Tanners 2 - 1 Basingstoke

Leatherhead's pre-season run of good form continues with yet another good display against higher opposition and now an all important win. By all accounts it was a strong squad the Hampshire side brought but goals from Beero and Greenaway proved the difference.

A goal for the visitors does not to the score justice as the team played so well. With the team starting to take shape and beating good teams confidence must be growing for the forthcoming season.

Surely Sutton wont muck around and will give us a game!? Saturday, 3pm!

Basingstoke Are Coming

From the talk on Saturday, if there was one game that people were looking forward to it was this one. Our friends from the Camrose Ground make a journey to give us a bit of a work out tomorrow night.

It has been a long time since they had Bruce Grobbelaar on their books but I am sure they will bring their fair share of talent to make it an interesting game.

Kick-off (as is tonight's AGM) is at 7.30pm.

Tanners 1 - 1 Carshalton

Another good outing for the Tanners in a game that was not quite as frantic as the Ringmer game but still competitive for a friendly. There were a few old faces. Dean Carpenter and Phil Ruggles turned out for the visitors. The latter, while not as bad as the Dave Steven return for Dulwich, failed to impress.

It was our new Eastenders hitman that continues to impress with his movement and hard work although he did not get a reward for his efforts. That said Leatherhead looked the better in the first half and after Sarge stung the 'keepers hands with a powerful shot we started to press for the breakthrough.

It came through Billy's pace drawing the keeper way off his line and as they came together outside the box the ball squirted in the air. It fell to a well placed Greenaway who slotted it into the net.


The second half saw Julien come one for Joe Sheerin and his pace and power was an instant hit with the Tanners faithful. While a new lad got a little carried away and was asked to be subbed by the ref.

Carshalton got a their equaliser after growing in the second half and the game ended to a hearty applause by both sets of supporters.

A fine days work and a good build up for the visit of Basingstoke on Tuesday night (kick off at 7.30).

Carshalton Are Coming

Our first friendly at the home and a chance to see the bar in all its glory if the pospect of seeing the true identity of Zorro and friends wasn't enough. You will also be able to see ex-Tanner Phil Ruggles strut our his new club and who knows, MCS could be having trials with yet another club...

Reduced entry prices for friendlies to boot! Kick off at 3pm. See you there!

Uxbridge 0 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead grab a win against a physical Uxbridge thanks to quick thinking from Sarge and Thommo.

It was an impressive display by the Tanners against higher placed opposition to get their first win of the pre-season campaign. Zorro in particular stood out as being quite the replacement for Stevens or MCS.

But it was from two old faces that got us the win. Sarge, who continues to look in his best form yet, took a quick free kick for Thommo to run on to and slot away. No signs of the strain that left him on the bench on Saturday.


Carshalton make a visit to the Grove Saturday!

U-18s Youth - update...

...can be found on the Official site under 'Tanners News' section.

Ringmer 3 - 3 Tanners

The day started well. A fine display of pork produce combined with the classic eggs and chips. Wonderful stuff. Then to the football to a rather tasty encounter that entertained throughout. For the football purist it was set up nicely, 442 all round with Ringmer boasting a pacey striker that caused mayhem when chasing a long ball.

They took the lead. A bit of early campaign confusion saw our new keeper in no mans land and a well placed lob beat him ends up.

Leatherhead gave it a good go. Zorro (formerly known as Mr X) looking a bit like Mikael Forssell upfront was having a go from all angles with Benno looking in good attacking form again. The middle pairing of Bolger and Holmes looked solid while allowing the latter to show some creative flair. If one player stood out though it was Sarge. 90 minutes of running and looked good on the ball.

We got our reward. Zorro danced his way through and took his chance. 1-1. Moments later Sheerin made up for missing a header from a yard out to do the same. 2-1.

The second half started with two new strikers...errrr... The Flash and The Caped Crusader, the latter taking no time to announce his arrival by running through on goal and finishing cleverly with the outside of his boot.

Ringmer were not to be outdone and bounced back with two well crafted goals and could have won it when the ref awarded a penalty. Our new man between the sticks smothered the weak effort and the game finished all square.

On to Uxbridge...

Travelling Tanners

This is what the summer is all about. Jaunts to far flung new seaside-ish grounds and tomorrow is no exception with a trip into deep Sussex. I have even found a pub for Dickie to have a drink in!

I'll be making the trip, hoping to catch a glimpse of Zoro upfront... who was that masked man?

Directions

Tavelling from the west (i.e. via Chichester) by road, use the A27 to Lewes until the Southerham roundabout, here take the 1st exit onto the A 26 and enter Lewes via the Cufail Tunnel. On exiting the tunnel take the second exit at the snail roundabout, follow this road up Malling hill until reaching a Fork junction, turn right here onto the B2192 to Ringmer.

Turn right into Springett Avenue (opposite Village Green).

Then take the first left into Anchor Field and the ground is on the right.

Pub Guide

After the name calling on the message board I am going to recommend The Cock. It does food to boot!

Arundel 0 - 0 Tanners

The last time we met in a friendly a dodgy back pass that bobbled under Tommy Dunn and an unseen punch of the ball on the line was the difference between the two sides. This time round there was no such incident.

That said the game was played in a competitive spirit with a mix of new players, youth team and Tanner stalwarts . Mr X had a good game up front and, by all accounts, Joe Sheerin looked sharp.

On to Ringmer...

Tough Start

The Tanners will have to hit the ground running with a tough start to the 2007 / 2008 season. The talking point is the return of Dave Stevens. He doesn't have to wait long to try and prove us wrong as Met Police come to the Grove on the opening game season.

Then there are two tough away fixtures to deal with...

August's fixtures are;
18th - Met Police - home
21st - Sittingbourne - away
25th - Dover - away
27the Walton & Hersham - home

Travelling Tanners

This Saturday see us travel down to picturesque Arundel for our first friendly of the season. It will be a chance to see some new players and have a cracking lunch in the pub by the river (weather permitting).


Directions and MAP

Travelling down on the A24 take the A27 away from Worthing. On approaching Arundel, proceed over railway bridge (station on left) to roundabout. Take the 2nd exit into Queen Street towards the town. Turn right over the bridge.
Pay & Display car park leading to the ground is 100 yards on the right.

Pub Guide

After much debate we have gone for the nicest pub by the river. It is called the Black Rabbit and on the map above can be found on Mill Road right at the top of the map where the road meets the river bend. It has been chosen as the weather is forecast to be good and this will be a nice spot to have lunch prior to the game.

Like a billiard table

Whilst most of the attention during the close season has been on the bar upgrade, just wanted to acknowledge the hard work that's been happening with the pitch.

Which is looking really good.

Nice one, Dave!

Bar upgrade - final report

Can be found on the official site:

http://www.leatherheadfc-online.co.uk/4698.html