Spring Spartan South Midlands Action - St Margaretsbury vs. Leverstock Green

Dusk sky over the recreation ground.

Being on Jury Service has meant that I can get up a bit later then I would do for work and this allows me travel a bit further then I normally would for a midweek game. To take advantage of this I headed to St Margarets for their rearranged game against Leverstock Green - Although I didn't realise that it was rearranged until I saw the date on the programme. Both teams were on a winning streak and Leverstock Green have had a brilliant season being high up in the league and having an excellent run in the FA Vase.  

Kick off in the fading light at The Recreation Ground.

The pitch is incredibly dry and dusty and I half expect to see a stampede of cattle whenever the players chase the ball. Most of the first half is a non event and the closest we come to an attempt on goal is when the Leverstock striker knocks the ball over the defender's head but fails to hit the target. The game finally gets going with ten minutes to go to half time. First of all, The Bury winger skins the full back with a brilliant turn and the keeper makes an equally good save to tip the ball over the bar. Leverstock force the home in to his first save following a break from the resulting corner.

First half action from the stand.

The second half is very end to end with both teams coming out and attacking. It is the home who take the lead when the striker latches on to a ball over the top and chips the ball first time over the advancing keeper. The visitors are becoming increasingly frustrated and the game turns slightly in their favour mid way through the half. The Leverstock striker breaks through and is brought down by the last defender who is promptly shown a red card. The visitors feel the referee should have played on as the ball fell to another player in space. Leverstock take advantage of being a man up and equalise with five minutes to go and the points are shared. 

First half action looking towards the other end of the ground.

St Margarets is a pleasant small town with a canal and a high street with plenty of independent shops. Before the game I went to The Jolly Fisherman which had benches on the canal and had a selection of ales. The ground is a five minute walk from the station. Trains depart from Liverpool Street every hour and the journey takes about fifty minutes. The clubhouse didn't open until half an hour before kick off and I'm not sure if this is the case on a Saturday. The clubhouse is friendly and has Sky Sports. I was told before the game that the tea bar serves the best sausages in the league but I didn't actually try them.

First half action with the stand in the background.