Up the Trees

Emma Smart – Chairmans Report

Well, well well, where do I start, what a whirlwind season this has been, especially the second half of the season. Most of you would have read my Christmas report which gave a sum up of the first half of the season where we said goodbye to Dean, We welcomed a new Development side, The first team started their season strong remaining in the top of the table, We welcomed new managers to the club and work off the pitch continued as always. Fast forward, to the end of the season and how do I sum this one up.

On the Pitch

The weather after Christmas was enough to dampen anyone’s mood and it caused so many games to be cancelled and a huge backlog of games towards the end of the season. Games were swapped, Christmas local derbies were called off and we were all left wondering when it would end. Even as I sit here in May, writing this… its raining. Some highlights in the second half of the season, MUST be beating Real Bedford at home, the ONLY team to beat them this season, what a win that would end up being. Another Draw with MK Irish and beating two Northampton sides to get into the Gladwish Final. We played Tring twice in 7 days and both games were extremely competitive and saw some really good football played. April comes around and the end of the season draws in… were sitting in a play-off position and the games are coming thick and fast. By the middle of April, our playoff position was guaranteed it was now in our hands as to where we would finish. Tring, the last game of the season and we need a win to Finish 3rd and have a home draw in the Semi Final vs Harpenden. They beat us 1-0 and we finished the Season in 4th by goal difference meaning an away Tie in the Semi Final.

On Wednesday 1st May we travelled to Harpenden with a crowd of 917, a good mix of Harps and Levy fans and went into the game with the mindset of what happens happens, we were proud of the achievement. I said it many times that night, if someone had told me we would be sit ting here at the play offs I would have pinched myself. We went 1-0 up after 4 minutes and then quickly made it 2-0 before half time, each and every one of those lads putting 150% into their game. Harps came out strong in the second half and looked like they could get one back, but super-sub Beckwith had other ideas and a 3rd goal went in. Harps score a goal, and the last 10 minutes go by slow… whilst goes and the celebrations start, we had made it into the Play Off Final, this would end up being at home to FC Romania who beat MK Irish 3-0.

After an extremely hard 4 days of organizing, Monday 6th May arrived, and we welcomed 914 people into Pancake Lane on a very very wet day. What a game this would turn out to be. The rain made the pitch difficult to play on so long balls and not much fancy football was the key to this one. We took the lead and then another… and then another. We were 3-0 and it suddenly hit me what that meant.

The final whistle goes, and we had done it… Little Old Levy have been promoted to Step 4 Football. For the first time in Leverstock Green history, we were playing Step 4!! The celebrations continued well into the night and the boys truly deserved this as they have put so much into it this season.

But we weren’t finished there, we travelled to Harpenden Town on 11 th May to face London Lions in the Gladwish Final which saw us go 1-0 down early on before coming back and winning 4-1. We had done the double, but we also said goodbye to the Legend that is Paul Marks as he retires from playing.

And still we were not done, on Friday 17th May we travelled to Hemel FC to face Harpenden once again in the St Mary’s Cup Final where we hoped to retain the trophy. We went 1-0 up after a penalty but it was a game of lots of missed chances for Leverstock and great goalkeeping by the Harpenden Keeper. A hattrick from Jake Anthony, took away the chance of a Treble for Levy and Harpenden were crowned Champions of the St Mary’s Cup.

Take nothing away from Friday night, The boys have had the best season Leverstock have ever had and each and every one of them and everyone off the pitch deserves this. Next year Levy will play in the Southern League Central Div 1 playing against ex Sparta n teams, Kings Langley, Berkhamsted, Stotfold, Leighton and Hadley amongst a few of the teams.

The Development Team stormed ahead with the new management team after a shak y start, they only lost 3 of their last 18 games pushing them up into finishing 8th in the league. This was an outstanding achievement for the management team and the players, showing their abilities and skills. They also had a backlog of games due to the weather and with some of the players stepping up from the under 18’s this caused some of the players to be playing 4 times in 5 days! But they continued to fight and dug in deep to finish the season strongly.

I am very happy to say we are continuing with the team next season all be it they will now be Leverstock Green Reserves and we will continue to grow the under 18’s into men’s football and push them to the first team.

The under 18’s continued to push against some very tough opposition this season and over the season took some losses that were worthy of wins. They faced some tough issues this year and were put through their paces with difficulties on and off the pitch. A huge highlight was welcoming Kings Langley to Levy and beating them 4-1 in a very tough contested game. The lads continued to push themselves in every game with at least 6 of them stepping up to the Development games on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, Aaron, Dan and Dan will be leaving us this year and taking a step away from management. I truly cannot thank these guys enough for all the time and effort they have given the club this year. Three great people who fitted into the club’s etho s from the get-go. I wish you all the luck in the world.

Off the Pitch

The work off the pitch carried on as normal with daily jobs completed, the normal running of the club and supporting the lads on and off the pitch. The grounds team have once again excelled this year with their efforts in maintaining a quality playing surface against some very tough conditions and a lot of cancellations. I know work has already begun on the pitch, it’s true, a groundman’s job is never complete.

We have secured a partnership with Apsley Football Club which will see Youth football being played at Leverstock on Sunday mornings. This ranges from the ages of 7-16’s and will be run by Garry Harvey. I for one cannot wait to see youth back at the club and I’m very proud to have this opportunity to grow a Partnership with Apsley.

All of the committee work their socks off every day in various roles to ensure the running of the club is a success and games are carried out to the best of our abilities. I am so thankful to all of them for helping support me to ensure that Levy continues to be the club that we have always been and continues to strive to push higher.

A huge thank you to Lords who continue to support the club in various ways, it’s been great see so many of the Lords family come down and see the club and watch the games. We couldn’t do what we do without your continued support.

This year we pushed out the sponsorship and we gained some relationships with local businesses and those wanting to support the club. I just want to say a very big thank you to all those who sponsored us in a variety of ways this season.

The final thanks go to the Management Teams, the Players, the Supporters and the Backroom staff including the Bar and Tear bar staff. The ship that is Leverstock Green Football Club wouldn’t be what it is without you all and your continued efforts. It’s a great place to be involved with and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

The pride I take from the achievements we have made this year is overwhelming, I cannot thank everyone for the messages of congratulations and the messages of good luck along the way. I am truly buzzing, and this will live with me forever.

I cannot wait to see what next season brings at the club, but we take a step into a world of football we have never been to before and we will face these challenges head on. There will be a lot of changes at the club this year and we hope you continue to support us as we make these changes. Enjoy the break and I will look forward to seeing you all back again for the 24/25 season in STEP 4!

Your Chairman Emma

On The Pitch

First Team

Fergus Moore – Manager Scott McGleish – Assistant Manager

Ross Bargent, Darren Bonfield, Aaron Eales Coach GK Coach Coach

Development Team

Andy Murray – Manager Steve Newing – Coach

Mark McGinty- Coach

Under 18’s

Aaron McIntosh – Manager Dan Renton – Joint Manager

Dan Sadler – Coach

Club Physio

Dan Homer

Alan Lee Reporting Harpenden Town 1 Leverstock

Green 3

Leverstock Green are one win from promotion to Step Four after a stunning playoff semi-final win at Harpenden Town on Wednesday night. In front of a crowd of over 900, the Leverstock side produced a superb display, scoring goals through quick counter-attacking football and being solid and disciplined at the back throughout. Leverstock will now be at home to FC Romania in the final on Bank Holiday Monday after their surprise 3-0 win at MK Irish in the other semi-final.

It was a full-strength Leverstock line-up that started the game, including talismanic striker Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica, who had been rested for several weeks due to injury. Four minutes into the game, Stefanoaica won the ball off a defender in midfield and headed straight for goal, going past a couple of defenders before hitting a shot that should have been gathered by keeper Eman Olajide, but Olajide spilled the ball and Rawn Seale slid in to stab the loose ball home and put Leverstock into an early 1-0 lead

The goal sparked the home side into a response, and in the 8th minute James Ewington ran onto a flick-on to go through on goal, but Josh Bowler pulled off the first of several great saves to turn Ewington’s shot round the post. In the 14th minute a shot from Dave Keenleyside was deflected over the bar, and from the resulting corner Bowler dived down low at his near post to turn a shot from Dan Palmer wide.

Each side were enjoying spells of pressure. In the 20th minute Rio Beach clipped a pass forward for Stefanoaica to chase, but Olajide just got to it first. Bowler saved again in the 25th minute to turn a free kick from Keenleyside round the post. In the 33rd minute Ryan Carruthers had space in midfield, and played a pass to give Seale a chance, but his shot was saved by Olajide. Three minutes later Dan Pett played a great pass to give Ethan Mooney a run at goal, but his shot was blocked wide.

In the 38th minute Leverstock doubled their lead with a classic counterattack. A Harpenden cross was booted clear by Beach as far as Stefanoaica, who played a crossfield ball to Mooney. Mooney pushed forward before playing a through pass into the path of Seale, and Seale squared across the box to find Stefanoaica, who took a touch before blasting home a shot into the corner of the net.

Leverstock took their two-goal lead into the second half, with Harpenden making a double change at the break. Just before the hour mark there was a blow as Paul Marks had to come off injured, but former Harpenden player Josh Dooley came on to take his place and gave another impressive display alongside skipper Dan Weeks in central defence. There was another great save from Bowler in the 67th minute to tip a header from Palmer over the bar.

In the 69th minute Luke Beckwith came off the bench to replace Stefanoaica, and seconds later Beckwith received a pass down the left from Seale, then delivered the perfect cross for Mooney to shoot home the third Leverstock goal from close range.

The third goal looked to have killed the game off, but in the second of six additional minutes, Harpenden pulled a goal back. Archie Locke was unlucky with a header that came back off the bar, but when the rebound wasn’t cleared Locke got up to lash a shot home and give his side some faint hope. It turned out to be just a consolation, though, as Leverstock held onto their 3-1 lead, and this exceptional team moved one step closer to history.

Leverstock Green (2) 3 (Seale 4, Stefanoaica 38, Mooney 70)

1. Josh Bowler, 2. Callum Neal, 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Paul Marks (16. Josh Dooley 59 mins), 6. Ryan Carruthers, 7. Ethan Mooney (17. George Mitchell-Gears 89 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale (15. Guiseppe Delgaudio 76 mins), 10. Nat Connolly (12. Ademide Baruwa 90+2 mins), 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica (14. Luke Beckwith 69 mins).

Man of the Match vs Harpenden Town was Josh Bowler presented by

Keith Pym and Emma Smart

Play Off Semi Final Celebrations

Alan Lee Reporting Leverstock Green 3 FC Romania 0

Leverstock Green are celebrating promotion to Step 4 for the first time ever after a 3-0 win over FC Romania in Monday’s SSML Premier Division playoff final in front of a bumper crowd of 914.

Constant rain from mid-morning through the afternoon meant that playing conditions were very difficult. On a normal day the game would probably have been postponed or abandoned early on with surface water splashing up from the start, but the game went ahead and both sides did their best to cope with the conditions.

Leverstock had a chance in the 6th minute when a defender missed the ball to leave Rawn Seale through on goal, but his run was stopped when the ball got caught in the surface water, and his attempted layoff to Ethan Mooney didn’t get there. Three minutes later a flick-on from Seale put Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica through, but his first-time shot was saved by keeper Elgi Fejzo.

The visitors threatened in the 15th minute when a shooting chance opened up for Zenon Styliandes, but his shot went across goal and wide. Two minutes later Dan Pett had an effort from 20 yards which went inches over the bar. In the 20th minute a cross from Stefanoaica just eluded Seale sliding in at the far post.

The game was goalless at the break, but Leverstock made a breakthrough early in the second half. A superb cross from Callum Neal found Pett to head home and put Leverstock into a 49th minute lead.

The Leverstock defence was once again sturdy and disciplined, allowing FC Romania little in the way of chances. Leverstock increased their lead in the 77th minute. A free kick from Pett was not cleared by the visitors’ defence, and the ball rolled out to the edge of the area where Neal met it with a low shot drilled through a crowd of players which beat Fejzo and made it 2-0.

Three minutes later it was 3-0. As a cross came in from the left, it looked as though skipper Dan Weeks was set to score, but his shot was blocked. The rebound fell for Seale, and his shot hit a defender but still found its way into the corner of the net to put Leverstock within touching distance of promotion.

There were no further goals, and the final whistle triggered scenes of celebration as Leverstock lifted the playoff trophy. It is a reward that is truly deserved for Fergus Moore and Scott McGleish’s side as they have been outstanding all season and pulled out two great performances in the playoffs to clinch a promotion that would have been considered unlikely at the start of the season. Leverstock still have the chance for further glory this season with both the Gladwish Challenge Trophy and St Mary’s Cup finals to come.

Leverstock Green (0) 3 (Pett 49, Neal 77, Seale 80)

1. Josh Bowler, 2. Callum Neal (16. Josh Dooley 90 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Gary Connolly, 6. Ryan Carruthers (12. Ademide Baruwa 82 mins), 7. Ethan Mooney (14. Luke Beckwith 85 mins), 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale (17. George Mitchell-Gears 88 mins), 10. Nat Connolly, 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica (15. Guiseppe Delgaudio 72 mins).

Photos from the SSML Play Off Final vs FC

Romania

Alan Lee Reporting Leverstock Green 4 London Lions 1

Leverstock Green completed an amazing promotion and cup double as they lifted the Gladwish Challenge Trophy for the first time ever on Saturday. They had to come from behind against London Lions, but ran out 4-1 winners on a warm afternoon at Harpenden.

London Lions made the better start to the game, with Daniel Creese hitting a shot just over the bar with barely a minute played. However, Leverstock went close twice in quick succession. In the 9th minute a neat pass from Dan Pett put Guiseppe Delgaudio through on goal, but his shot was saved by keeper Nathan Bloohn. A minute later Delgaudio was through on goal again. This time his shot hit the post and rebounded back to Luke Beckwith, who couldn’t keep his shot under the bar. In the 32nd minute a free kick from Pett found George Mitchell-Gears, but his header went just wide.

In the 37th minute Callum Neal received a yellow card for a foul on Lions substitute Felix Shalom just outside the penalty area. Lions took full advantage with Austin Lipman blasting the resulting free kick past the wall and out of the reach of Josh Bowler to put his side 1-0 ahead.

Their lead lasted until the last minute of the half, when a shot from Mitchell-Gears was blocked by the hand of defender Adam Lipman, and the referee awarded the penalty to Leverstock. Beckwith netted the spot kick to send the sides into the break level at 1-1.

After an indifferent first half Leverstock stepped up a gear in the second half. They could have gone behind but for Rio Beach clearing off the line from a Lions corner in the 52nd minute, but they were soon ahead. In the 60th minute a superb cross from Pett found Callum Neal coming in at the far post to head home and put Leverstock 2-1 up.

In the 64th minute Ryan Carruthers brought the ball from his own penalty area deep into the Lions half before laying off for Beckwith, who shot over the ball. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica came on in place of Delgaudio, and four minutes later received a pass from Carruthers before cutting inside and curling a shot just over the angle of post and bar.

Bowler produced another crucial save in the 76th minute, going down low at his near post to turn away a shot from Sam Caulman. The game was still in the balance at 2-1, but in the 85th minute a piece of individual brilliance increased the Leverstock lead. Stefanoaica won the ball off a defender and headed straight for goal, leaving defenders in his wake before slotting a shot past Bloohn for his 24th goal of the season to put Leverstock 3-1 up. Two minutes later it was 4-1 as Stefanoaica slipped a pass through to Beckwith, who drilled the ball past Bloohn for his 16th goal of the season.

The Leverstock side had been captained for the day by Paul Marks, who was playing his last game before retiring, and there was an ovation for the legendary Marks as he was replaced by Dan Weeks in the 90th minute. Marks has now won promotion from the Spartan South Midlands League with three different clubs in three different decades, and also won the Challenge Trophy with three different clubs in three different decades.

Weeks and Marks lifted the trophy together as Leverstock collected their second trophy of the week, and they still have a chance to make it a treble when they face Harpenden Town in the St Mary’s Cup Final next Friday.

Alan Lee Reporting

Leverstock Green 1 Harpenden Town 3

Leverstock Green’s bid to turn their promotion and cup double into a treble was thwarted by a comeback from Harpenden Town in the St Mary’s Cup Final on Friday night. Leverstock held a slender lead at the break and played some sparkling football at times, but their inability to take their chances left the door open for Harpenden, who turned the match round very quickly midway through the second half.

Leverstock took the lead in the 16th minute from the penalty spot. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica was brought down in the box by a challenge from Isaiah Hilaire, and Luke Beckwith netted the spot kick.

Harpenden keeper Connor Coulson made the first of several great saves in the 28th minute, keeping out a shot from Rawn Seale after a run at goal, and when Seale got the ball back and squared for Stefanoaica, Coulson got a boot in to clear the chance. Two minutes later Seale showed some nifty footwork before setting up a chance for Stefanoaica, but his shot was across goal and wide. In the 32nd minute Coulson pushed away a rasping shot from Beckwith, and in the 41st minute Rio Beach hit a shot just wide.

Leverstock were well on top early in the second half. In the 52nd minute Coulson tipped a shot from Beckwith over the bar. Three minutes later Ademide Baruwa had a run at goal, but his shot was kept out by Coulson. Baruwa had another run at goal in the 63rd minute but his eventual shot was wide. Coulson pulled off another great save a minute later to tip over a shot from Stefanoaica.

In the 67th minute Leverstock paid the price for not taking their chances when Harpenden broke away, and after a series of passes around the box, Jake Anthony shot home the equaliser.

Two minutes later there could have been a second Harpenden goal on the break, but Leverstock keeper Liam Gauthier pulled off a double save to keep out a shot and an effort on the rebound. However, in the 72nd minute a Harpenden corner wasn’t cleared, and Anthony lashed home a volley to put his side in front.

The decisive moment came in the 86th minute. Leverstock came close to an equaliser when a deflected shot from Ryan Carruthers hit the post, however Harpenden broke straight away, and Anthony slipped the ball past Gauthier to complete his hat-trick and clinch the match. Coulson pulled off more saves during stoppage time to snuff out any hopes Leverstock might have had of a late comeback, and Harpenden went on to lift the St Mary’s Cup, a small measure of revenge for Leverstock’s win against them in the playoff semi-finals.

Leverstock Green (1) 1 (Beckwith 16 pen)

1. Liam Gauthier, 2. Mikey Havill-Tierney (17. Jayden Newman 87 mins), 3. Rio Beach, 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Gary Connolly, 6. Ademide Baruwa, 7. Luke Beckwith, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Rawn Seale, 10. Nat Connolly (12. Ryan Carruthers 74 mins), 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica (14. Lewis Collins 78 mins). Subs not used: 15. George Mitchell-Gears, 16. Callum Neal.

First Team Results 2023

First Team Results & Fixtures

First Team Goal Scorers

Spartan South Midlands Premier

First Team APPEARANCES

Development Team Fixtures and Results

Herts Senior County League

Development Team Goalscorers

Development Team APPEARANCES

Under 18’s Team Fixtures and Results

Southern Counties Floodlight League Corinthian League Table

Table

Under 18’s Team

Goal Scorers

Under 18 APPEARANCES

1954-55

1955-56

1962-63

Leverstock Green FC Honours

Honours

Joined Herts County League Division Two

Herts County League Division Two runner-up

Placed in Division One "B" for transitional season

Normal league programme cancelled, emergency competition run instead

1967 Relegated to Division Two

1973-74

1978-79

Herts County League Division Two runner-up (lost title on goal average)

Promoted to Division One

Herts County League Division One Champions

Promoted to Premier Division

1984 Relegated to Division One

1984-85

1985-86

Herts County League Division One runner-up

Promoted to Premier Division

League renamed Herts Senior County League

1987 Relegated to Division One

1988-89

1990-91

1991-92

1993-94

1995-96

1996-97

1997-98

Herts Senior County League Division One runner-up (list title on goal difference)

Promoted to Premier Division

Herts Senior County League runner-up

Joined South Midlands League

Joined newly formed Senior Division on league re-organisation

South Midlands League Senior Division runner-up

South Midlands League Senior Division Champions

Founder members of Spartan South Midlands League Senior Division

2001 Senior Division renamed Division One

2002-03

Promoted to Premier Division

Hertfordshire Football Association

1991-92

2002-03

2006-07 2010-11

2011-12

1965-66

1973-74

1978-79

1981-82

1984-85 1988-89

1990-91

Herts Charity Shield Runners-up

Herts Centenary Trophy R-up

Herts Intermediate Cup R-up

Herts Charity Shield Winners

Herts Charity Cup R-up

Herts Senior County League

Reserve Division Three R-up

Division Two Runners-up

Division One Champions

Reserve Division Two R-up

Division One Runners-up

Premier Division Runners-up

1991-92

1993-94

1995-96

1996-97

1999-2000

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2008-09

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2015-16

2023-24

2010-11

2014-15

2015-16

Spartan South Midlands League

Reserve Division Two R-up

Senior Cup Runners-up

Senior Division Runners-up

Senior Div Best Playing Surface

1st Equal Best Programme

Senior Division Champions

Senior Div Best Playing Surface

Sportsmanship Cup Winner

Fred Crain Award Winner

Senior Div Best Playing Surface

Res Div 1 Top Sportsmanship Pts

Sportsmanship Cup Winner

Senior Div Best Programme

Reserve Division One R-up

Sportsmanship Cup Winner

Division One Best Playing Surface

Promoted to Premier Division

Reserve Division One R-up

Reserve Division One Champions

Premier Division Cup Runners-up

Reserve Division One Champions

Reserve Division One R-up

Premier Division Cup Runners-up

Fred Crain Award Winner

Sportsmanship Cup Winner

Napier English Electric Sportsmanship Cup Winner

Promotion Play Off Winners

Gladwish Challenge Trophy Winners

Southern

Counties Floodlit Youth League

Delphian Division Runners-up

Corinthian Division Runners-up

Brian Hitchings Cup Runners-up

Colwyn Cup Runners-up

West Herts FA St Mary’s Cup

Winners 2017-18 2022-23

Runners-up 2005-06 2008-09 2010-11 2013-14 2023-24

Rickmansworth Charity Cup

Runners-up 1983-84 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92

Frank Major Trophy

Winners 1990-91 1991-92

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