Tanners 3 - 0 Croydon Athletic

The play-offs elude the Tanners this season despite a fine win over our visitors today.

Sargent eased our nerves early on by lobbing the 'keeper from a freekick a full 30 yards out. Tanners were controlling the game well with Croydon left with only scraps and a small period of pressure. Leatherhead could have had a numerical advantage on the pitch as the Ram's keeper handled the ball outside the box but the referee saw fit to issue a yellow card and pull back the wall 8 yards. 1-0 ended the first half and news filtered round that both Met Police and Bromley were enjoying the same one goal advantage.

Second half and the Tanners were looking favourites to win this game and were all over The Rams. It took 35 minutes for the second goal to come. Beero made some room for himself on the edge of the box and powered the ball past the keeper . Wes rounded things off by rounding the keeper and slotting the ball into the unguarded net.

No play-offs but the team got a warm and rousing cheer as they left the pitch as it was one hell of a season...

Radio Silence...

I was trying to get a mobile contact over at the Met Police game through my opposite number from Fleet. However, he isn't going to the game and tells me that the few Fleet fans that are don't know how to work a mobile! So we are left with the awkward wait while we phone round the grounds...

Croydon Athletic, End Of Season Party and Play-Offs (we hope) Are Coming

Saturday looks like it is going to be a nail biter. We must win and sweat out on two results elsewhere, but it is important we focus on the former and let the latter sit in the lap of the gods. Then what ever the outcome the players and fans can reflect on a great season during the end of season party... and don't forget there is Macca's Jim impression to look forward too...

Poll Result

Leatherhead fans wanted Newport (IOW) to stay up and recent results look like they may just do that. As this was one of my most memorable away trips with Leatherhead I think it is why we voted that way. We also took pity on our Mole Valley rivals, but alas it looks like Ashfords turn of fortune may condemn Dorking this season.

This weeks poll looks at a new phenomenon to hit the Tanners, novelty songs! Which one is your favourite?

Hastings 0 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead keep things interesting with a win on the road. The first half was all Leatherhead, with Dave Stevens performing an acrobatic scissor kick volley early on and a string of chances that defied the laws of physics to stay out.

Then the breakthrough, MCS chased a long ball and headed past the out coming 'keeper. This signaled wild celebrations and 20 minutes of Hey Jude.

The second half started with the Tanners again dominating but the confidence soon began to ebb, which wasn't helped by Tommy Moorhouse needing to be subbed off. It was now Hastings pressing for an equaliser and the Travelling Tanners were beginning to think they had seen this before.

Last week the arrival of Panter didn't work in our favour, but this week his tricks were put to use where it counts. Up front as he was put on for an injured Stevens. This frustrated Hastings and the game soon turned nasty with a few rash tackles going in. Their No 7 was lucky to remain on the pitch after a wild kick and pushing the linesman.

Leatherhead held out and with Met Police drawing it now goes to the last game of the season...

Travelling Tanners

This Saturday Leatherhead make the long journey to Hastings for the last away game of the 2004/5 season. Things are looking up as Hastings have halved their prices for us. Ugly scenes are expected as those out to join in with Barry Barnes Day will be in their finest shorts... I just hope it doesn't put you off your lunch!

Directions & Map

From A21 turn left at the 1st mini-roundabout into St. Helens Road. After 1 mile turn left into St. Helens Park Road, this leads into Downs Road. At the T junction at the end of Downs Road turn left, and the ground is 200 yds on right.

Pub Guide

After much research the best I can up with is the Robert de Mortain and I hope to see you there for lunch to make a day of it!

Dates For Your Diary

Leatherhead will be holding their AGM in the club house on Tuesday, 19 July at 7.30pm and all members are welcome to air their views and hear what the committee see as the future of the club.

The first work party will take place early this year on 14 May. More details to follow...

Barry Barnes Day!

I have become used to a tradition of making the last away day a fancy dress themed day and hope to bring that tradition to (well away from actually) The Grove.

I am therefore declaring Saturday's trip to Hastings "Barry Barnes Day!" and all you need to take part is a pair of black shorts.

I will be posting a weather report nearer the time to confirm the weather is suitable for such an event, I can't forecast as to the suitability of all the legs on show though...

Tanners 1 - 3 Corinthians Casuals

Corinthian Casuals started the game the more eager to perform today and got their just rewards with a goal on 11 minutes and had one ruled out for off side two minutes earlier. Leatherhead had no rhythm in their passing but did work hard and thought they had got an equaliser only for the ref to wave it away for a foul on the 'keeper.

The second half was a different story. Leatherhead were moving the ball well in the style that attracted 241 visitors to the Grove. It was no surprise that the Tanners got the breakthrough with Dante pouncing on a perfect cross from Sargent.

It looked like Tanners would go on to get all three points but for a well controlled header from Mark Simmons from outside the box that caught Tommy off his line. Mark Simmons was the architect of another classy goal when he controlled the ball outside the box and lobbed poor Tommy with a clever chip.

Play-off chances are slim with results going against us, but it makes the remaining games even more important. Hastings is now a must to create a winning atmosphere for all us Travelling Tanners!

Corinthian Casuals Are Coming

Tomorrow we face our old friends from Tolworth as we host Corinthian Casuals. They have had a rough time of it recently, are in terrible form and have slipped down the table. That is exactly the kind of opposition we find difficult to beat recently so only a fired up performance will do tomorrow.

Kick-off at 3pm. See you there!

100,000 Hits!

The Lip has reached another milestone and racked up over 100,000 hits today, even dispite the "frog advert" on the forum! It is probably fair to say that 10% of these are probably me but it is still a high hit rate for a club this size.

Next stop... one million!

Collectors Corner

Found an interesting item on eBay. "Are we Mexico in disguise?" should be our new song with the description of this subuteo set. Cheap at 99p too!

Poll Result

The Travelling Tanners plan to get to Hastings by car for this crucial match. An alarming number said they would stay at home but close behind were those fun loving coach travellers who want to make a full day of it.

This weeks poll looks a bit further down the table and who do we want to survive the drop. Sadly Croydon are too far gone to include in this poll...

A Challenge Before Us

We have been challenged... Here is an email that awaited me while checking out the official site;

"I am challenging your team to a charity 10k Fun Run in Dorking on 1st May, 2005. It is set within the stunning Denbies Wine Estate and is a great course. I am also challenging Dorking F.C., Horsham F.C. and Banstead Athletic - if you all enter teams the fastest will win the acclaim and a prize!"

If you are keen email me at mattleross@hotmail.com with Fun Run as the title and I will see if we have enough interest to create a team.

NLP Awards

You can vote HERE for this years NLP awards. ou can vote for the Ryman player of the season here so get in and make your choice.

As AFC Wimbledon are probably going to flood the voting there are other categories to do with the club. How about our Dicki, Leatherhead's second loudest fan, for Fan Of The Year due to his appearance at most of the games then back to keep the bar open for functions. Or why not Popeye for Unsung Hero Award, due to his tireless work sorting out my grammatical errors in the programme?

There are prizes to be won so get voting!

The Final Countdown

Yesterday's results means we are in the top 6 again but with still a lot to do. Providing the Tanners can win their remaining games, we are guaranteed at least 6th place (thanks to Dominic for putting me right on that)! Here are the remaining fixtures of all those in contention...

Horsham
12-Apr Corinthian-Casuals away
16-Apr Walton & Hersham home
23-Apr Fleet Town away
30-Apr Ashford Town home

Cray
16-Apr Hastings United home
23-Apr AFC Wimbledon away
30-Apr Walton & Hersham home

Tanners!
16-Apr Corinthian-Casuals home
23-Apr Hastings United away
30-Apr Croydon Athletic home

OB
16-Apr Dorking home
19-Apr Bromley away
23-Apr Ashford Town away
30-Apr Fleet Town home

Tooting
16-Apr AFC Wimbledon home
23-Apr Dorking away
30-Apr Bashley home

Burgess Hill
16-Apr Molesey home
23-Apr Croydon Athletic home
30-Apr AFC Wimbledon away

Bromley
16-Apr Fleet Town away
19-Apr Metropolitan Police Home
23-Apr Dulwich Hamlet Home
30-Apr Banstead Athletic away

Croydon 1 - 3 Tanners

The Trams bid to avoid the drop was derailed today's as Tanners took all three points. It did not get off to the best of starts though when on 18 minutes Macca was caught one on one with a player and an arkwardly bouncing ball and was judged to have handballed just outside the box. Croydon worked a good freekick and took the lead.

Leatherhead weren't to be outdone from set pieces with the impressive Sargent curling one in straight from the corner flag.

The second half started brightly, too brightly for many of the Travelling Tanners who were still in the bar for a well taken MCS goal... me included!

Leatherhead rode their luck as Croydon piled on the pressure but for a change we got a break when Sargent goal bound shot struck the hand of a Croydon defender in the box. Stevens slotted the penalty away and then we could relax.

High point of the game was the substitution of Croydon's 12, a player who was only on the pitch 10 minutes and decided to give himself his own standing ovation.

Poll Result

The No Ways just have it for wearing the NLP's green wristband but the people who were prepared to pay were only a couple of votes behind. Surprisingly the people who would wear it but wouldn't pay game last with only 6 votes. I know who one of those would be so who were the other 5?

This weeks poll looks at the much awaited trip to Hastings and how you are getting there...

Hastings Coach

The club will be running a coach to the seaside destination of Hastings for the last away game of the season!

The coach will cost £7 for adults and £3.50 for concessions and will leave Fetcham Grove at 11.15am. Should be a great atmosphere and day out for all.

If you are interested, places can only be reserved by payment to Dicki either at the Croydon or Corinthian Casuals game. There are only 32 seats available so get in quick!

Fraud Warning

If you took money out of the HSBC or any other cash point in Dorking yesterday, check you balance. My card has been cloned and three cash withdrawals made in St Albans throughout the night. It may have been cloned somewhere else but that was the most recent transaction.

Hopefully it is just a one off!

Leatherhead Rejects 0 - 2 Tanners

Dorking were slow, ineffective and delivered slow service today... but enough about their bar on the pitch they were slow, ineffective and delivered slow service.

A late kick off allowed the Tanners faithful to enjoy the sun while in anticipation of the game. The game rarely delivered and the Tanners were restricted to three real chances which they took two of them either side of the half. Dave Stevens struck near post dribbled in and Marc Charles-Smith held off a defender to slot home.

Dorking were keen to restrict our chances and played ex-Tanner 'keeper Vaughn as a man-marker to Dave Stevens. This was reasonably effective but lacked the class to really shackle our man so soon resorted to fouling... as did their no. 5 or 14 who decided an elbow was better than a tackle in all areas of the pitch!

Nick this match report for your programme Dorking!!!

Travelling Tanners

Tomorrow we face local rivals, Dorking, in what will be a must win game for both teams. They nicked the Advertiser Trophey from us, they nicked two points off us and they even nick about 12 inches of local press space from us! Tomorrow is our chance for revenge...

Directions

You know where it is!

Pub Guide

Head for Dorking West station and you will find a nice little pub called the Green Man. They do great lunches and is quite close to the ground. See you there!