The Met 2 -2 Tanners

Leatherhead fought out one of the best games you are likely to see at this level. The Met Police game is always a heated affair and this was no exception with both sides feeling they should have one this one.

The first half saw some creative play from Leatherhead but the pressure from the Met, hitting the bar on one occasion. The pressure told as a reflex save fell to one of their strikers who made no mistake this time after being presented with a number of similar chances.

Leatherhead fought back in the second with them having the upper hand. Dave Stevens limped off and was replaced with goal scorer Julien Thompson who took his chances well by latching onto a lose ball in the box.

He soon limped off to be replaced by Jamie Read. Meanwhile the Met benefited from a kind deflection of a defender as a speculative shot wrong footed the Tanners 'keeper. Back we came winning a free kick from MCS' hard work only for Sargent's free kick to sail in beating the 'keeper near post.

We probably wanted all three points going into the game but will be happy with one after a battling performance. Worries over the two injured strikers will no doubt worry the management more with the FA Cup game approaching.

Travelling Tanners

Tonight we are travelling to a venue where the unpredictable happens. A few years ago they were all over us yet we hung on to win. Then to balance things out we took an early lead last year with them down to 10 men and they came back to win.

We are the team in form with two 2-0 wins, but will that count for anything at Ember Court?

Kick-off at 7.45.

Youth Update

First league game away to Cobham, played on Thursday evening ended in a 1 – 1 draw.

A special mention to Daryl Cooper–Smith who had to play in goal after our keeper was injured in the warm up.

Tanners 2 - 0 Sittingbourne

Leatherhead handed out their second lesson in football in as many games. The defense hardly gave the visitors a sniff, the midfield efficiently controlled the centre with a combination of hard tackles and accurate passing while the front pair combined throughout.


Although it was an even contest for the first 20 minutes Leatherhead soon found their rhythm and a lofted ball over the defense to Stevens was calmly chested down and powerfully slotted home for the opening goal.

The second half started as it had ended and MCS was on hand to take advantage of a poor back pass to put the game safe.

Julien Thompson then came on for MCS with two great chances through on goal with on the 'keeper to beat. The first he unselfishly passed to Dave Stevens with too much pace and the second hiss lobbed effort drifted over.

Six points from nine... and we still have Harlow on the beach!

Sittingbourne Are Coming

They are new to the league but have no intention of making friends by giving away points as they have a 100% record so far. I cannot remember the last time we played it each, certainly in a league game so this could be a first.

What's more, the boss is back!

Bird Watch

Keen twitchers will have noted that the Bird that flew the nest appears to have landed at Carshalton. It would appear he is there as a scout and not as a manager.

Tanners 2 - 0 Whyteleafe

For a while the fans must have wondered where a goal was coming from as the first half saw little action but the doubters were answered with a second half that saw two goals.

MCS and Dave Stevens both find the back of the net to bring home the first points of the season. With Sittingbourne coming at the weekend it was crucial that the nerves were settled.

Whyteleafe Are Coming

The Tanners host their first league game tonight and we welcome Whyteleafe to the Grove. The side was disappointed with the result away at Fleet so a game straight afterwards could be the perfect remedy.

Kick off at 7.45!

Youth Round Up

Last Sunday the Youth team lost 4- 1 away to Walton & Hersham. The goal from D Cooper-Smith. As a team they will struggle a bit against full U18’s teams as our team are all 16 year olds. But the quality of the football was good and we came back from 4-0 down at HT to win the second half!

Last night we draw 1-1 with Corinthian Casuals, goal from O Keen. We had a lot of boys away therefore had a few trialists.

Our first league game is away to Cobham Fc on Thursday 24th August 06

Fleet 1 - 0 Tanners

Last year we got the help of an own goal in the opening few seconds away at Fleet. Without that generosity again we huffed and puffed through the second half.

We had our chances though, mainly in the first half where we looked our most threatening. Dave Stevens looking the sharper, turning players and denied a goal from a lobbed attempt only by the agility of ex-tanner Gray.

Dave Stevens was through on goal in the last kicks of the first half but went down under pressure with no penalty given. MCS was through on goal early in the second but placed his shot wide.

Fleet's goal came at a time when Leatherhead's creativity had just departed and, while they weren't tearing us apart, looked more danderous. It was a long range effort that just seemed to sail over the 'keepers head.

Disappointing but Tuesday will be a chance to make amends.

Travelling Tanners

Here we go again!

Directions
Fleet is only a short distance from the town centre. Come off the M3 Fleet turnoff and follow the signs to Fleet and you'll end up driving through the town centre high street.

Drive through to the end where you'll come to a crossroad & traffic lights, the Oatsheaf pub to your right and a Chinese restaurant to your left as you look ahead.Go straight over the lights; pass a police station on your left & Fleet Coaches to your rightGo down a hill & Fleet FC is on your right at the bottom of the hill.

Pub Guide
The Prince Arthur in Fleet Road is the only pub out of the two suggested that can cater for us.

Tanners 1 - 2 Horsham

It was the same old Horsham story. We take the lead and then throw it away in the last of the friendlies.

MCS scored the opening goal in the second half only for it to be cancelled out by a long range effort. Then before you could say "a draw would be a good result" a uncharacteristic error let them in for the second.

Well, get the mistakes in now before Saturday!

Horsham Are Coming

Monday night sees our old friends Horsham arrive at the Grove for our last friendly.

The last time we met here it was quite a game. We were 2-0 inside 10 minutes and then stuffed it up and lost 4-2. Since then Horsham have won promotion while we find ourselves still plotting our charge to the Premier.

This will be our best test yet of how far we have come...

Lymington & New Milton 0 - 1 Tanners

This game hinged on one moment of madness. A moment that will long live in my memory as will the Zidane headbutt for sheer stupidity, yet at the end of it all fair play.

"Benno" and their 'keeper came together for a 50-50 ball with Scott catching his hands with his studs as they came together. Normally this would result in a punishment for the attacking player but the 'keeper had slid a foot outside of his box to gain the advantage so the ref awarded us the free kick.

Scott tried to wrestle the ball from the 'keeper and Lymington man launched the most obvious haymaker I have ever seen. Not that it landed with much force but it tops my list of outragous incidents.

So, down to 10 men after 8 or 9 minutes so Mark Harper does the sporting thing and tells the ref there is no need to sub the new 'keeper on so we could keep 11 v 11. After all that Dave Stevens scores from the free kick.

Not much else happened. They had the better of the second half with Beero and Chippy hemmed back a little more than they had been at Uxbridge.

Bring on the Horsham!

Travelling Tanners

Tomorrow (today for me) we make the long journey to the New Forest for our penultimate friendly. Where as last year we had a mid week game, playing in August brings its own travel worries so if you are making the trip make sure you leave early.

Directions

The ground is adjacent to the A337, to the West of New Milton. From Christchurch or Lyndhurst on the A35 take the B3058 signposted for New Milton. Follow the road through to the town centre (approx. 2 miles). After passing the railway station on the right, in the centre of the main shopping area, turn right at the traffic lights into Old Milton Road. Follow this road to the end where it meets the A337 (Christchurch Road) in a T junction and turn right (towards Christchurch). The ground is approx. half a mile along on the right hand side.

Pub Guide

I am going to suggest The Old Barn in New Milton. Looks like a nice place to meet up!

Leatherhead Youth 2 -2 Carshalton Athletic

The Youth Team's first friendly last night finished 2-2 against a strong Carshalton Athletic team. Goals from H Seudieu and C Marshall.

Next game away to Walton & Hersham on Sunday morning 13th Aug 06.

Uxbridge 0 - 3 Tanners

Leatherhead persevered with their new look formation of three at the back with a couple of tweaks. Notable Jamie Beer at right back in place of Scott Bennetts who played in the centre of midfield.

It was down the right that most of the creative play came in the first half and the Tanners definitely looked the stronger team without either side really threatening goal. Dave Stevens did get the ball into the net but was deemed to be offside.

The second half was a different affair with both sides getting chances but the lion’s share falling to Leatherhead.

Dave Stevens latched onto a lose ball in the box to score the first. The second was almost a trademark Leatherhead goal with MCS performing some trickery out on the wing to cross it into Dave Stevens. His shot hit the post but fell kindly to Greenaway who made no mistake from 3 yards.

Sandwiched between our two goals was an excellent double save from Borg. First parrying a close range shot two his right, recovering to save the second shot at near point blank range. Prior to that he also pulled off a fine one handed save that needed quick reactions.

The last goal again was created by MCS. This time it was his powerful shot that could not be held by the ‘keeper so Julien took the presented chance.

Next stop, the New Forest!

Travelling Tanners

I was looking forward to this game but I only ruddy forgot about it and had the wife remind me of it! Anyway tonight we are away to Uxbridge in another friendly that will prove to be a test.

I am aiming to get to the Brickmakers Arms in Horton Bridge Road which is just round the courner for around 6.30 for something to eat. Hopefully see you there.

















From the Tooting site - click on map to get full size version.

Tanners 1 - 5 Sutton

With only a week before their season starts Sutton looked the sharper as the half started. However it was Leatherhead that would take the lead and hold out the first half 1-0 after MCS worked himself into the box only for him to be brought down. Sargent was on hand to send the keeper the wrong way.

The half time talk obviously did the trick as their catch phrase in the dressing room "take your chances" came home to roost. Perhaps some sharper defending may have avoided a couple of the goals but in truth Sutton showed their gap in class.

Sutton Are Coming

Tomorrow sees Paul Harford return to the Grove for the second time, but this time to bring his Sutton side for the latest friendly.

Leatherhead will hope to build on tehir comprehensive 5-0 win over local rivals Dorking whereas Sutton have had their own impressive run.

Saturday will also be your chance "How Green is Mole Valley"! From only my first scan I can see it is an excellant book and well worth the £18.50 if only to see my attempt at catching flys behind the goal during the Farnborough game!

















Out Now!

Tanners victory pictures


Captain Iain Hendry gets ready to receive the first silverware of the new season from Advertiser Group Sports reporter Steve Rudaini (left). Official photographer Tim Edwards looks on admiringly.

Happy manager Dave Harlow leaves the pitch at the end of the game (below)whilst the victorious Tanners team show off the trophy (further below).

Tanners 5 - 0 Dorking

A gutsy first half performance from Dorking was not enough to prevent Leatherhead retaining the Advertiser Trophy as they turned on the style in the second half.

Smart work by MCS set up Dave Stevens for the first and that was quickly followed by goals from Chippy and Julian as well as new boys Greenaway and Read. The last being the pick of them all with a stunning finish.

Bring on Sutton!