Chesham United Reserves 1-2 Leverstock Green
Substitute Lewis Pritchard was the hero for Levy Green as they booked their place in the semi-finals of the MSSML Challenge Trophy with a late win over Chesham United Reserves.
Pritchard pounced in the 85th minute to earn his side the victory after Chesham’s Toby Akin had cancelled out Paul Insley’s opener.
In an entertaining and free-flowing cup tie, the first chance of the game fell to Levy and they capitalised to devastating effect.
A neat move involving Ioan Vranceanu, Dan Griggs and Insley led to a corner which was cleared to the edge of the penalty, where the latter was waiting to drill the ball home.
Vranceanu came close to doubling the lead shortly afterwards, but his shot cannoned back off the crossbar.
Levy keeper Carl Tasker was forced into a good save as Chesham looked for an equaliser, but the Green resistance was broken in the 21st minute.
The hosts launched a quick break down the right, and when the Levy defenders appealed in vain for offside, Akin took advantage to level the scores.
Green responded well, though, and came close through Junior Owusu-Akonor and Vranceanu, while Tom Bambury hit the crossbar at the other end as a pulsating half came to an end.
The second half was a stark contrast from the first, with few chances at either end as Green intentionally slowed the pace of the game down.
A defining moment came after 65 minutes, however, as Levy boss Steve Heath introduced Pritchard from the bench in place of Vranceanu.
The scores were still tied with ten minutes to go, but Green started to show a few threatening signs as extra-time loomed.
Adam Hallissey’s cross was whiskers away from being turned in by Seldyn Grant, before Pritchard struck the knock-out blow.
Hallissey found Pritchard with a neat pass, and the Levy sub slotted home with aplomb to seal his side’s progression to the last four.
Next up for Heath’s side is a home match with AFC Dunstable at Pancake Lane tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 3pm.