Game off...

 

While yesterday's mild weather gave me some hope that the game might be played a cold night with more harsh conditions to come (-4c by 6pm they say) has meant tonight's game is an early casualty.

 

The pitch still covered in snow in places and where it has melted, because the ground is frozen, it has turned into a lake.

 

FA Cup replays on the telly it is then...

Football free day

Carshalton are either to blame for this weekend or have spared us a ruddy freezing day out tomorrow.  Their FA Trophy game away at Newport County means we do not play.

Fear not.  Here are just some of the other fixtures around...

Horsham v Aveley
Kingstonian v Margate
Walton & Hersham v Hythe Town
Croygas Phoenix v Ashtead

It will be a two socker where ever you go though!

Tanners 2 - 0 Margate

Margate came to the Grove without their Football League talisman and
were found wanting at The Grove on a cold night.

It took a while for Leatherhead to test their keeper but the first
half ended honours even.

Tommy got our first goal early in the second half. A lovely ball out
to Kev who cut it back into the path of Tommy. 1-0.

Margate responded but were caught by Manners who finished off a
flowing Tanners move.

A fine win to help bannish the memories of Saturday and a slightly
less precarious looking league table...

Margate are coming?

 

Its set to be freezing all day so today's game MAY be in doubt.  I am travelling to Basel (where it is even colder!) so wont be able to update this page until I get to my hotel at 5-ish so keep an eye out on the message board for updates.

 

If the game is on, Margates form is hot enough to melt any ice on the pitch.  Five wins over the last six games?  Lucky blighters.

 

Kick off at 7.45...

Tanners 0 - 5 Bury Town

It is difficult for me to sum up exactly what went wrong here as I do not have a clue about these things but I THINK today was a bit of a ruddy disaster.  Our healthy goal difference gone and another slap in the face following last weeks wretched display.

Some positives though.  Namely the opening 20 minutes where the hoof was replaced with some crisp passing and with two new recruits thrown in the mix it is refreshing to say one of them had a good game.  Dolby out on the left put in a first half reminiscent of Glen Boosey away at the Met with his tricks and turns.

While it was entertaining it was largely unproductive.  The Bury 'keeper's missus would have been delighted to see his kit remain spotless until the 70 minute.

Bury then stunned us with two quick goals.  They were given some room to shoot and took the opportunity.  Chico parried well given the power in the shot but it fell to a Bury striker who finished clinically.  A minute later the Smith was put through on goal and again finished well.  Deflated, we went in for half time.

What we needed in the second half was a steady ship.  Build from the back and score some goals.  I mean.  Its not rocket science.  Within two minutes of the restart we were caught short at the back and they were clear on goal.  Our covering player tried to stop the danger and in doing so leaned (ever so slightly) on the advancing striker and down he went.  The ref could not wait to give the penalty doing that running, blowing the whistle and pointing thing they love.  Luckily for us the spot kick was ballooned into the Bernard Edwards stand.

Charitable but not as charitable as Chico 10 minutes later.  A slow ball bounced in the area towards goal and Chico seemed mesmerised by it.  He put his hands out at his sides as if he was going to let it go wide but as with our cricketers that was a mistake.  It turned in the rough and clipped the far stump and trickled in.  How's that!?  Ruddy shambolic.  I looked behind the goal to see my son blissfully happy playing football.  He hadn't seen a minute of this.  The ignorance of youth eh..?

Then heads dropped and Tommy (our only credible goal threat) was withdrawn for safe keeping.  The changes did bring on fresh drive which brought about some shooting that gave our side netting one hell of a beating but nothing on target.

Meanwhile Bury Town scored an absolute scorcher from outside the box and then a tap in for their hattrick hero Smith.  Sandwiched in there was a Bury goal disallowed for offside.  The player who "scored" was then got booked for playing on but our view was the whistle only went after the ball was in the back of the net so unless he said something it was a tad harsh.

So, the most in form Margate come Tuesday and then we can really start looking forward to next Saturday which could prove to be the most entertaining weekend from here to the end of the season!

Bury Town are coming

 

Typical sensational weather headlines of "Britain set to freeze" may put tomorrow in doubt, although on closer inspection it may only apply to Scotland.  As usual.

 

Bury make the long trip tomorrow with the hope of making a double over us.  They beat us at their place although we were helped along the way with a penalty.  I can't really say that I've seen them not given as it was actually almost impossible to see what the incident was.  Cuddling in the area I think.

 

After a disappointing trip away last week hopefully we can up our game in front of a home crowd.

 

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Winsgate & Finchley 1 - 0 Tanners

A sleepy looking Leatherhead took to the blustery field of play and were caught napping early on.  The defence left Chico completely exposed and the grateful striker headed powerfully home in the opening few minutes to score the winning goal.

Leatherhead now have a habit of when things do not go their way they play a tiresome hoof and hold game that does little to create chances especially in these conditions.

Tommy had our only real shot on goal.  Tommy beat their keeper to a ball but the shot stopper spread himself well to smother the chance.

The the home side commenting their form resembled a stranded ocean liner this may be considered the one that got away come the end of the season.

Bury Town next...