Walton 2 – 1 Tanners

After winning last weekend with only 10 men, Leatherhead get a taste of their own medicine as they lose to the 10 men of Walton.

Leatherhead will have to look at the game today again as a missed opportunity as they had much of the game restricting the home side to only two real chances. Leatherhead were undone by the same old diagonal ball to the right back position which was not cut out. The ‘keeper being beaten near post too which was disappointing.

Leatherhead struck back by winning a freekick with the resulting delivery being too good for the home defence with Billy Marshall claiming the last touch.

Leatherhead were not battering the home ‘keeper with shots but they were getting the ball wide to their two front men in Gibbs and Marshall with the final ball lacking (plus maybe some support in the middle).

The ref throughout the game was keen on the new whistle his wife had given him for Christmas. He then decided the only way to go was to issue yellow cards and in the end a Walton player saw two yellows for nthing much and gave the visitors the advantage.

It was not to be though as a freekick, already in a dangerous position, was deflected into an even more dangerous position by a stray Leatherhead boot. Two one down.

Shortly after the referee blew up much to the surprise of the travelling fans who had expected some time to be added on. For one Walton had every player that took a knock go down holding his head to get the ref to stop play. Plus with a sending off and a goal you would expect time added on but he blew up on the stroke of 45. Actually it was difficult to tell if it was on time as he only allowed 10 minutes for half time. Perhaps he had a wedding to go to…

On to Cray for a 5.45pm kick-off no doubt…

Travelling Tanners

So. The sale shopping is out the way and I have just seen off the rest of the turkey with by turning it into a curry. Time to get back down and focus on this nice little unbeaten run we have carved ourselves.

For our old friends, who have returned to our league, they have had a mixed bag of results themselves so tomorrow should be an interesting encounter. More early starts to boot as it is a 1pm KO. See you there (depending on turkey food poisoning)

Directions

From the A3, leave at the junction with the A245 and head towards Woking. At the traffic lights, proceed as above.

From the North A244: over Walton Bridge and stay in the middle lane at the traffic lights and along New Zealand Avenue. At the next set of lights stay in the left hand lane and swing round to the right and go straight on. Stompond Lane is on the right approximately half a mile. Look out for the Tennis courts and the "Dome" in the winter.

From Esher, down Lammas Lane then Esher Road, straight over 1st roundabout, 4th exit at next roundabout (West Grove) 2nd left at end of Hersham Road and Stompond Lane, half a mile on left. Ten minute walk from Walton-On-Thames. Bus 218 passes ground.

Tanners 0 – 0 Ks

Like a new batch of bubble and squeak this game rarely got out of simmer in front of a big crowd. The game was not helped by a heavy pitch but it was fought out in good spirit.

Ks had Leatherhead under the cosh for the majority of the game and looked most likely to score but a home side with new found belief and fluency held on for a point.

Another difficult tie is on the horizon like this mornings low sun. A trip to Walton & Hersham for the 1.30 kick off.

The Ks Are Coming

Crikey Charlie I have been caught off guard with this one, I meant to do this last night but festive cheer took over and I have only just got up!

Anyway. Kingstonian are coming in the big Boxing Day fixture of the league. Local rivals with ex-players scattered around and a sudden change in fortunes too boot. Should be a Christmas cracker!

Kick off at 11am!! If you are reading this you had better hurry!

Happy Christmas One And All!

Happy Christmas to all you Tanners and whoever stumbles across this site from all of us here at The Lip!

See you all soon!

Met Police 2 – 3 Tanners

There was a lot to play for today and the importance of the game seemed to grow ever minute as the names of ex-players were read out while an ex-management team watched from the side lines.

Leatherhead are finally in a position where the team that finishes one game can start the next and after two promising training sessions Hazel was confident of a win. Such has been the improvement this view was shared by a large travelling contingent.

If there were any doubters these were initially put to rest after just 12 minutes when we raced to a 3-0 lead. Gibbs pouncing on a rebound after just two, then Glen Boosey ran onto a through ball to calmly take it round the ‘keeper for two nil.

Leatherhead then had a corner just three minutes later. Some home supporters eagerly waved money at ex-Tanner Greenaway. He would have been wise to have rushed towards it as he might have stood a chance of tracking Boosey’s run who headed home for three nil.

Met Police appeared to have no answer until Castrechino blocked a goal bound shot with his arm conceding a penalty and seeing the red card. The penalty was calmly slotted away to a deafening Met Police roar and now we face the majority of the game with 10 men.

Leatherhead were up for the task showing a fighting spirit not seen in years. Boosey for one shone in midfield. I once saw Le Tissier play for Eastleigh when he first stepped down and he showed a similar swagger making their midfield look stupid as he glided past them.

Although in the second half they got one back from a corner and pushed on for the third they needed the referees assistant to get involved and get the ball back to them quickly to mount any real pressure.

Jingle Bells… Jingle Bells… jingle all the way… oh what fun it is to see the Tanners win away… (and for them to come over and receive their much deserved applause!)

So, the K’s arrive to a side with a much different form than that of the one shown in the programme today...

Travelling Tanners

They were simpler times back then. Back at the start of the season when on the stroke of 4.45 Jamie Read struck for the opening goal of the season. Dave Stevens was choking on his hotdog as that flew in! Now is a chance of a double and prior to last weekend it would seem like an unlikely one until we brushed aside Sittingbourne.

Kick-off at a carbon busting 3pm. How do they sleep at night?

Directions

A3 then A309 to Scilly Isles roundabout, turn into Hampton Court Road, at 1st roundabout left into Ember Court Road, ground faces after 300 yards.

Pub Guide

They have a well stocked bar with food so why look anywhere else?

Tanners 3 – 0 Brickies

It is amazing what a few days make. A called off game away at Whyteleaf and a cup game to play together and a new Tanners side was born. When was the last time you saw a confident Tanners side play it out of defence, get the ball wide and then get the ball into the box for goal scoring chances?

Leatherhead started the game brightly and Sittingbourne must have been cursing their luck. They were turning up to a side that a bunch of drunks could give a good game up until today and they were being torn apart.

Billy Marshall was like a new signing today. Pouncing on a ball into the box and heading it near post past the stranded ‘keeper. Later Billy was wide left and wriggled past the defender to fire a cross into the box which found its way over the line in the confusion.

So, two nil up at half time and with the knowledge that we had lost leads before this season the next goal was important. Leatherhead continued to push to put the game out of reach. Billy received the ball inside the box and made enough room for himself to fire a shot from the right which beat the stretching ‘keeper.

It was all about Billy though. Holmes was back and orchestrated the midfield to allow Gibbs and Alfie to create the chances. Lyndval using his pace at the back to clear up. Things are looking up.

Three nil down all the visiting manager could do was sarcastically applaud the ref on every decision. I suggest he turns his attention to his side that lacked any real drive and a shadow of the team that tore strips of us down their right hand side back in September.

Onto the Police… first double of the season?

Sittingbourne Are Coming

If the doubts crept in about the “old regime” they started on the night we travelled to Sittingbourne. After riding our luck in the first half they made a change down the right and he ran riot while a motionless packed bench looked on.

Since then a lot has changed and a wave of optimism hits the club as we get a long awaited win. Some news players have come in to boot!

The game is sponsored by Bookham Colts U10C football team and kick off is at 3pm… see you there!

Leatherhead 2 – 1 Ash United (AET)

Without their main cheerleader, who has left for a more challenging club to spell out by all accounts, Ash United got a frosty reception tonight. Leatherhead were focussed on getting their first win in 90 minutes and had the new players to do it.

It looked to be a sure thing when a corner was glanced in by the lively Gibb (I think that is his name). He went on to twist and turn down either side and created some chances for the home side.

Leatherhead were not taking this game for granted and showed Ash the respect they deserved and pressed for a second goal. However, the ref failed to see a foul on the edge of the box and the unfairly won ball was struck perfectly over our ‘keeper to set up toe freezing extra time.

No amount of pleading could get the tea bar to reopen to provide the fuel to see us potentially through to penalties but luckily their ‘keeper decided he had had enough and punched the ball into his own net from a deep free kick.

Rapture for the home fans but that elusive regulation time win still remains at bay. Oh Sittingbourne, get ready for destiny…

Ash United Are Coming

A S H Ash United… I said Ash United, Ash United, Ash United, Ash United Ash Youuuuunited… are coming tonight in the Surrey Senior Cup.

See you there at 7.45pm

WHYTELEAFE GAME OFF

Waterlogged pitch, more rain expected.

Get the Christmas shopping done instead. No excuse now.

Pitch Inspection

Leatherhead could avoid defeat today after Whyteleaf annouce a pitch inspection at 11.30. Out new striker is doing the damage... playing Rain upfront is a tactic that is paying off nicely!

Look at the messageboard for updates.

Tanners 1 – 2 Dulwich

Leatherhead are finding it tough going at the moment and what they really need is a good start to a game. Sadly some slapstick defending saw that hope fly out of the window after just 38 seconds.

Leatherhead could have bounced back almost immediately when the ball bounced through to Captain Benno but his shot went wide.

Dulwich were a pretty quick side and a pass that travelled 30 to 40 yards diagonally across the pitch unchallenged to their number 9 there was only going to be one winner. His pace took him clear and he slotted it in near post.

Leatherhead again tried to get back into the game and looked to have done so when Murphy’s shot struck Rummery who turned and struck it home but the lino judged him to be offside.

The second half was a little like hard work as Dulwich tried to hold us at bay. The attack was there for Leatherhead but it did not look quite as threatening as theirs. They even looked to make it three as they scored form close range.

The same lino that ruled out our goal raised his flag but changed his mind when the ref gave it. Our management team went crazy and rightly so. The ref went over and the lino even re-enacted his flag wave and so the goal was disallowed.

Back Leatherhead came again with Billy Marshall looking dangerous. Turning in the box he was crudely brought down. He didn’t want to see anyone else take the penalty so ran to the spot. His spot kick, like last weeks, was initially saved but it bounced back out and he had the presence of mind to slot it in.

Three and a half minutes to go and we went for it. Probably the best passage of play of the game, pity it was limited to the last few moments of the game. No game midweek… some respite at least.