One Month And Counting

The countdown to the end of the season starts here with only a month to go. Therefore there are some important things to consider...

Firstly, I will need your nominations for "The Lip" player of the season. I am not sure whether this will be the fans vote or an additional award...

Also, could I have your suggestions the theme for this years last away game fancy dress. Last year it was Barry Barnes day in shorts. This will also be put to the vote, but a vote I am likely to rig but all suggestions are welcome!

Email them to me making sure you use a adequate title so they don't get lost in adverts for herbal remedies.

Poll Result

Shame on you! Well actually I'd do the same. Twice as many of us would name one of the new stands after themselves rather than anything else. Tickets are selling well so if you want your chance to name one of the redeveloped stands then pop into the bar this Saturday.

As for this weeks poll, was it a goal at Dover? Did the ref bottle a penalty decision? If you weren't there you can see the footage on the Dover site.


In line with play?

Dover 1 - Linesman 1 - Referee 1 - Leatherhead 0

It is a fine line between success and failure, but when the man who is paid a fee and expenses fails to see the ball cross the line and hit the back of the net while being followed by a Dover defender then you are always likely to fail.

Leatherhead fielded a strong side with Scott on the right, Chippy on the left, Julian started in place of Stevens who missed last game while on holiday and they started strongly too. At first the long ball proved MCS was faster than their centrebacks then after an enforced change, which saw new boy Ronnie Green play on the right, Leatherhead had the measure of them throughout midfield. Then the "breakthrough"...

A free kick into the box saw a scramble, the Julian swung a boot and the ball sailed in to the back of an albeit droopy net followed by a Dover boot that scooped it. It was obvious! We celebrated, Dover fans were commiserated, the linesman hesitated... no goal. That is two in two games now.

Dover soon had there one chance of the half, a long diagonal cross to the edge of the box which Tommy came to collect but was beaten to it and the header crawl just wide.

Where Dover looked ordinary first half, they came out a different side and were soon on top. Sensing that a breakthrough could come they made two further attacking changes, meanwhile Leatherhead made none. At this point they were worth their goal and a lose clearance found Dover with possession on the right and a shot across the box found the bottom left.

Two subs were quickly warmed up but waited on the bench for 10 minutes before Dave Stevens and Paul Sears came on for Julian and Beero. Tanners started to make a few more chances and it looked to have come when MCS found some space, broke free one on one with the keeper only to receive a shove from behind. He went down and the ref saw nothing wrong and play went on. Incompetence was now replaced by cowardice.

Dover created another clear chance but the free header was planted firmly over the bar.

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead make a rare Saturday long distance trip tomorrow to play pre-season favourites Dover in the league. Usually such trips are only for a Tuesday!

There were only two away trips I was really looking forward to this season. The last day against Walton by the Thames and this one, so it is a shame that a Ross Family plague may prevent me from travelling.

Dover have a live internet broadcast and I will post the link on match day.

Directions

Follow the M2/A2 to Dover as far as the Whitfield roundabout (near the Esso petrol station and McDonald's Drive-Thru). Take the fourth exit here, down Whitfield Hill, and at the roundabout turn left and follow this road until the first set of traffic lights. At these lights turn right, down the hill, following the road under the railway bridge, and the ground is just past the bridge.

Pub Guide

By all accounts they have a good sizeable bar in the ground but I am going to recommend an early prematch snifter and sustainence in a pub just round the corner called The Cricketers.

Action!

Bashley nicked it by one goal last night over Burgess Hill in the only midweek fixture. The only other fixture before the weekend sees Molesey play on a Friday night when they entertain Walton Casuals. Weekends will never feel the same again!

Tanners 0 - 1 Dulwich Hamlet

Leatherhead started brightly smacking the bar four times in the opening half hour, one of them clearly dipping down over the line. This was seen by everyone but the ref and the linesman, their 'keeper even joked with the other linesman after the interval about it!

Tommy Moorhouse only lasted half an hour picking up an injury and then it was back to the Leatherhead that failed to score against the 10 men of Met Police. After the break the seemingly hapless Dulwich attack stole a goal after the break.

Soon after it was Leatherhead's turn to be down to 10 after Jamie was adjudged to be the last man on what looked to be a good challenge. With only 10 men the game was all but over but we still had time to hit the bar again.

Dover Coach

Dover is only a week awayand we're making a provisional booking for the Dover game on 25th March, but as always it depends there being enough numbers.

The price will be £10 for a member and £12 if you're not. All youngsters £6. With the coach leaving the ground at 10.30 am.

If you're interested please give your name to Dick tomorrow.

Dulwich Hamlet Are Coming

Leatherhead will be hoping to maintain their 100% record against Dulwich tomorrow after beating them away in the league and home in the Surrey Senior Cup. They are sitting just one point behind us in the league, albeit after playing three more games, so it is crucial that we win not to lose further ground.

It should be a classic affair with Tommy reunited with his old Leatherhead team mates and Dave Stevens with his Dulwich chums.

Kick-off at 3pm so see you there!

You wanted more… so we give you Moorhouse

The Moorhen has landed with the return of Tommy Moorhouse to The Grove from Kingstonian. With many crying out for an extra bit of steel in midfield should be delighted to see him back.

He is eligible to play this Saturday to face Dulwich Hamlet at the Grove so see you there!

Any favours out there?

Leatherhead will be hoping for a few favours tonight with some big hitters playing tonight. The fixtures are

Dover Athletic v Kingstonian
Metropolitan Police v Molesey
Tonbridge Angels v Bashley

Any predictions?

Another Request

I have had another email via the official site for information that is not at my fingertips. Despite no help on the last request I am holding out more hope this time.

"I'm trying to trace the playing career of former Partick Thistle players. I recently purchased the FA non-league directory 1986. Leatherhead have a player called Jimmy Richardson listed as having previous league experience with Wimbledon & Partick Thistle, do you have any records or information on him ?"

Can you help? Then email me at the usual address.

Met Police 2 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead fall foul to a Met Police sucker punch, scoring on the break while playing with just 10 men for most of the game to all but end play-off hopes.

It was a dream start for the Tanners with Doherty reacting to a loose ball first and placing it past the statue-esque 'keeper after just 2 minutes. Then 20 minutes later the Tanners defense allowed too much time to cross and too much space in the box for an easily headed goal for 1-1. Then the worst thing happened... the Met were reduced to 10 men and therefore all but ended our hopes of victory as we have so rarely punish sides in the past.

The inevitable happened 20 minutes into the second half when a lofted cross was sent goalwards and lobbed poor Tommy to make it 2-1.

You couldn't fault the Tanners effort and play though. We cut into the Met for most of the game but failed to take our chances. Much credit should go to their 'keeper who made two crucial saves in the first half which kept them in the game.

Travelling Tanners

Tomorrow Leatherhead take on one of the big boys in the shape of Met Police. With only one defeat to their name it will be a tough test, but hopefully we will be ready for it with the return of Scott Bennetts. One thing is for certain though, it will be a thin blue line between success and failure...

Directions

Exit at the A3 the next junction noth after the M25, turning right onto the A245 towards CobhamAt the 2nd roundabout fork left onto the A307 towards EsherTravel through Esher centre passing Sandown Racecourse on your leftAt the traffic lights beside Café Rouge turn left into Station Road.

Continue along Station Road , which becomes Ember Lane. The rear entrance for the playing fields is on your leftFor the Main Club house follow Ember Lane until you can see the Club House and Grounds. The entrance is opposite the junction with Ember Court Road and Letsby Avenue...

Pub Guide

No need for a pub guide this week. Their club house has everything you need and even does food, although I will need to check when they stop serving for lunch.

Can You Help?

I received this request via the official site and yet again I am found wanting. Can you help?

"I am trying to locate any old team line-up photo's of leatherhead fc from the 1950's, my father Stanley Wiltshire played for the club for a while sometime then,i would like to find photo's or even press reports from that era? maybe a local history site or local newspaper site that i could view? Any help and assistance that you could forward would be greatly appreciated."

If you have any pictures, email me and I will pass it on.

Last Night

Here are the results that see Leatherhead slip a place due to Cray winning, but they have played three more games than us. Most notable slip up is Dover who fail to take advantage of their game in hand and stay behind us on goal difference.

Ashford Town 1-2 Dulwich Hamlet Attendance 93
Corinthian Casuals 1-2 Cray Wanderers Attendance 50
Dover Athletic 2-3 Hastings United Attendance 449
Ramsgate 1-1 Banstead Athletic Attendance 150
Tooting & Mitcham United 1-1 Metropolitan Police Attendance 166

LYMINGTON MATCH OFF!!

The Grove is under water, the pitch is unplayable, so tonight's game has just been called off. New date to be advised shortly.

So put your raincoat away, and have a cosy night in by the telly...

Popeye

Lymington & New Milton Are Coming

The last time we met it was a midweek encounter but played in some of the worst conditions many have seen which high winds and driving rain. It was Leatherhead who made the best of it then, snatching a 1-0 win. Tim Edwards even said he felt sorry for our then hosts.

With the play-offs still just about within our grasp, tonight’s game will no doubt be a nervous affair so be sure to get down there and cheer them on!

Kick off at 7.45…

Blank Weekend

The crazy league structure of having 23 teams has thrown up a free weekend. If you are hoping to get away from mundane tasks as shopping etc here are the rest of the fixtures for you to choose a suitable distraction...

Ashford Town v Lymington & New Milton
Bashley v Cray Wanderers
Corinthian Casuals v Burgess Hill Town
Dover Athletic v Molesey
Horsham v Tonbridge Angels
Kingstonian v Fleet Town
Newport IoW v Hastings United
Ramsgate v Croydon Athletic
Tooting & Mitcham United v Banstead Athletic
Walton Casuals v Dulwich Hamlet
Whyteleafe v Metropolitan Police

I, on the other hand, am reaquainting myself with St Mary's Stadium to watch Saints v Coventry... I know the Ashford game sounds more attractive!