Dramatic late recovery grabs Colney Heath a point at home to Leverstock Green
Spencer Clarke-Mardel leaps for the ball during Colney Heath's 2-2 draw with Leverstock Green in the SSML Premier Division. Picture: Jim Whittamore - Credit: Archant
A dramatic finish saw Colney Heath come from 2-0 down with five minutes to go at home to Leverstock Green and draw 2-2 – and they could have even snatched the win.
Colney Heath fought back to draw 2-2 with Leverstock Green in the SSML Premier Division. Picture: Jim Whittamore - Credit: Archant
Jonathan Lacey’s brace had given the Hemel Hempstead-based side the advantage at the Recreation Ground and seemingly decided the destination of the three Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division points.
But Spencer Clarke-Mardel started the comeback, slamming the ball into the net after a surging run from Harvey Scott, and the provider then turned goalscorer getting on the end of an Akim Akinbinu knock-down from a Jack Woods cross.
Colney Heath's Harvey Scott. Picture: Jim Whittamore - Credit: Archant
And they almost had a chance for the winner in a moment of controversy late on.
Green’s Tom Silford had gone down injured but his team-mates continued to play on, mounting an attack.
Carl Carr battles for the ball as Colney Heath fought back to draw 2-2 with Leverstock Green in the SSML Premier Division. Picture: Jim Whittamore - Credit: Archant
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And it was only when that attack broke down and the Magpies countered with a numerical advantage that the referee decided to stop play.
The draw was perhaps the fairest result after a game where both sides had their chances.
Colney Heath fought back to draw 2-2 with Leverstock Green in the SSML Premier Division. Picture: Jim Whittamore - Credit: Archant
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Goalkeepers Charlie May and Arvyydas Kacinkevicius both made saves early on and Callum Dudrenec also had to make a fine tackle to deny Lacey.
But the Leverstock man got the upper hand on 24 minutes with the opening goal.
Harvey Scott in action during Colney Heath's 2-2 draw with Leverstock Green in the SSML Premier Division. Picture: Jim Whittamore - Credit: Archant
Luke Breedy won the ball in midfield and sprinted off down the left. His cross found Chris Blunden clear in the box until Dudrenec came in with another superb tackle.
However, the ball ran loose to Lacey and he fired it into the top left corner.
Colney Heath fought back to draw 2-2 with Leverstock Green in the SSML Premier Division. Picture: Jim Whittamore - Credit: Archant
Alex Condon almost made it two with a header that rebounded off the post but the second finally came in the 64th minute from the penalty spot after Charlie Hunter brought down Silford.
Lacey did the rest despite May getting his hand to it.
Greg Shaw and Sam Doolan had put headers wide before that goal but the Mags increased the tempo after it went in.
Kacinkevicius denied Hunter, Danny Fitzgerald and Clarke-Mardel but could do nothing about the late drama.
The result puts Colney Heath into ninth in the fledgling SSML table.
Next up for the Magpies is a home game on Saturday against Southern League Cinderford Town in the FA Cup.
