Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all Tanners fans where ever you are! Sadly there will be no game tomorrow (not sure the players share our loss) so the next time we'll see it other is at the weekend.

2007... onwards and upwards!

Tanners 0 - 3 Met Police
Slip-sliding away

Leatherheads purple patch got washed away in the rain in a game we bossed for the first 45 minutes. It was a game of the spectacular goal with the swirling wind being used to the Mets advantage.

Against the run of play the visitors went ahead near the end of the first half. Leatherhead adopted their 4-5-1 formation, despite being at home, and it looked like it would pay off. Two headers were missed from close range with another three gilt edged chances being carved out.

Leatherhead continued to battle in the second half but got little regard for their efforts. For a while the game turned nasty... dark clouds, howling wind and driving rain... it looked like the first game to be called off for being too eerie was upon us.

After the conditions abated Met Police turned on the style, deciding to shoot from anywhere on the pitch. It paid off as two shots beat the stranded Borg from distance, albeit moving all over the place in the wind.

Three goals flatters our visitors a bit but perhaps they deserve it for coping with the conditions better.

The Met Are Coming

While Boxing Day's game was the "Game of the Cushioned Header" (I have never seen so many from both sides in a game!) our last encounter with the Met Police was one of the best games of the season.

It had twists, turns, fluke deflections and stunning equalisers. Whats more they served samosas in the boardroom!

Leatherhead will need to win again to keep pushing back up the league. Tuesday's win saw us leap up five places, a neat trick if you can keep winning!

Kick off at 3pm... see you there (providing my new washer dryer is delivered on time!)

K's 2 - 3 Tanners

Leatherhead's Christmas Tree formation notched up another three points away at Kingsmeadow today. With Benno and Sarge in a more advanced positions they were able to carve up K's at will.

No surprise that the goal came from the two combining. Benno broke free down the right and cut back across the goal for a fine left footed strike for Sarge. The half ended 1-0 to Leatherhead with K's skimming the bar from one shot.

The K's fans could only respond with songs of Kingstonian Reject... I thought that was a bit harsh on the ground that had served them so well but who am I to argue.

Leatherhead gave them no chance to settle in the second by scoring two quick goals, both from crosses from the right to Bolger and Henders to mark his 300th game.

It seemed like these Kingstonian turkeys were up for a stuffing but back they fought. They found some room on the left to cross in and the ball headed home at the far post. Momentum swung their way and many fans feared for a Cray-esque result. Then Julien came on and used his power to find the corners to use up valuable time.

"Jingle Bells..." sang the travelling Tanners at last who had been silenced for so long.

Travelling Tanners

If the latest post on our message board is anything to go by the K's are in real trouble. The chances are their manager will just slap that petition up on the dressing room wall and they will come out firing.

It is the derby we all look forward too... hopefully we can enjoy 11 men on the pitch in green this time!

Kick off is at 3pm. See you there!

Directions

Head up the A3 towards London. Exit at the New Malden Junction and head towards New Malden (left turn if from the M25). Turn left at the next roundabout (The Fountain) and you are now on Kingston Road (A2043). The ground is in Jack Goodchild Way which is before you reach the town centre, but a few miles along the Kingston Road.

If in doubt ask for AFC Wimbledon's Stadium!

Happy Christmas!

Whether you are looking at the Lip on your new computer or choking back the tears from another disappointing round of presents (ruddy socks again!), Happy Christmas to you all.

Come on, be honest, this year has had its moments. The best of which are symbolised by an iconic photo... anyway... here's to a even better 2007!

Cray 0 - 2 Tanners

.....and a new formation too (perhaps DH has been reading the messageboard!).We lined up 4-5-1, as follows, Sears, Lavs, Dockers, Graysie; Sarge Holmes, Bolger, Greenaway, Benno; Stevo.

Now apart from the first 15 we looked a bit fragile, we then grew as the game went on and by the second half had completely overrun Cray to such an extent, that they probably walked off the pitch thanking their lucky stars that they hadn't lost 6-0.

And make no mistake, that wouldn't have been overly harsh!As the first half progressed, we gradually asserted ourselves, with Sarge whipping over plenty of dangerous crosses, and Stevo working hard as a lone attacker, making plenty of runs and laying the ball off well.

Second half, we started as we left off, but with more attacks being fed through the left hand side, and Benno becoming increasingly influential with a series of surging runs and quality crosses.

After a Greenaway header had been somehow cleared off the line (very close call as to whether the ball was in), another Benno pinpoint cross found Stevo with his back to goal.......no problem he just let it drop, turned and smashed it into the top corner.

Cray were now really struggling to cope with the rampaging Benno on the left and marauding Sarge on the right, with the trio in between spreading the ball well.........Cray possibly managed one effort all second half such was the dominance.

Then with a couple of minutes left MCS, on for the Stevo (who worringly was carried off with a damaged hamstring), broke from the halfway line and after toying with their no.4 was eventually impeded by him on the edge of the box.

A perhaps slightly fortunate yellow, but from a central position Sarge curled a shot along the deck and into the bottom left hand corner for 2-0. Three points, but the way that we completely dominated the second half was a joy to watch, the defence were assured, and Paul Sears in particular had a very good game, and with the midfield passing the ball well and constantly probing the Cray wings, there were plenty of decent crosses which on another day would've resulted in more goals.

Stevo was magnificent up front, working his socks off and scoring a cracking goal, at a time when it looked like it might be one of them days........more perfomances like that and we won't be experiencing those 'days' very often at all!

Report provided by: Levred Moler

Dreaming of a white Christmas?

Like some Charles Dickens story a thick fog has descended upon us and is playing havoc with the roads, planes and (worse still) football fixtures.

The BBC forecast says for Bromley no fog but has the visibility as "Very Poor" so I am not sure what that means for our game at Cray. I will try and get any updates here on the day but assume it is on until you hear otherwise...

'Twas the game before Christmas

'Twas the game before Christmas, when all through Hayes Lane

No a drinks were a serving, not even champagne;

The stockings were hung by the porta-cabin with care,

In hopes that the Leatherhead soon would be there…


Directions

Leaving the M25 at Junction 4, follow the A21 to Bromley and London, for approximately 4 miles and then fork left onto the A232 signposted Croydon/Sutton.

At the 2nd set of traffic lights turn right into Baston Road (B265), following it for about 2 miles as it becomes Hayes Street and then Hayes Lane. Bromley FC is on right hand side of road just after a mini roundabout. There is ample room for coaches to drive down the driveway, turn round and park.

Tanners 1 - 2 Croydon Athletic

Leatherhead's promotion campaign looks to have stalled again after failing to ram home their home advantage over Croydon Athletic.

Despite some lively play they found themselves one goal down early in the first half. Leatherhead tried to get on level terms but were held at bay by Croydon's defense.

Halfway through the second half our goal scoring midfield machine stepped in to bring us back. Although his efforts were in vein as the visitors hot back just a few minutes later.

Not even Chalton's cup defeat to Wycombe can cheer me up...

Croydon Athletic Are Coming

It’s Tuesday night and the messageboard is awash with loose talk surrounding the potential atmosphere at tonight’s game. I wouldn’t be surprised if some 70’s disco funk isn’t the main source of our chanting if one post is to go by…

The fact is we need to win this crucial game so that we can poke our heads into the top half of the table and be considered serious promotion contenders again.

Kick-off at 7.45… I’ll be eating roast turkey!

Tanners 1 - 0 Casuals

Home is where the win is for Leatherhead. For the first half we battered them, carving chance after chance but without getting much on target. Sargent was having a good game tucked back at an unfamiliar role of right-back.

The goal came from our newly emerging scoring-machine.... Mark Harper. He latched on to a corner to see it lob the 'keeper.

We continued to press to make the game safe but as the game wore on Corinthians grew in confidence and we began to cast our mind back to last week. We held on to end to pick up the vital points.

Corinthian-Casuals Are Coming

Leatherhead will hope to put to one side the disappointing defeat at the hands of Walton Casuals and put a few goals past a similarly placed side. The Tanners cannot afford to lose this game if the promotion push is to continue yet will face a side we always seem to struggle against.

Kick-off at 3pm… see you there!

Tanners Sink Well Below Par
G's 2 - 1 Tanners

The standard of golf from the nearby course seeped into Leatherhead’s second half performance as they let a vital three points slip.

Leatherhead seemed to ease into a game they seemed certain to win. The increasingly impressive Julien Thompson latched onto a ball that the defence seemed hesitant to clear for an opening goal. From there Leatherhead created chance after chance but failed to convert them.

Then from seemingly nothing Godalming latched onto a weakly headed back pass and made it one all on the stoke of half time.

The second half didn’t start much better for Leatherhead as all the creativity of the first half was now lost. In fact more creativity was exhibited in my second half burger that had salad and red onion to boot.

Godlaming thought they had scored but only got a corner. From the corner they made similar claims but this time the lino gave it.

Little more was produced and after the final whistle a couple of Leatherhead players scowled into the supporters looking to rebuff any negative reactions. Frankly this was some passion that should have been shown 45 minutes earlier,

GAME ON!

There is no need for a pitch inspection as the last 24 hours of rain free weather has allowed the pitch to drain away the surface water that was sitting on it Thursday night.

See you there!

Pitch Update

The Godalming man in the know seems to think the pitch is looking pretty good at the moment and if no rain falls we could be in. I don't think any is forecast so things are looking good.

There is a pitch inspection and I hope to get the news on here but in case I am out (on my way via a bar or something) look on www.godalmingtownfc.co.uk .

Travelling Tanners

This is going to be a close one... another drop of rain and this game could be off! If it goes ahead Leatherhead must surely be looking to dish out the same treatment that they did to similarly placed Walton Casuals. That said they have pulled off some stunning results with two 4-0's!

Directions
By Car
A3100 from Guildford, pass the Manor Inn on the left and then the petrol garage on the right. Weycourt is 50 yards further along the road on the right hand side.

A3100 from Godalming, pass the Three Lions pub on the left and then turn left into Weycourt immediately after the Leathern Bottle pub.

Parking: Please note that the club car park is for players and officials only therefore use the public car park next door to the ground.

Directions by Train

A very easy 1/2 a mile walk from Farncombe station. Exit the station from Platform 2. Turn right at the bottom of the station's entrance. Then turn left down St Johns Street. At the church, turn left along the alleyway. Follow this path all the way to the main road. Here you will find the Leathern Bottle Pub on the right and Weycourt on the left.

Pub Guide

Please let me know if you are having a couple before the game as I am just over the road but need to know in advance... say no more...

Quiz Night

Leatherhead (Youth Team I think...) will be hosting a quiz night to raise vital funds to build on their fine 2-1 win Tuesday night.

It will be held this Saturday night, so if you are interested get there for about 7.30pm.

While I'm here, if you are wondering where the messageboard has gone it has been pushed to the bottom by the youtube video. This posting may resolve the issue but if not you know where it is.

A Complete Wash Out

All three Ryman Div 1 South fixtures were rained off, worryingly Godalming too could not be play. Molesey seemed to have the worst of it... should have been overrun with swans though!

From the Ryman site...
Ashford Town v Leatherhead
MATCH POSTPONED - Pitch waterlogged

Godalming Town v Metropolitan Police
MATCH POSTPONED - Pitch waterlogged

Molesey v Cray Wanderers
MATCH POSTPONED - Pitch waterlogged
Ground so wet that it has been taken over by the Ducks

GAME OFF!

Respite for the weary Leatherhead players (and travelling supporters!) as tonights game has been called off.

The torrential wind and rain has proved too much for the ferries nearby so it was only a matter of time before the game bought it too.

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead have the unenviable midweek trip into deepest Kent as they try and prove they can do it on the road. Saturday was a real boost but consistency is needed to push up the table.

I will be monitoring the pitch situation and will post as soon as I know a definite outcome

Directions

Leave the M20 at Junction 10, follow the signs for International station and Brenzett. you should be on a dual carriageway called Bad Munsterieful road.

Follow this road straight over the first round about (McDonalds drive through and Travel Inn on your right).

At the next roundabout take the first exit sign posted Kingsnorth. At the next roundabout go straight over (Tesco's on your left). Follow this road for about 2 miles, going through Kingsnorth, passing the cricket club on the left.

The Homelands is 300 yards on your left.

You Tube!

Here is just one of the files I took while out and about in Torquay... which will hopefully make it on to the DVD once I get all of the files together!

I will be uploading a couple more and will post them as I do.

Tanners 3 - 0 Walton Casuals

When Julien Thompson opened his advent calendar this morning he must have hoped for more than the robin on a sprig of holy he no doubt saw... and he got it with a start, a goal and an all round Man of the Match performance.

His work created chances in the first half and won a free kick that we struck the post from. It was Benno who carved open the first goal, breaking down the right and crossed in that missed Stevo but found Bolger. Walton were not up to much and our confidence grew and grew.

The second half saw an early goal as a cross from Chippy found Adam Gray who fired at the keeper. The rebound found Stevens who miss timed his shot and the ball found its way to Julien who made no mistake.

The third goal came after more pressure and Mark Harper leapt like a salmon to nod it home, just as he did last season at their place.

We're back and we will want to build on this when we visit our jinxed ground at Ashford...

Walton Casuals Are Coming

Walton Casuals come to the Grove hoping to capitalise on our poor run of form and beat us for the first time in the league but have they come a Saturday too late?

Tuesday night saw us power home five goals, and while I always worry about the performance after a high scoring game this can only boost our confidence.

Kick off at 3pm… see you there… oh no you wont… oh yes you will…