell.
It meant there were five new signings from the start – Sacha M’Baye and Liam McCrohan at the back; Jaiden Irish and Harry Lodovica in the midfield area while Marley Hamilton started up front. There were also three triallists taking part with Dan Pett, Kieran Asumadu-Sakyi and Dan Newton all unavailable and Ben Pattie ruled out with his broken ankle.
Both teams took time to settle and chances were few and far between in the early stages but Marley Hamilton went close on a couple of occasions for the Woods while Rob Partington had to make a fine double-save, keeping out a free-kick and the follow-up from the loose ball. Alex Witham flicked a shot across and past the goalkeeper which came back off the post while Sacha M’Baye’s effort from a corner was cleared of the line. Harry Lodovica showed good battling qualities to make plenty of attacking runs though he missed a good chance from a header.
Fairly early in the second half the Woods took the lead when Jaiden Irish slipped an excellent ball into the path of Kweku Lucan and he took it inside the box before burying a shot into the far corner. Unfortunately just a couple of minutes later an innocuous ball into the Northwood box struck an arm and the Referee somewhat harshly awarded a spot-kick which was tucked away to level the scores.
Northwood enjoyed the better of the second-half and looked most threatening from corners. On a couple of occasions, the ball dropped in the six-yard box but despite several opportunities, no-one could force the ball over the line.
Near the end of the match, the Trees almost grabbed an opportunity to snatch a winner but again Partington was equal to it. | 
