DARTFORD 1 - 2 TANNERS

It's like this.

First half you go a goal down.

Second half Sarge equalises.

You then wait till the 92nd minute.

Sound familiar?

Then Stevo wins it again.

Still sound familiar?

Anyway, it's true.

Three points.

A superb team performance - 'never-say-die'.

Can't write a full report, too excited.

Manager's Mutterings (live remix)

On the official Ryman League Clubcall line today (and for the rest of the
week), listen to Leatherhead manager Dave Harlow about how his club have
reached the FA Cup First Round.

The interview can be heard by telephoning 09066 555 777 - calls cost 60p per
minute.

FA Cup latest and back to the league tonight

By the end of today it should be confirmed whether the Tanners FA Cup tie against Torquay will be played on Saturday 11th or Sunday 12th. Obviously the former is more probable but watch this space for confirmation (it all depends on TV you see, darling).

But tonight we reacquaint ourselves with the Ryman League when we visit high flyers Dartford for one of their final games as Thurrock, before they move into their brand, spanking new stadium in a fortnight.

So tonight's game starts at 7.45pm and is at:

Thurrock FC
Ship Lane
Grays
Essex

How to get there:

M25 J31 (exit after tolls, left hand lane at tunel) third exit at next roundabout (Ship Lane), ground on the right about 200 yards down (next to Thurrock Hotel). Simple.

Telephon: 01708 865 492, website: www.dartfordfc.co.uk

Hangover or adrenalin still pumping? You decide.

AFC Sudbury 1 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead book their place in the first round thanks to two goals from Bolger and Stevens, the latter coming in injury time. The Travelling Tanners made their presence felt from the off, gathering by the tunnel full of song and armed with green and white balloons. Sudbury could only reply with a cluster of face painted fans and an Adam Ant look-a-like.

For a second it looked like it wasn't going to be our day when a finely hit strike slid past Borg. I say for a second, it was probably about 90 and Bolger was quick to latch onto a dropped (on of many) catches from the Sudbury keeper.

The second half seemed to turn when their left back clattered into MCS and got a red card to match his hair. Ironically, this swung the game into AFC's favour as Leatherhead opted for a patient build up over their kitchen sink approach. They thought they had got their reward as a deflected shot struck the post and rebounded to an unmarked striker. As his shot hit the back of the net the lino raised his flag.

It seemed as if Leatherhead only respond to goals scored, allowed or otherwise, and within seconds a lofted ball found Dave Stevens whose deft turn (which became defter in the car park as he recounted his goal to his colleagues) beat the two defenders leaving him an open shot at goal. His powerful shot beat a distracted 'keeper who had allowed the travelling support to get under his skin. Torquay awaits...

Travelling Tanners

I am hoping football will become a non-contact sport this weekend if we are to avoid the debacle of Tuesday night. All sight impaired officials should wear those huge sports glasses Kareem Al Jabar used to wear for the LA Lakers in the 80’s.

Anyway I digress. Saturday needs no introduction as we travel to AFC Sudbury in the heart thumping 4th Qualifying round of the FA Cup and it couldn’t be closer Only this week they have proved that a two goal lead is not enough and come back to win a replay while we have forced a higher ranked opposition to run to the dressing room like a bunch of school girls (albeit, schoolgirls that can swear like troopers).

Two coaches are making the trip with many more by road so it should prove to be a great atmosphere at the green end!

Now I’m not one to try and influence the officials but I hope the ref takes note of the standard of footballs they use there. This picture from their website clearly shows either they use half the recommended amount or they use a ball you can buy for 99p from a garage…

See you there!



Directions

From Braintree
Take A131 through Halstead to Sudbury. On descending hill into Sudbury turn left at first Traffic lights and then take first right into Brundon Lane. Road narrows before reaching ground.

Pub Guide

I think the plan is to get to the club house for 2pm. For the early birds the Kings Head is only 500 meters up the road.

Cowardly Worthing Tip The Ref The Wink

Winless Worthing lived up to their rebel nickname after being outclassed by an experimental side at the Grove today. After Julien Thompson ran their defense ragged he got his reward early to make it 1-0.

Clueless Worthing had no response to save the game until the referee's assistant lost a contact lens. On came the reliable John Syrett who has been deemed fair by so many other teams but the Worthing manager, sensing another hiding took his rabble off.

I would have thought a team such as Worthing that are struggling for form in their league would not wish to travel back up the A24 for another lesson in football but that is what they opted to do. They should be ashamed.

Worthing Are Coming... At Last!

Worthing are coming to the Grove for the latest round of the Westview Cup. It will be a tough test if it were to be played on any day but when it is just a few days before THAT game it will be made even tougher.

This could be the chance some of the "fringe" players have been looking for to put themselves into contention for one of the biggest games in recent years. The quality that is jostling for first team places is a luxury we have not had in recent years so it will be an interesting contest.

Kick off at 7.45pm...

Trophy Draw

Tanners look to clean up this year in the Trophy as they have drawn Team Bath in the second round. It looks like there is a pattern emerging with the FA Cup being away and the Trophy away.

In a twist to Travelling Tanners, many are going to Kingsmeadow to scout out AFC Sudbury tonight. Here's to energy sapping extra time!

Travelling Tanners
Advance Notice

Just to let you know there has been a change to the originally published date for the Dartford game. Instead of the Tuesday, 31 October it will be Monday, 30 October.

They ground share with Thurrock but directions will be put here nearer the time.

Tanners 1 - 0 Rothwell

Leatherhead just did enough to ease past Rothwell in the First Round of the FA Trophy. Rothwell did start the brighter, hitting the post and the rebound was blasted over instead of into the welcoming net.

It was on the stroke of half time that we stuck, the ball swinging out wide left to Benno who struck his shot past the 'keeper. Obviously something upset the visiting manager as his words with the referee resulted in him being sent off.

The second half was largely forgettable until the ref made his biggest blunder. Beero slid in and perfectly knicked the ball away from their striker who threw himself to the ground. The ref fell for it in a shocking decision. Justice was served as the penalty was missed as was the visitors chance of a replay.

Bring on the Worthing Tuesday where you will be able to sign up for one of two coaches running to AFC Sudbury (prices £10, £8 and £5 for non-members, member and children). AFC could only manage a 2-2 draw with Kingstonian today and will replay Monday night.

Rothwell Town Are Coming

This is a sentence I never thought I would write... Leatherhead are through to the next round of the FA Trophy. Our visitors are Rothwell Town who play in the same division as our last opponents Berkhamsted in the first time the two sides have met (I think).

While we will be getting carried away with FA Cup proceedings, there is still £1,350 up for grabs here so plenty to play for. Lets hope there is a result as a draw could see us host Worthing on the Thursday!

FA Cup Coverage

Look at it...

"Leatherhead were in goalscoring form as they eased past Mangotsfield United 4-1. Jamie Beer opened the scoring with a powerful effort from the edge of the box before Dave Stevens hit a Cup hat-trick to seal the win."

...all of that coverage in www.thefa.com ! They are really spoiling us.

On a happier note Gerald is busy getting quotes for TWO coaches for the game at AFC Sudbury so more details will follow soon.

Tanners 4 - 1 Mangos

The man from Del Monte... he says yes! Yes these mangos were ripe for the picking in a night where Leatherhead eased past their higher placed rivals. Tales of how good they were away from home and our vulnerability to pace were put to rest as we raced to a 3-0 lead.

After just two minutes the ball fell to Jamie Beer on the edge of the box who lashed in the kind of shot some of the best strikers in the world would have been proud of, straight into the right hand corner.

Just five minutes later a corner was fired in by Sargent. The pace and height was too much as it bent in behind the defense. In the panic it looked like Dave Stevens many have got the important touch to fire it past the hapless keeper.

The crowd were in wonderland when the third, again fired in by Sargent, was headed home by Dave Stevens for his second. Mangos rallied and applied their fast following game but just when it looked like their efforts were wasted a rash challenge clipped the standing foot of the striker who took a tumble in the box. It was calmly put away to make the game interesting.

Now the Mango's boasted pace but their second half tactics fell straight into the lap of Leatherhead. They opted for a slow build up before firing the ball into the box. Food and drink to a defense that has conceded so few from open play.

That said the pressure was building and it was against the run of play, fresh on the pitch, Julien Thompson worked some magic and from his hard work to swing the ball over to the unmarked Stevens for his hattrick. Now if only he could prove he hit the first goal with his left foot and it would have been a perfect one.

"Sudbury...Sudbury... we're the famous Leatherhead and we're off to Sudbury!"

The Day Has Arrived

Tonight's eagerly awaited replay is only a few hours away with both sides eyeing up a chance to play AFC Sudbury in the 4th Qualifying round.

For those who want to reminisce about Saturday in the build up, the Mangos have a site with some very good pictures on and it can be found here.

I found this one... I don't want to influence the ref but observe the shirt pulling and Henders' open hand... that's worth half a penalty alone!

FA Cup Draw

The prize up for grabs Tuesday night is a Forth Qualifying round tie away (where else?) to Ryman Div 1 North side AFC Sudbury.

They look to be a side of similar standing to us after managing one more game in the league.

FA Cup Draw

The prize up for grabs Tuesday night is a Forth Qualifying round tie away (where else?) to Ryman Div 1 North side AFC Sudbury.

They look to be a side of similar standing to us after managing one more game in the league.

The Mangos Are Coming
FA Cup Replay

With most of the other Ryman sides playing at the weekend Leatherhead slip down to 8th but few will care about that this week (or this month even with any luck) as we have an FA Cup replay to look forward to.

The 1-1 draw away was a fine effort but now we must bring them to the Grove to do the job properly and it is going to be quite an encounter if the second half was anything to go by.

Kick off at 7.45... see you there!

Travelling Tanners

Two years ago Leatherhead travelled up the M4 to play Bath in the FA Cup and that is pretty much where we find ourselves this weekend as we make our way to Mangotsfield. The team are in fine form too, scoring a hatful of goals midweek on their way through a round we very rarely win. It couldn’t be set up any better for this tough challenge…

Directions

Exit the M32 at Junction 1 and follow the A4174 Ring Road, through the traffic light controlled cross roads. At the first roundabout turn left and continue on the A4174 Ring Road to a second roundabout.

At the second roundabout continue on the A4174 Ring Road until you reach the third roundabout. At this roundabout turn right onto the Westerleigh Road, past the Beefeater pub and Esso garage on your left go across the mini roundabout to a set of traffic lights.

At these lights turn left into Blackhorse Road, continue along this road and across another mini roundabout into Richmond Road. At the T junction with St. James Street turn left, after approximately 100 metres take the second turning on the left (immediately past the church) this is Cossham Street, the ground is approximately 300 metres on the right immediately after the mini roundabout

Pub Guide

Frankly I know how Winston Churchill must have felt as he pondered over his D-Day plans and how he was going to keep those free spirited Americans in the line. I already have two break-away groups in Mangotsfield alone.

The pub voted as the “official” pre-match meeting point in The Salutation and there I recommend you meet there. However that does not serve food so The Lamb Inn is the best choice if you want pub grub. Details of the pubs are found on their website.

That said there are a few that don’t mind to have a burger for lunch so you can go directly to the ground.

For those coming in by train I will be in Bristol for lunch. I have chosen the Hole In The Wall for now but email me if you plan to be the same as we can exchange numbers in case that pub turns out not to be suitable etc.

Berkhamsted Town 2 - 4 Leatherhead


Three goals in the first 25 minutes saw the Tanners into the next round of the FA Trophy at the expense of a Southern League side who were outclassed on the night. Berkamstead were fortunate to finish the game with eleven players after a performance that saw an increasing use of the elbow and some weak refereeing from an official who was unable to match his performance of the previous Saturday.

After a bright start that saw the Tanners pressing forward and Marc Charles-Smith being felled just short of the penalty area, the Mole Valley side took the lead after 15 minutes. A Jamie Beer corner came to Steve Sargent 20 yards out and his low shot sliced into the net with the goalkeeper unsighted.

The match was taking a physical turn with Leatherhead reacting to some dangerous use of the elbow which the referee did not take under control. Lee Doherty was booked for a late challenge but soon redeemed himself when he hit home from close in after the home keeper, John Totty failed to hold a shot and the defender was the quickest to react.

Within a minute the game was buried when a Dean Carpenter break from the midfield and lay-off saw Sargent again drill in a low shot to make the Tanners lead unassailable.

Berkamsted did have their moments. Paul Borg pulled off a series of saves and was buffeted by the home forwards as they tried to claw their way back into the game. They did get some reward in the 45th minute when Adam Gray was adjudge to have pulled down a Berkhamsted forward – he had been elbowed and was on the ground when the quick free kick was turned in by Gilbert Gahgwanyin. Gray did not reappear in the second half.

The second half saw more Tanners dominance. Within a minute Sargent hit the post and Iain Hendry shot over. Dave Stevens had a number of chances but it was not his night. On a number of occasions John Totty made crucial saves and the woodwork foiled the Tanners striker too.

Leatherhead’s final goal came from yet another free kick. Sargent, who had been outstanding all night, lifted a free kick over the wall from the left and Iain Hendry netted with a superb glancing header.

Gahgwanyin scored his second with 6 minutes left but it was too late for Berkhamsted. The Tanners had eased through with their first win in the Trophy since 1989 despite some weak refereeing and an over robust home side’s performance.

Team: Borg, Beer, Gray (Sears), Carpenter, Doherty (Harper), Hendry, Holmes, Sargent, Charles-Smith, Bolger (Bennetts), Stevens

Report by Steve Dennis

Travelling Tanners

For many this is a chance to revisit a ground where we suffered a crushing defeat in the hope of revenge, but for some this will be a new ground and a chance to exorcise the ghost of FA Trophy games past. I hope to hear of how Tanners fans hid the ball up their jumpers in the last few minutes to time waste as that is clearly the game they play.

hopefully next Saturday wont be lying too heavy on their minds as we try and negotiate a round that we have only won once since 1988!

Directions and Map

In Berkhamsted High Street, turn into Lower Kings Road at the traffic lights (the only set in the town), passing the entrance to Waitrose and take the left into Broadwater. The ground is on the right and ample free parking can be found at the end of Broadwater.

Pub Guide

I am going to recommend The Boat which is about a quarter of a mile away in George Street.

Tanners 1 -1 Berkhamsted

It looked like the curse of the Trophy was going to continue as the visitors scored in the 89th minute with a fine 25 yard drive. Leatherhead would have felt hard done by having struck the bar twice from a fine long range effort from Stevens and a lobbed header by Doherty.

But the footballing gods responsible for this bad run in this competition must have had a change of heart as the visiting manager unsportingly kicked away a ball rolling out for a Leatherhead throw in. The ball went our for a corner it was struck with such power and while the visitors relaxed Leatherhead deployed a multiball system and from the resulting throw in Julien Thompson broke free and smashed it past the tall 'keeper. Justice.

We now travel to their place on Tuesday night in place of the home Worthing game. Details will follow shortly.

Berkhamsted Are Coming

Berkhamsted will arrive tomorrow at the Grove to complete in the FA Trophy in a poor run of form but could hardly be considered underdogs in this competition. Only Rod can remember when we have last got past the opening stage and accounts for at least one of my doomed birthday match day sponsorship attempts (My Birthday 0- 7 Visitors).

That said the Tanners have looked good at home and have only let in two goals here and they both came via a lucky bounce and a penalty against Cray.

Kick-off at 3pm but check the Lip in the event of yet more rain…

Mango Coach – UPDATE

The club so far has booked one coach. It will leave the ground at 9.30am to take the players to a secret location at approximately 11.30am where they will have a light lunch prior to the big game. The coach will take the fans to a nearby watering hole for sustenance.

The coach will then depart from the Players Village retreat at approximately 1pm to leave for the ground for a 1.30pm arrival. The fans are then free to go to a nearby watering hole for sustenance.

The coach will leave the ground after a period sufficient to allow the players to eat and replenish lost fluids etc. I am not aware of this time at present.

The cost for this coach will be £5 for members and £8 for non-members.

At present we are reviewing the need for a second coach and will let you know in the next couple of days.

The Mango Coach

Those that are interested in travelling to the game by coach should email their interest so we have an idea of numbers etc.

We are getting quotes for two coaches, one for the players and another for supporters, but need to know how many people are interested before we go ahead and take bookings on Saturday.

Please register you interest by emailing me.

New Poll

At last a poll with some substance (you voted to be in the league we are in now by the way). I am busy prepapring for our trip to Bristol but need your advice on the pub...

Their website has a chioce of three so it is up to you to decide. You can review the pubs here.

Tanners 4 - 2 Cray

A FA Cup replay against a Bromley based side... what other score line than 4-2 would be appropriate... even one penalty thrown in too.

Too much for me to write tonight but MCS got two, Henders got a perfectly lobbed header and Julien Thompson scored with his first run at goal. Perfect!

Now, where the heck is Mangotsfield?

Cray Are Coming
FA Cup Replay

I am prepared to sink to almost any level in order to get my pun, but I will never sink as low as Lol in his wish for us to “scraype through”. That said tonight’s game is going to be huge and I don’t mind what the team do to get past this round.

The reward for us winning is the forth away trip in the competition in a row, to a new ground to boot. That and the stitching on our satchel requiring some serious seeing too.

Kick off at 7.45…. see you there!

Rebel Rebel

You wont have to wait long for the Westview Cup tie between us and Worthing. They will arrive at the Grove just a week later on Tuesday, 10th October.

The games are coming thick and fast now!

Mangotsfield Calling?

Should we get past the Cray replay Tuesday (kick off 7.45!), we will face a tall order in Mangotsfield on Saturday 14 October.

The Bristol based club is sitting pretty in second place so it will be food for thought for both Ryman managers as they plot how to proceed into the next round.

Cray 1 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead forced the draw in a game that didn't look to be going their way. Perhaps the signs were there on the 3rd minute after winning a corner. The now famous routine was put into play and worked perfectly until the shot and it was uncharacteristically blasted well wide by the inform Sargent.

Cray then opened the scoring with a Ronaldinho-esque cross beating Gibson and sailing into the side netting. Leatherhead tried to press for the equaliser and were denied two penalty claims. The better being MCS through on goal and was pulled back. That is twice in two FA Cup games his pace has gone unrewarded with a similar (and clearer) incident during the Molesey replay.

The second half got away and Leatherhead were focused on getting the all important equaliser. It came as the changes rang out on the pitch with Dean Carpenter making a return following injury. His fierce shot got an important deflection from Stevens and into the net.

Despite an onslaught of pressure by Cray we held out forcing the replay this Tuesday at the Grove, kick off at 7.45pm...