Tanners 1 – 3 Ashford

If Ian Hazel lay awake last night in his new Leatherhead pyjamas, excitedly picturing how today would go this was one scenario he would not have hoped for. It was a tense display with talk of who was going here and who was coming here.

Ashford on the other hand played solidly and took their chances well. They are a niggly side, subtly kicking the ball away and delaying free kicks at every opportunity but when the ball flashed across goal the chance was buried.

Their second came through a penalty when Lyndval lunged from behind to stop the advancing striker. While the Tanners argued it was outside the box the ref brandished a yellow instead of a feared red. We weren’t so lucky with the penalty with Macca guessing the right way but could not keep it out..

Ian Hazel wanted to get his point across and kept them in the dressing room for a couple of minutes before the second half. He also rung timely changes with Benno and Jesus coming on. It looked to have worked as Billy Marshall wriggled free down the left and set up Scott Forrester.

Then a turning point with the ball running out for a throw in the lino raised his flag for offside. Billy Marshall took exception to this and voiced his disgust in no uncertain terms. The ref called him over and issued a straight red. I am not defending his actions but when their no 6 got a yellow for swearing at the ref it didn’t quite add up. Are we really at the stage when the ref can say “it is not what you said but the way you said it”. If so the players had better go to marriage counselling to prevent future dismissals.

Leatherhead continued to battle but could not match Ashford and they got a third to round of a miserable day. These are uncertain times for the players so getting things settled will be high on the agenda no doubt.

So when Ian puts his green pyjamas he will have a lot to think about but I just hope the clun wont have to provide Leatherhead bed socks to prevent him from getting cold feet…

Ashford (the one from Kent) Are Coming

Ian Hazel makes his Leatherhead managerial debut today as the Tanners hope to embark on a bright new future. Last weekend’s good display and 3-0 score line will hopefully just be the starter to today’s main course.

It is difficult to say how this game could go. We have had a couple of players jump ship (footballing obituaries to follow next week) with one coming on board to help us push back up the table. It is going to be interesting stuff…

Ashford Town on the other hand are a different side to the one we are used to. Sitting in a respectable mid table position we can expect them to come and try and win the game where in the past I have felt only a point was on the agenda.

Kick-off at 3pm… see you there!

Tanners Youth 2 – 0 Tooting & Mitcham Youth

For all the tales of big scores, the eight goals here the six goals there meant little tonight as the home side played their cocky stroppy visitors off the park tonight. The opening ten minutes showed that in places they were quicker and more skilful but as the game wore on Leatherhead’s Youth Team did not give them a look in.

The signs were there that this could be our day. Within the first few minutes a breakaway down the left saw our no 10 (I do know the names but not sure if I can name them for legal reasons. Sorry.) through on goal. Still out wide so had a lot to do but his shot narrowly flew over the cross bar.

Reality did then smack us in the face when they were presented with an open goal as the ball landed kindly to their striker in the box. The powerful shot going wide.

But almost at the same time Martin Jol decided to finish his career so did the Tooting & Mitcham ‘keeper as he went on to have a stinker. Our 10 again found space and fired his shot almost directly at the ‘keeper. He the tried to kick the ball in an uncomfortable fashion, the type of straight legged foot high kick my son would make at a moving ball. It bounced over the hapless boot and into the back of the net.

It was a shame as up until that point he had had a blinder, pulling off a fine save from a freekick and a reflex save from a free flowing move down the right.

It was down the right the second goal came and again the ‘keeper could have down better but the shot went under him as he stayed on his feet too long. 2-0 now against the favourites… could this be the First Round Proper again?

Get the Sky cameras ready! We saw out a bad tempered second half with what few chances there were going to Leatherhead. Some of the visitors were lucky to have gone unpunished with the car park seeing more of the ball than our ‘keeper through their frustration.

Those who came saw an entertaining game and will no doubt look forward to the next round where Wycombe Wanderers arrive. Well done fellas!

Leatherhead Youth - The Big One

Through some gloom of losing to Corinthian Casuals etc there was a beacon of hope. Something to lift the spirits of even the most hardened of moaner. The Youth Team. Tomorrow night they play in the FA Youth Cup Final Qualifying Round, for the right to host Wycombe Wanderers in the First Round Proper.

It is going to be like Sudbury revisited... albeit without 90 minute drive, the 100 or so travelling glory hunters or the chance to dance and sing around an away bar while we rub their noses in it. What is more it is only just 3 quid to get in!

Even I am looking odds on to get a pass for this one! Get the tap running and those bags of ice ready!

Tanners 3 - 0 Arlesey Town

This game could have gone either way today. We would either play with shell shock and get soundly beaten or give Arlesey a thrashing. Luckily for the loyal Tanners who turned up it was the latter.

Leatherhead played with a new found freedom today as they notched their biggest win since February. Holmes, who along with Greenaway, was outstanding in the middle and found his scoring boots again with another long range effort.

Forrester too was in on the action using a clever step over to allow the ball to run across goal to allow Henders to smash home from close range. Scott is clearly a man on a mission and wants to score goals. There were a couple of occasions where those behind the goal thought a pass was the better option but who was going to tell him… I mean there were kids present!

That said when a real chance came his way in the second half he latched onto it and although the ‘keeper got a hand to it but it was too powerful and rolled in.

Then a true breath of fresh air. Julien Thompson was allowed a run and scored but was harshly ruled offside but just that small glimpse showed why he should have been given a bigger part to play when goals were needed.

Draw for the next round made Monday!

Arlesey Town Are Coming

Today sees us play the First Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy without our manager. In a strange twist of fate I seem to remember it was this fixture six years ago that saw Chick Botley resign and leave Alex Inglethorpe in sole charge. Either way it was certainly this time of year as I was match day sponsor for my birthday.

Anyway, we welcome Arlesey Town today in a competition that we love to hate. Last season was the first win since I started watching the Tanners. I hope the hoodoo is truly broken!

Kick off at 3pm... see you there!

David Harlow resigns as Manager

Please see official Leatherhead FC website:

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

Travelling Tanners

This was one of the games I wanted to make but at kick off I will just pulling in to Heathrow Airport, you lucky beggars! Don’t forget that the kick off is at 1pm so by the time you read this you had better get your skates on!

After a week of protracting, contracting and a little detracting the Tanners will need three points today to keep their lofty perch on the table.

Pub Guide

I was asked to find a pub so I have given it a quick look and reckon this is a goer. It is in the High Street so at least if I am wrong there could be another option. Try the Ship Centurion Arminius

Directions (again, from their site)

• Approach East Kent on the M2
• Continue to the end of the motorway at Faversham
• Proceed onto the A299 Thanet Way. (signposted "Margate" and "Ramsgate")
• Continue on the A299 for approx 6 miles (passing Seasalter Marshes on your left)
• Take the Whitstable turn off.
• Continue until you reach the Long Reach roundabout. (Long Reach)
• Turn left at the second roundabout (Tesco)
• Descend Millstrood Hill
• After passing the cemetary on your right, turn left into Grimshill Road.
• The entrance to the Belmont ground is on the right.

Eastbourne Town 0 – 1 Tanners

First of all I would like to comment on our hosts today and what a nice set up they have there. Only a fiver to get in and a warm friendly greeting. The neighbouring hockey club even laid on spaghetti bolognaise for £2.50 while I watched the rugby. Great stuff.

Now, on to the game. The first half was a fine effort by the visitors, forcing our hosts into a catalogue of errors with the ‘keeper especially choosing for short passes to defenders being closely marked.

We didn’t have to wait long before we got our goal when a corner was flicked on by a defender straight to the in form Greenaway who fired it into the roof of the net from six yards.

More chances came but the highlight was the officials in the first half. The fun started when we had a freekick about 25 yards out. The referee stood and blew his whistle for us to take it while the wall was a good two yards outside the box. It looked so ridiculous I even rushed to get my camera to take a picture of it.

The referee finally saw sense and pulled them back, although his steps became obvious pigeon steps so it was only about 8 yards back. The kick was taken and it hit the hand of a defender protecting his face. Well according to the ref it did. I actually think he gave the penalty for encroaching and realised his mistake and made that up but that is just me. Overall the home side can feel hard done by the clowns out there today.

The confident inform striker Scott Forrester stepped up but the penalty spot was a little uneven and as he stepped back the ball rolled slightly to the left. I had the feeling that this may have a touch of Gary McAllisters about it and his powerful low shot went wide.

The keeper who had been hapless for much of the first half at best then pulled off one point blank save from a Forrester header and a diving save from a powerful drive to keep them in the game.

Watching the second half reminded me of an old Les Dawson joke when his wife asked “do you notice anything different?” “Err, new hair?”

“No”

“Oh, new dress?”

“No”

“What then?”

“I’m wearing a gas mask.”

The game turned ugly for the visitors as Eastbourne realised they were still in it and played with purpose and without the mistakes. Leatherhead on the other hand lost their shape and almost their collective purpose as one side looked to defend the lead while the other side looked to attack. Well that is the view of a humble Risk & Compliance Manager who only sees one Tanners game a month.

Lyndval saved us at one end by heading off the line and Joe Sheerin, on for Scottie, blasted wide with a fine volley but it remained 1-0. Greenaway shone today and could have had another when the defence parted like the red sea and the fact he is back will give us real hope. Off to Kent for another game where 3 points will be anticipated.

Travelling Tanners

This is yet another game being played on a Saturday thanks to the eagle eyes of Gerald. Both clubs had a free Saturday due to the Trophy and this was due to be played on a Wednesday night. Thank goodness, or we would experience the kind of journey Steve Sargent makes every week!

The game itself should be a good one. The back of the net has been hit a few times and the confidence is coming back. It had better be a good game as it is the last game I will see for at least another couple of weeks.

Directions (from their site)

Take the main road into Eastbourne Town Centre along Upperton Road until you reach the small roundabout at the station. Take the second exit (right) along Grove Road.

Turn right at the end of Grove Road and proceed along Meads Road - the Saffrons is on your right. Take the second exit into Compton Park Road and the entrance to the Saffrons is on your right.

If you can see the Town Clock you are there.

Update Etc...

I am back for now so it is about time I put some words on here. I don't want this to become one of my programme columns (they are too funny apparently) but will try to sum up what is going on for no other reason than to provide something new on the front page!

Well. Since I've been away for the second and third leg we have had three wins on the bounce and will be looking to repeat that over the next few...

If anything the surge by Scott Forrester can give us something to look forward to after shooting past Greenaway's two goal haul to become our golden boot contender so far.


Next stop Eastbourne Town and the details will come tomorrow morning.