Tanners boss has high hopes for Stephens
By Simon Fitzjohn of The Local Guardian

Leatherhead boss Ian Hazel expects new assistant manager Mickey Stephens to have an instant impact at the club. Stephens stepped into the role after former assistant Stuart Massey departed to take over the reins at Whyteleafe.

And Tanners supremo Hazel has high hopes for his new partner.
He said: "Mickey was already at the club doing some coaching and scouting for us so it was quite an easy decision. "He had already said he wanted to play a bigger part in the club and get more involved so when Stuart left he was an obvious choice.

"Mickey has a lot to offer, he played for England at semi-professional level and he brings a lot to the table. "I am sure that experience will help us."

Hazel is yet to start his summer recruitment drive as the Tanners look to improve on a disappointing season in the Ryman South last time out. But he is well aware of the improvements required.

He added: "I am looking to sign three or four players before pre-season starts.
"To be honest we need players right across the board. I'm not really worried about age, they just need to be good players."

One thing Hazel can look forward to is the burgeoning talents of youngsters Tom Hutchings and Matt Jones. The pair were part of Leatherhead's league and cup double-winning youth team and were recently given two-year contracts.
And Hazel is convinced that Hutchings, who scored in Leatherhead's final game 8-1 demolition of Tonbridge Angels, a win that secured an unlikely youth league triumph, has got what it takes.

Hazel added: "As long as he listens and takes advice he can go a long way. He is a confident player and he plays with a little bit of a swagger. There is no doubt he can progress."

Letherhead Youth 8 - 1 Tonbridge Angels

The double is theirs! The task at hand was clear, they had to win by seven clear goals. A 7-0 win may not have been enough though as that would put both sides on identical goals scored, conceded AND the same 2-1 home wins... it was difficult to separate us!

Tonbridge though were struggling to get a side together and Leatherhead capitalised smashing eight past the visitors to win the double.

Well done lads!

Magnificent Seven Needed!

If the Youth team are to have any chance of winning the double then they are going to have to put seven goals past Tonbridge this Saturday after they lose at Croydon Athletic last night.

The away side lost 2-1 while Staines extended their advantage by beating Worthing 6-2 to make it a more comfortable goal difference. Fear not though, this side has notched up a 8-0 win this season already...

Kick-off at the Grove is Saturday 3pm...

Levred Yoof

Tonight see the Tanners Youth travel to Croydon Athletic for their penultimate game of the season. It is an early one too with kick-off at 7pm.

It will a tense night for the team and all associated with the Youth as Staines, level on points, play their last game against Worthing.

The result there will could hand us the trophy there or for a big climax for the last game which will be played at the Grove Saturday.

Getting Friendly

The Official Site announces the pre-season friendlies. Sadly no new ground for me (although I am in Brasil for four weeks starting 18 July..) but a fine array all the same!

Saturday 19 July - Three Bridges - Away
Saturday 26 July - Bookham - Away
Tuesday 29 July - Wealdstone - Home
Saturday 2 August - Raynes Park Vale - Away
Monday 4 August - Hampton & Richmond - Home
Wednesday 6 August - Carshalton - Home
Saturday 9 August - Oxford City - Home

Levred Yoof

The Youth Team could go a long way to securing the league title with a win tonight against midtable Worthing. By my reckoning the high flying team need seven points from their last four games to ensure the double comes to the Grove.

Kick off at 7.30pm...

Levred Yoof 2 - 1 Boreham Wood
(Courtesy of Lol)

Lovely afternoon of football with not a yellow card in sight. These young Tanners are a credit to their managers and the club, not to mention their families and friends who were out in force - there were just shy of 300 at the Grove. That must have included a few from Boreham Wood ... but not many judging from the roars when the Tanners scored twice during the second half.

The first followed a terrific challenge by Tommy Williams on the half way line, which in one move freed up Steve B (on for Darryl CS) who rounded the keeper and scored into an empty net. The second followed a free kick which Tommy Hutch converted after the keeper spilled the ball.. Just after going 2-0 up, there was a clash of heads which sidelined central defender Sash and the visitors took advantage. A whipped cross from the left was met by the tiny number 10 who headed in un challenged for once. This made for a slightly tense last 15 mins or so, but you just didnt get the impression the Tanners would let this slip.

So, silverware at long last for the club!

The Final

Boreham Wood's Youth come to the Grove to battle out the league cup final. Leatherhead Youth have the chance to win the double after a successful year which has kept the majority of Tanner fans sane.

Kick off at 3pm...

Ryman Round up

Leatherhead will be spared a trip to the bogey ground of Tooting as they edge out Cray who suffer play-off disappointment yet again. Meanwhile in the Ryman Premier, it will be AFC Wimbledon who edge up the pyramid with a 2-1 win over MCS' Staines.

Canvey Island won promotion away at Redbridge but only after penalties.