England Expects

Due to the England game, those nice people at Tolworth have showed the Corinthian spirit and agreed to an early kick-off so we can get back and see the game. Kick-off has now been rescheduled for 12.30.

On that note I can give you an early warning that the home game against Whyteleafe (8 October) is also an early kick-off with the game starting at 2pm. Hope to see you in the Tanners lounge where we will be showing the game.

Tanners 3 - 2 Ash United

The noise was shackled but not Dave Stevens who fired Tanners through to the next round in the last minute of stoppage time. Dave Stevens scored earlier to open the Tanners scoring before Tommy Moorhouse added his first goal of the season to the party.

Well played Ash who took us all the way! Next stop Chatham!

Ash United Are Coming

Ash United (less one boring supporter I hope) are coming for the all important FA Cup replay tonight. Ash forced the replay after scoring in the second half and nearly won it but for an acrobatic save from Tommy Dunn.

Kick off is at 7.45 so get down to the Grove and cheers us on to Chatham!

Chatham Calling

Another trip to Kent is the reward up for grabs Tuesday night as Chatham beat North Leigh 2-0 yesterday.

The tie will take place on 10 September and no doubt coach information will be posted here as soon as possible, providing we make it past our Surrey rivals.

Ash United 1 - 1 Tanners

A largely disappointing way to start the FA Cup trail both by players and supporters. For the supporters the life was sucked out the game by the inane noise of Mr Ash and an early policy to chase a long lofted ball.

Leatherhead did fashion some good chances in the first half, mainly through short crisp passing down the right and side and looked to get their reward when a cross was met by Dave Stevens and a high defending boot so an indirect freekick was given. The resulting kick was well parried down but only as far as the pouncing Wes, but he blasted well wide.

The second half lacked any kind of overall drive, especially after the Tanners took the lead. Ash failed to deal with a corner and the constant thorn in the Ash defense was at hand to poke home from close range.

Ash rarely threatened but on one break shortly after they headed home from a long sweeping cross from the right.

Tanners did mount some pressure in the dying minutes, with Julian Thompson coming the closest after using his strength to get within a few yards of a clear shot at goal, again it was pulled wide. Tommy Dunn pulled off a miraculous save as Ash had their own last gasp chance.

Back to the Grove it is then Tuesday at 7.45pm. Monday is now off so Croydon Athletic and Popeye's programme will have to wait.

Travelling Tanners – FA Cup Special

Saturday the satchel, which is keeping a low profile this year so far, travels to Ash United to avenge a cup defeat of several years ago. For them a match they still refer to even when they are losing a friendly.

I see this as a nervy opening game to our campaign and a win is not guaranteed with this banana skin. Make sure you get there then and cheer on the Tanners!

Pub Guide

This is crucial that we meet before the game as the meet up prior to Sandhurst was great! The pub to meet is the Greyhound Pub which is on the roundabout you turn left in off the A323.

Directions & MAP

Only directions I could find! From A323 (Aldershot - Guildford road) turn into Shawfield Road at Greyhound roundabout.

The Bash(!) 0 - 1 Tanners

Being a Leatherhead supporter isn't always easy or often pretty (just look at Dicky!) and tonight was one of those nights as almost a carbon copy of the Kingstonian game unfolded.

This wasn't helped by a ref who seemed more occupied with booking players for muttering under their breath than for a serious challenge on Dante that could have quite easily have broken his jaw with a flying elbow.

Chances were limited to both sides but Leatherhead seemed to lack any invention. The first half was very poor as very few chances were made. I was challenged to find something positive about the game... all I could say was this time last year we were two goals down.

The second half saw new life into the Tanners and we started to look more dangerous. Wes came on and was even winning headers! Despite all of the renewed effort it still didn't look like anyone would score until the dying seconds when the Tanners were awarded a corner. Sargent swang it in and a mad scramble followed and the shotputter of a 'keeper could not prevent it from crossing the line. The players celebrated madly, albeit in the wrong direction as we were on the other side.

A win is a win and we will take the three points. Just reward for Sargent in particular who may have had the longest journey of three hours prior to playing.

Bashers Bashley bashed!!

Bashley 0 Tanners 1

A last minute goal by (we think) Henders saw the Tanner's grab all three points in a physical encounter in the New Forest (reports MLR via mobile to me).

So it's the first victory chaolked up - a detailed report to follow from MLR later on....

Popeye

Travelling Tanners

This Tuesday we make the first of three mammoth away trips. Last year we had to make this trip on August Bank Holiday so Tuesday should be a breeze! Saturday we did everything apart from score, so hopefully we can build on that and take our first three points of the season. See you there!

Directions and MAP

Take the A35 at Lyndhurst towards Christchurch, turn left down the B3058 towards New Milton. The ground is on the left-hand side in Bashley village. 20 minutes walk from New Milton station.

Pub Guide

I am going to recommend The Rising Sun which is on Bashley Common Road near the village. I hope to make it there in time for something to eat so if you're in the area around 6.30 (!) then pop in. If you know of any other pubs in the area then let me know!

Ash, Ash United, Ash United, Ash, Ash...

Ash United won over their south coast challengers and now will host us in next Saturdays FA Cup meeting. No doubt they will want to repeat the Surrey Senior Cup meeting of a few years ago so we cannot take this game for granted.

I would like to recommend a pub for us all to meet. I know of one nearby but I seem to remember some people knew of a better one when we played them in a friendly last season. Could you email me your suggestions to me so we can all be in the same place in the build up to the game...

Tanners 0 - 0 Kingstonian

An eventful meeting between the two local rivals failed to produce any goals but did not fail to entertain. Kingstonian can boast to have held much of the possession for periods of the game but the one thing they lacked was a dangerous player up front. Their number 9 was notably wasteful.

MCS continues to impress with plenty of tricks while Dave Stevens showed plenty of commitment and power that will be rewarded with goals this season for sure. His commitment almost saw him see red when he went in hard on 10 minutes but was only shown a yellow.

Kingstonian only possessed one player worthy of mention. Their number 11 caused us plenty of problems so it was ironic when he missed their best chance by blasting over just a few yards out in the second half. MCS missed an open goal when he latched on to a through ball, skipped the hapless Martini and side footed towards goal but it lacked the power to beat the back tracking defense.

In the dying minutes Dave Stevens flicked the ball over a defenders head, the player reacted by raising his hand and swatting the attempt away but neither ref nor the linesman had the courage to give the penalty.

No goals but with Kingstonian lacking any obvious fire power the signs are more encouraging for the greens.

Continues to impress!

Eastbourne Bound...

Saturday Leatherhead will know whether they will be travelling to Eastbourne or Ash for the FA Cup. If the favourites, Eastbourne, win then Leatherhead will be running a coach to the game and will be taking bookings straight after the Kingstonian game.

The prices are to be confirmed but there will be a discount for members! Listen out for the announcement straight after the game to know our fate...

Team News

Here is some team news that came to me yesterday!

Wes and Harps will be flying home in the small hours of the morning from holiday, so will be on the bench and not able to start.

Dean Carpenter is on holiday so is not available.

Dante has tickets for the V Festival in Chelmsford, but is showing true commitment to the club by being available for the game and then head straight to the event.

Poll Result

OK OK I can take a hint. The thought of me podcasting has turned 50% of the stomachs since the poll began with 25% keen only for the games they couldn't make. The other 25% who want it for every game were either mad or didn't read the question probably! I will still explore this and other types of broadcasting technology so that we can be kept up to date no matter where we are. Moblogging is the latest thing and I will look into the costs of that soon...

This weeks poll, obviously, looks at how we feel about the season to come on the back of our preseason and players that have left and joined...

Tanners 2 - 0 Hampton & Richmond

When I saw the list of friendlies I thought they were a mistake. To finish on Sutton and Hampton & Richmond would leave the midfield and strikers over stretched and low on confidence as they would struggle against higher opposition for 180 minutes. I am happy to say I have been proved wrong with yet another display which sees the Tanners win their last 4 games.

Yet again Dave Stevens and MCS find the back of the net while the defense kept things organised at the back. If we can carry this into the league then we are definitely a prospect for next season.

Bring on the K's!

Hampton & Richmond Are Coming

Tomorrow the Tanners welcome old league foes Hampton & Richmond to the Grove in their last friendly before the start of the season.

Since the Bracknell game, Leatherhead have been on fire seeing off Chipstead, Dorking and Sutton with plenty of goals to spare. Tomorrow is therefore crucial that momentum is maintained for our opening clash against Kingstonian.

Kick-off at 3... see you there!

Surrey Senior Cup Draw

Here is the second round draw for the Surrey Senior cup to be played on the week beginning 13/12/2005. First round draws can be seen on the Surrey FA site soon...

Guildford United F.C. v Molesey F.C.
Tooting & Mitcham United F.C. v Winner of Match 3
Ashford Town (Middx) F.C. v Epsom & Ewell F.C.
Whyteleafe F.C. v Raynes Park Vale F.C.
Banstead Athletic F.C v Horley Town F.C.
A.F.C. Wimbledon v Winner of Match 7
Westfield F.C. v Corinthian Casuals F.C.
Winner of Match 1 v Crystal Palace F.C.
Farnham Town F.C. v Egham Town F.C.
Godalming Town F.C. v Walton & Hersham F.C.
Winner of Match 4 v Kingstonian F.C.
Woking F.C. v Winner of Match 2
Winner of Match 6 v Metropolitan Police F.C.
Carshalton Athletic F.C. v Walton Casuals F.C.
Leatherhead F.C. v Dulwich Hamlet F.C.
Sutton United F.C. v Winner of Match 5
13/12/2005

Tanners 3 - 1 Sutton

Another classy performance from the Tanners sees off the higher placed visitors. Dave Stevens did most of the damage in the first half, latching on to two poor passes from the vitiors to cooly take both chances.

Marc Charles-Smith finished the Leatherhead scoring with only Sutton able to reply in the form of a penalty late late in the second half.

Sutton Are Coming

Tanners face a tricky Sutton side Saturday in our penultimate friendly of the season. While Chipstead proved to be easy pickings, especially in the first half, the team will have to take this run of form and new found match fitness into a tougher game to truly test themselves.

This may be the last chance for trialists to impress the management team as they may send out their finished squad against Hampton & Richmond next week so expect to see plenty of effort!

Kick off at 3pm... see you there!

Bashley Coach Update

The players have changed their plans and wont be going by coach. Therefore we can get a 16 seater and leave a bit later, probably around 4pm-5pm from the ground and leave Bashley 9.45ish.

It would cost about £15 each seat and we need bookings paid in advance so if you are interested you can email to reserve your place and pay at the Sutton game.

Tanners 4 - 0 Chipstead

A complete performance by the Tanners saw them run out 4-0 winners at the Grove. An early goal from Harper from a Sargent corner settled the nerves. Henders copied Marks example and headed home soon after. Panter completed the first half damage by striking his shot through a crowded box to find the corner of the net.

The second half appeared to be a more relaxed affair as the Tanners held the visitors at bay until Mark Harper completed his brace.

Again a competitive affair as at one point Dante felt a full tackle and Moorhouse saw his shirt ripped as he was pulled down in the box. To our surprise no penalty given...

Chipstead Are Coming

Leatherhead's fourth friendly kicks off tonight as we welcome Chipstead to The Grove. I don't recall the two sides meeting in recent times and the only connection with Leatherhead was that they hosted a Youth Final there which we lost...

I am not 100% sure of the kick-off time... probably 7.45 but always best to assume 7.30 to avoid disappointment.

What They're Saying

Dorking appear quite happy with the first half display they put out. When asked whether they were happy why the management team would change it to allow us to give them a thrashing Lunn himself replied...

"Firstly I would like let everyone know that we was missing 9 first team players due to injury holidays etc : i thought the first half was very promising but as soon as we was forced into making changes in the second half we showed our lack of quality from the bench , given the fact that we were missing so many key players Kev Burgess Steve Coyle Tommy Ellis Dean Milton Kieron Philpot etc it was no wonder we were outplayed second half , what i would say to anyone wishing to critisise my decisions on saturday is You Give Us The Bigger Budget Other clubs have and yes we should be very upset by the result but we have not got that luxury so get behind us now."