Cobham Are Coming

The Head Groundsman has done his pitch inspection and when factoring in forecast weather conditions he is confident that THE GAME WILL BE ON.

Therefore we will be welcoming Cobham (twinned with West Ham) to the Grove tonight for our first dip into the Surrey Senior Cup. I don’t remember the last time to two sides met but lets be thankful for small mercies… it’s a cup competition and its not Molesey!

Kick-off at 7.45pm

Hillians 4 - 1 Tanners

I wasn't looking forward to this game in the first place but an upbeat Dom convinced me it would be ok. So up beat was he I bought a round of drinks and planned to celebrate a 2-0 win.

It looked like the expense of the round was well spent when Bennetts bravely latched onto a loose ball to take the lead late in the first half but it soon came tumbling down in the second.

In the opening minutes Henders left a cross to Gibson... who was leaving it for Henders... net result an open goal. A wonder strike took the lead and then it all went down hill from there.

Cobham Tuesday, at last a break from the league where our form is shocking.

Travelling Tanners

The last set of results do not make for confortable reading for Tanners fans as we have failed to find the back of the net in three of our last four league games. Burgess Hill are also flying high in the league and we all remember being a man to the good, two nil up and having a penalty in the last 10 minutes only to draw 2-2 last season. Could be a long day…

Directions

As I remember parking here is a nightmare so get there early.

Leave the A23 at the junction of A2300 north of Hickstead show ground. Follow the signs to Burgess Hill / Wivelsfield Station.Over 1st roundabout, Left at second (past Triangle Leisure centre). Left at next roundabout then Right at the next.

Drive up the Hill for 300 yards then take the first left into Maple Drive (please drive carefully as this is residential) the ground is about 3/4 mile down this road on the left hand side look for the parking signs and the floodlights.

Match of the Day

While working on the DVD I have got hold of the MotD footage in e-fotmat. The file is too small to burn to DVD so I can email it out to those who are interested.

Email me with MotD as the title and I'll get it to you. Remember therefore not to use work addresses!

TANNERS 0 - 1 DARTFORD

Dartford reurned the compliment, and departed with all the points despite a much better performance from the Tanners.

Danny Lavender returned to the heart of the defence after an absence of over a year, and in a fairly even first half, made a couple of excellent interceptions.

The game hinged on two first-half incidents. Firstly, Chippy Carpenter's superb left-footed volley from the edge of the area smacked against the Dart's crossbar and rebounded to safety. Not long afterwards, a good cross from the Dartford right flank was headed home by a Dart attacker. He had too much room to direct his header, wrong footing Gibbo.

Tanners pressed for the rest of the game, bringing on the lively Julien Thompson to add to the firepower. We had good possession and whilst creating one or two good chances that on another night would have been converted, we couldn't find that final, vital killer touch.

A better performance, we were probably worth a draw. but it was the Darts who were able to celebrate sweet revenge for our away win less than a month ago.

Onto Burgess Hill Town on Saturday!

"Doo wah, doo wah, doo wah diddy, just like the boy from New York City"

Sorry wrong Darts! (Are you old enough to remember?)

It's Dartford FC who roll into Fetcham Grove tonight for an enticing Ryman League Division One South fixture k.o. 7.45pm.

I say enticing because:

1. We badly need to get back to winning after a couple of 'difficult' performances
2. The Darts got badly mauled 4-0 on Saturday
3. The Darts are near the top
4. Our 2-1 victory against the Darts (along with Stevo last minute winner) is still in everyone's minds as it was only a few weeks ago
5. Who knows who will turn out for us given our current injury crisis

Ignore Celtic Park (I still prefer Parkhead) or at least set the video, and get yourselves down to the Grove - it could be interesting.

Tanners 0 - 3 Maidstone

It seemed a rather odd thing to expect three point given their confessed lack of striking options and captain prior to today's game but that is what they left with after a rather disappointing display.

There seemed to be a general lack of urgency against a side, apart from their 11, that looked true to their midtable place. Only when the ball was blocked on the line by Steve Sargent did the game come to life, him seeing a red card and the penalty being put away after just 25 minutes.

Leatherhead other things to contend on top of that. Already without Adam Gray and Jamie Beer they were to lose Lyndval Duncan and Lee Doherty in the space of ten minutes. It was one of those days.

Try as they might Leatherhead couldn't get back into the game as the visitors eased into a 3 goal lead. The only thing to cheer was the lack of discipline shown by their number 5 who got involved in a needless fight in the corner. The ref didn't seem to know who started it at first but eventually found his man.

A word to the ref, when looking for the culprit, don't look at the eight or nine players surrounding you. Look for the player the furthest away from you who is pretending to do up his shoelaces while hiding behind the 'keeper. Just a thought...

On seeing red he then pushed the ref to get at his assistant but after a few words he found his way down the tunnel. The ref then let play go on before a rather unconvincing blow of the whistle to bring it to a close.

We need more spirit Tuesday to face a side that will be up for revenge after their last minute loss at their place just a few weeks ago.

Maidstone Are Coming

All the glamour of appearing in the national and local press is coming to an end. Now the only thing left to do are the things that pay the bills and that includes hosting well supported clubs like Maidstone in the league.

Maidstone were visitors here a couple of years ago in the FA Cup and brought a fair sized crowd who were only happy to come into the bar afterwards and chat so I look forward to welcoming them back (well, except for that bloke who kept on trying to stop me taking a photo of Stevo for the website!).

It was pointed out to me that we haven't won in four games. I hope we can put this right tomorrow. Kick-off at 3pm!

Pride

I have never been so proud to be in a picture in all my life. This is the picture that has been the topic of conversation on the message board. I have had quite a day today as you can read in Saturday's programme but this just about topped it off.

I have had this blown up to poster size already, all I need to do now is find a place for it!













Picture courtesy of the Herald Express

Molesey 2 - 2 Tanners

Just the usual midweek game tonight. Flood light failure halts proceedings early on and then quickly followed by Gibson being sent off for handball outside the box.

Dave Stevens was quick to capitalise on the confusion and tore into the home side by scoring two goals to take us clear with only 10 men. Then Molesey fought back showing the form that allowed them to beat Dulwich.

It didn't seem to be enough until the ref steppped in and made it another red card, this time for Molesey which spurred them on as it had us. The new found push saw their equaliser cross the line with two minutes to go.

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead finally rejoin the league campaign properly after some cameo appearances over the last month and a half with a visit to inform Molesy. This game goes ahead while Worthing appeal their charge of failing to fulfill the league cup fixture.

The players, by all account, are chomping at the bit to get back into action after the glamour of the FA Cup and there is nothing better than facing a gritty Molesey home performance…

Directions
Follow the A3 from London to Hook, then A309 to Marquis of Granby pub, right to Hampton Court Station, turn left for West Molesey, ground one mile on left.

Torquay 2 - 1 Leatherhead

There is no point attempting a match report as you can read it for yourselves in many of the national newspapers. It was a game that we can be proud of and with their players applauding ours for tackles and saves etc during the game it is something they can be proud of too.

I am collecting your e-snippits of the day for here, the official site and to put together a compilation CD / DVD including any match highlights that I can get my hands on. If you have any pictures or emailable video then please send it to mattleross@hotmail.com .

We're Off

The team are about to leave for the biggest game of their careers... so far! Now I don't want to sway the officials but this picture should illustrate just some of the ball tampering that is clearly going on down there in Torquay. An innocent search of the internet found this. Shocking!


There are even more shocking pictures available here. Referee, put a stop to this!

Tanners' FA Cup Song

Leatherhead's FA Cup Anthem. Coming to a terrace near you...

Its coming home,
Its coming home, its coming
Footballs coming home

Tears for heroes dressed in green
No plans for 1st round day
Stay in bed, drift away
It could have been all
Songs in the street
It was nearly complete
It was nearly so sweet
And now Im singing

One Swan on the shirt
FA Cup still gleaming
No more years of hurt
No more need for dreaming

Talk about football coming home
And then one day in Sudbury
We were strong, we had grown
And now I see Sarge ready for war
Stevo good as before
MCS ready to score
And Henders screaming

One Swan on the shirt
FA Cup still gleaming
No more years of hurt
No more need for dreaming

Its coming home, its coming home,
Footballs coming home....

Travelling Tanners

Here we are then, the only club in the country outside level 7 left in the FA Cup and with our sixth straight away draw to boot. Win, lose or draw this is an achievement we should all be proud of and enjoy and I look forward to seeing as many of you as I can there…

Good luck Tanners!

Directions

Take the A38 and then the A380 into Torquay, at the third set of traffic lights turn left into Hale Road, after passing through two mini roundabouts you will meet traffic lights at which you should go straight ahead into Warbro Road on which you will find the ground.

Pub Guide

The best suggestion so far is to visit their club house round the back of one of the stands called the Boots and Laces. You may even see the odd Leatherhead Director in there…

Tanners 0 - 4 Dulwich Hamlet

This was always going to be a tough game for Leatherhead with one eye on the BIG ONE. It is an easy excuse but Dulwich capitalised on our distraction by playing some attacking football and getting the goals to make this comfortable.

Despite some good moves by Leatherhead they failed to threaten and at least get something from the game in the form of a morale boosting goal.

Although a significant result in terms of the league, it will count for nothing come Saturday...

Dulwich Hamlet Are Coming

Tonight brings a league game and the arrival of table toppers Dulwich Hamlet. No doubt it will be an interesting game as Dave Harlow balances the need to win three points with getting through safely with all players intact.

It will also be the last chance to see the side before they step out onto the turf at Torquay so be sure to give them a good send off.

Kick off at 7.45...

Youth Update

While the senior team is making all the news, the Under 18's are busy away playing and trying to be the FA Cup stars of the future. Here is how they are going...

Tues 24th Oct – Ryman League Youth cup – Lost 2-0 away to Carshalton Ath.

Wed 1st Nov – SYL league cup – Won 3-2 away to Oakwood ( crawley ) goals from debutant Shipp and 2 from Cooper-Smith.

Next game away to Epsom and Ewell in the league on 8th Nov then at home on Sunday 12th Nov to Farnham Town in the Surrey Cup.

Read All About It!

The Daily Express will be running a feature on this years FA Cup minnows everyday this week in a build up to the game. Each day will feature a different person from the club.

Shockingly no one wants to hear from the Group CFO and how he has steered a tight ship though these choppy financial waters. I knew going on holiday would result in glory hunters stealing my limelight!

Tanners 0 - 3 Team Bath

Leatherhead taste defeat for the first time in months at the hands of the students and no wonder! They were bigger, quicker and were fresher after only being up for a couple of hours.

It all went wrong from the kick off as they opened the scoring after just 60 seconds with a move down the left being flicked in near post. The game rolled on with the Tanners looking leggy in most areas.

Second half saw Leatherhead try and get something from the game but just as it seemed we were getting on top of the visitors Gibson brought down their striker for a penalty which was put away with ease.

Julien Thompson missed the chance of the game for the Tanners to make things interesting but all hope was lost as they scored again from the break. With a hattrick, the visitors certainly earned their lie-in tomorrow in front of T4 and the Hollyoaks Omnibus.

Meanwhile Torquay lost 1-0 away at Walsall...

Back to cup competitions - Team Bath await

Following a little foray into Ryman League action last Monday, tomorrow sees the Tanners return to cup football with a challenging FA Carlsberg Trophy 2nd qualifying round tie against Team Bath.

Team Bath will be tricky opponents for two reasons. Firstly, they play a level above us in the Southern Premier League - the same as Mangotsfield United. And secondly, they are all very young and fit, that being the nature of the beast that is 'Team Bath'.

So come on down for the start of a momentous week in the history of Leatherhead FC. Team Bath tomorrow will be the starter, we then entertain league leaders Dulwich Hamlet here at the Grove on Tuesday, before climaxing at Torquay on Saturday!

Can we keep our Trophy run going and fill the satchel with another £1,350?

Only one way to find out - come on down. Kick-off tomorrow 3pm.

Can They Kick It?

SoccerAM's Helen will get an early chance to meet the team that stand between her Torquay and the second round proper as they will feature on the show before the game.

They will take place in the Cross Bar Challenge which will be filmed soon.

Meanwhile arrangement for the supporters is underway with at least one coach planned and another in the sidelines. Contact the club for details.