Eames and Williams give new Colney Heath boss Gary Phillips a winning start
Williams nets first goal in two years to defeat Leverstock Green
SSML Premier Division
Colney Heath 2 Leverstock Green 1
A FIRST goal in two years from substitute Jason Williams handed new Colney Heath manager Gary Phillips a win at the first time of asking following his appointment last Thursday.
Williams came off the bench to net the winner with an acrobatic effort 17 minutes from time to condemn second-placed Leverstock Green to a surprise defeat.
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The Magpies won 3-1 at Aylesbury last Wednesday courtesy of an Ian Cooper hat-trick and named the same XI for the visit of Leverstock on Saturday.
The home side started the contest the brighter and went close through Cooper before Jamie Eames struck a post from a free kick.
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The midfielder was to enjoy better fortune shortly after though as he gave Phillips’ side a 34th minute lead with a shot that went in off the woodwork.
The visitors looked like they were to restore parity just six minutes later when Steve Barker was penalised for handball but Leverstock captain, Lee Bircham, saw his penalty kick come back off the post.
The visitors did manage to draw level before the break though, Louis Austin latching on to Craig Preston’s long ball and lobbing over Magpies’ ‘keeper Billy Barnes.
There was still time left in the first half for Dan Griggs to rattle the crossbar but the two sides went into the interval level.
Phillips bought Williams on for Ricky Perks 10 minutes after the restart and he was in the right place at the right time to volley home Ross Gilbert’s cross in the 73rd minute.
Tom Dickie and Cooper both passed up chances to extend Heath’s lead late on but the Magpies held out to record their fourth win in their last five outings.
The Magpies travel to neighbours London Colney in the Challenge Trophy Second Round.
Heath: Barnes; Gilbert, Corran, Draper, Barker; Dickie, Eames, Coombs, Perks (Williams 55), I Cooper, Staples.
Subs not used: Renphrey, Taylor, Costain, B Awad.
