Two wins from their last three games has given Leverstock Green a timely boost going into the final month of the season.
The Hertfordshire outfit, who moved up into Step 4 for the first time ahead of the current campaign with promotion into the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central, followed up their 4-1 victory at Enfield with a commanding 3-0 triumph over neighbours, Kings Langley, at the weekend.
Although they suffered a narrow 1-0 home reverse at the hands of play-off chasing Hadley in between, the performance levels in these three games over the past week have given plenty of cause for optimism as they look to escape the three relegation places, of which they currently sit third from bottom, two points adrift of Kidlington having played a game less.
“Saturday’s win was massive for us,” admitted skipper, Dan Weeks. “It was our first home League win since the middle of October and backed up the tremendous victory that we secured at Enfield seven days previously.
“We’re gradually getting our full squad back together for the run-in and suddenly things are feeling very hopeful.
“We know what we are capable of when we have everyone available and Saturday was probably our most complete team performance of the year. It was a fully deserved three points from a game where we were on top for the vast majority.
“There are seven Cup Finals left to keep ourselves in this division now; there’s still a lot of football to be played and I’m sure that things will go down to the wire at both ends of the table, but we’ve given ourselves a fighting chance of achieving our objective.
“The frustrating thing is that we’ve been in so many games throughout the season but, for various reasons, have not been able to see them out in terms of getting points on the board. It’s something that we have worked hard to rectify and we’re starting to see the benefits of that now.”
Weighing in with two of the three goals at the weekend was popular front-runner, Rawn Seale.
“Our confidence has been given a big boost following Saturday’s win,” Seale told us. “As Dan said, it was a huge win and much-needed on home soil.
“We started the game fast and took our chances early on, something that we haven’t always been able to do this season.
“It gave us a platform and in the end it was a pretty comfortable victory. Personally I don’t think it was my best performance but two quality deliveries meant that I was able to score twice in the opening 25 minutes or so.
“We haven’t been able to build any real momentum this season, but having taken six points out of the last three games, it’s encouraging and everyone is feeling really positive about our chances.
“This time last year we had a really strong finish to the season as we chased promotion and those that were involved then are hoping that we can do something similar this time around. To maintain our place at this level will be as much as an achievement as promotion was last season.
“Going into this season, we knew it would be tough. Adapting to this level has been a challenge; we’ve had to battle for everything and haven’t had that bit of luck that every team needs from time-to-time.
“A bit of good fortune to turn a few of our 12 draws into a win or to snatch a point from a narrow defeat could have made a big difference, but that’s football and we just have to get on with it and keep believing.
“Maybe the final month will see things go in our favour? Here’s hoping…”
After heading to Flackwell Heath on Saturday, Leverstock Green then face three big home games in a row, including visits from Northwood and North Leigh, the two teams that currently sit below them.
IMAGE: Leverstock Green FC
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