Terrors 1 - 4 Tanners

Hutchings helped by some good Manners

At the bottom of the table two clubs came together hoping to build on a recent change in fortunes.  Both had scored four goals in their previous game and with home advantage Tooting certainly fancied their chances but were unable to contain a striker in form and backed up by goals from midfield.

Tooting took the lead though but were soon pegged back by a goal from Manners.  Tommy then put us into the lead and the outlook started to look better from the travelling side.  Tooting were not helping matters, a defensive howler let in Manners for his second.

Tommy was at hand moments latter to slot in his second and notch up our second 4-1 win of the season.  While only 19th we have a game in hand on two of the sides above us within three points and our goal difference is beginning to be worth half a point...

Met Police Monday it is then...

Travelling Tanners

OK.  I'm late with this update but parking isn't an issue so I think I'll get away with it.  Today we're off to play in yet another 6 point down at the wrong end of the table.  Although come the end of the season I don't think it will be that close as if one team will regroup (and perhaps refund) it will be Tooting.

That may have already started. While we put 4 past struggling Horsham they put four past Carshalton in a 4-3 thriller to maintain their 3 point advantage over us.  Its going to be quite the battle today...

Directions can be found here.  Kick off at 3pm.  Good luck fellas!

Horsham 1 - 4 Tanners

At the bottom of the table the whippees became the whippers as Leatherhead strolled out 4-1 winners against a struggling Horsham.

Leatherhead could boast some new players, notably Jack Pallen from Dartford up front with Greg on the bench.  He could put himself about a bit and trouble a Horsham defence that can fall apart at the merest pull of a thread... and Tommy was pulling nearly all the threads today.

It was from him burst into the box and tempting cross that the 'keeper flapped at and Kev Terry headed home for us to take the lead.  The lead was short lived though.  The ball seemed to get stuck in our area in a rare Horsham attack and a stuck out foot powered the ball into the back of the net.

Leatherhead only took a couple of minutes to respond themselves.  A powerful low cross and Tommy shaped to flick it on but ducked under it.  This deceived the defence and the ball was allowed to drop to Vernon's foot and in it went.  Tommy later volleyed to draw an amazing save from their 'keeper.

Leatherhead were growing in confidence and it seemed the job was done when Billy Manners strolled into the box and shot into the bottom left corner with the keeper opting to dive the other way.

While Horsham did come out with some spirit Tommy had more than enough.  Twice more he was through on goal with his favourite left foot primed only to be thwarted by the keeper. It was fourth unlucky for the man between the sticks though when Tommy was put through the middle to get what he deserved.

New boy Jack was subbed and did enough to get an applause from the travelling faith and so the game drew to a close with Leatherhead climbing to 19th...

Travelling Tanners

I've flirted with the fact we have a game today but lets just out it out there.  We're off to Horsham!  It could have been worse.  Horsham were once ground sharing with Worthing so could have been quite a trip for us now but now we are back with the A24 derby.

I used to work in Horsham and so if I enjoy online banter with any club it is this one.  What is more it is rare that we face a side below us in the table so I am really looking forward to this game.

Parking appears to be an issue.  It was always trouble for the YMCA if you got there after 2.30 and with a bigger fan base Horsham are stating it is for Season Tickets only.  A guide of where else to park can be found here.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Happy Christmas!

The carrot and mince pie is by the mantelpiece so all that remains to be said is Happy Christmas to all you Tanners where ever you may find yourself around the world.

Have a good day then brace yourself for the big one... its Horsham away Boxing Day!

Boxing Day

 

A Christmas Cracker of an article in the Your Local Guardian this week featuring a preview of the big match on Boxing Day, which is away to Horsham.

 

A six pointer, irons in fire and a ding dong match.  They're all there!

Tanners 1 - 1 Wealdstone

For much of this game I am sure I was not alone in wondering why those at the club made so much effort to get the game played.  The second half in particular was hard work with Wealdstone keeping us at bay comfortably.

It did not start out that way though.  Tommy Hutchings' left foot shot crashed against the bar and his powerful follow up went straight to the keeper in the opening minute.  Four minutes later we were one nil down as a cross driven low and hard across the face of the goal was turned in as the central defence seemed caught out.

Wealdstone then added to our frustration by completing 80 minutes of time wasting.  The ref too did not make Dickie's birthday feel any happier when in the first half he brandished the yellow card four time to Leatherhead players while a quiet word was all that was needed for the visitors.

Then in the last few minutes the introduction of some pace worried Wealdstone and we grew in confidence.  A low cross through the area found Tommy whose shot found the back of the net this time.  On came Leatherhead with Kev Terry hitting the bar and a move similar to the one that opened the scoring at K's nearly paid off again with Vernon just failing with the telling touch.

A valuable point.  Enjoy your turkey and see you at Horsham...

(PS No, I don't know you ruddy Swanny76 is!)

11am pitch inspection

The Wealdstone site indicates an 11am pitch inspection.

The frost was light but here comes the drizzle.

Pop back in a couple of hours for an update.

Wealdstone are coming?

I'll keep this short as tomorrow's game sits very much in the balance.  I could forking all night to save this one ready for the 6am inspection.

The snow and rain have not come in the biblical amounts forecast Tuesday but it has been steady.

Keep an eye on the messageboard for updates...

Game off

 

Last nights downpour has left the pitch waterlogged and with worse weather forecast for tonight the game against Wingate & Finchley has been postponed.

 

Keep an eye out on the message board for yet another update on rearranged fixtures.

K's 0 - 3 Tanners

A home fan confidently declared he had the smell of goals in his nostrils to his friend as I walked past.  How right he was.  18.75% of our tally this season to be precise.

Leatherhead had to do more of their fair share of defending with K's having most of the ball (until the third goal anyway) but Leatherhead could break.  The warning signs were there when Greg volleyed wide when put in from a lofted ball (he was also offside).  On 16 minutes however Vernon was not offside as another lofted ball found his boot to chip a stranded 'keeper.

Kingstonian went for the equaliser and it was all out pressure until a clearance found Tommy alone on the half way line.  There were plenty of defenders to cope with this but they kept backing off until he was in range and his powerful shot beat the 'keeper on the stroke of 45 minutes.

K's started the second half confidently after probably getting a right telling off from the manager who walked off with a face like thunder.  Leatherhead really needed a third goal and for once we got it.  A sweeping move from Macleod down the left found Vernon in heaps of space in the middle of the area.  His powerful shot down the centre of the goal beat the 'keeper who guessed incorrectly and dived off much to his embarrassment.

A crushing defeat for the local rivals and an early tweet tells me our visitors Tuesday receive this result with more than just a raised eyebrow... batten down the hatches... its Wingate & Finchley and its going to be blowing a gale...

Travelling Tanners

 

Quite a game in store this weekend at The Cherry Records Stadium this weekend with the visitors hoping to blow away the opposition.  If however you cannot make AFC Wimbledon v Accrington Stanely then you can watch us take on Kingstonian on the Sunday too.

 

Despite some changes being made, Wednesday's 3-0 defeat could not have done much for the confidence and now we have to face our local rivals away.  They sit in 10th but there is hope at they have a negative goal difference as they have conceded 36 goals this season, 10 more than us.  We've only scored 13 though...

 

Directions can be found here.  Kick off at 3pm (on Sunday).  See you there.

Maidstone 3 - 0 Tanners

Leatherhead were given a lesson in football tonight by Maidstone. They scored twice in the first half and made it safe in the second.

Just 6 minutes it took for the writing to be on the wall. I have no news on what team we put out but with no goals the worries continue.

K's away anyone?

Travelling Tanners

 

Sorry for the delay.  You know what is happening anyway.  We are off to play in the next round of the League Cup against Maidstone and to do that we find ourselves travelling back to Sittingbourne and those ruddy bollards.

 

Maidstone are sitting nicely in the play-off places in our old league and have scored 34 goals on the way.  Meanwhile Leatherhead struggle in front of goal and will hopefully use tonight as a chance to get going without the pressure of the league hanging over them.

 

Directions can be found here.  Kick off at 7.45.  Good luck fellas.

Tanners 0 - 1 AFC Tuskchapel

Leatherhead suffer the late sucker punch again in a 1-0 defeat where we had shown some late signs of adventure.

After spending most of the first half in our half we came out with some purpose in the second.

Chances came and went but at the death the visitors remembered their scoring touch and knocked in the winner.

Is it me or is this season actually getting longer?

AFC Hornchurch are coming

 

If the game against Lewes was a bit of a test, what with them being 6th place, it steps up even more with the visit of AFC Hornchurch.  I don't recall hosting this club in recent years so a chance to see some new high flying opposition.

 

We've been a bit goal shy lately so hopefully tomorrow we can get back to goal scoring ways.

 

Kick off at 3pm.  Good luck fellas.

Dorking 2 - 4 Tanners

As predicted on the message board Dorking applied themselves well tonight giving us a scare or two along the way. 

I am not sure how Brady will feel about tonight's performance.  Careless at the back to allow them to score and at times wasteful up front.  To prove the point their opener came on 9 minutes when there was a bit of a mix up between keeper and defender allowed Smith to strike a fine low shot into bottom left corner.

Leatherhead did respond well with Andrews scoring with Tommy adding to the tally to take the lead on 25 minutes.  Dorking coming close somewhere in middle of our two goals themselves.

Hutchings scored a third on the stroke of half time and that gave us perhaps too much confidence in the second half as we became a little too wasteful against a purposeful Dorking.  On 60 minutes it sounds like Chico created some classic magic to concede a penalty and set the nerves jangling.

Ryan Thomas came on and exploited his pace to get us the forth on 88 minutes and put the game to bed.  On to the next round then...

Travelling Tanners

 

Surrey Senior Cup action tonight and a trip to our most local of local rivals Dorking.  It has been a shame that the annual summer trophy has been placed on the back burner, especially considering the "mouthwatering" opposition we had lined up this July.  So tonight is a great chance to renew acquaintences in a more prestidious competition.

 

Should anyone not know how to get there you can find directions here.  Kick off is at 7.45.  Good luck fellas.

Tanners 0 - 1 Lewes

There was a certain amount of confidence in the Lewes display even before the game had started.  No sooner had they shaken hands they then went on to perform a dapper River Dance routine on the side line... then to further test the boundaries set by the ref they then joined a prolonged huddle.  Boundaries set then.  Lewes ruled the roost.

The game was a turgid affair though.  Little entertainment but certainly Lewes having the greater share of possession with Leatherhead having to soak up pressure and then give the ball away.  Perhaps our best chance of the first half was a short back pass that we picked up but with the ball at a tight angle we looked to pass and it was cut out and the chance gone.

Second half and the lack of entertainment made it look like it could transpire to be a 0-0 draw and a point.  The only thing to cheer about was Lewes' ability to cling to when they were a conference club and bring out their own electric sub board.  It shone like a little pretentious Christmas tree...

The sucker punch came when Coyle jumped to meet the ball but leaned on a striker outside the box.  The free kick found its target, top left, with Chico not getting enough on it to keep it out.

We did rally.  Perhaps a trip in the box?  No.  It ended 1-0 and another defeat.

Tanners 0-1 Lewes

River Dance. Christmas lights. Syrup climbing a rope.

Not a great game and a loss due to a well taken free kick. Report to follow...

Lewes Are Coming

 

Fifth place Lewes are coming to The Grove tomorrow to play, dare I say it, an improving Leatherhead.  Lewes are a friendly bunch who once lent us their away kit for a game we played at their place... and who can forget THAT game... three all and you mucked it up... or something like that.

 

Kick off is at 3pm.  See you there.

Fixture Updates

 

A couple of fixture updates from you (via the message board).

 

In the Fourth Round of the League Cup we have the joy of a midweek trip to Sittingbourne to play Maidstone.  Week commencing Mon 5th Dec.  Bollards.  That is all I have to say on that.

 

More pressingly however is the next round of the Surrey Senior Cup.  The Tanners will travel to Dorking next Tuesday, 29th November.  Kick off 7.45pm.  This means that the League match against Concord Rangers will have to be re-arranged to a later date.

Tanners 3 - 1 Wingate & Finchley

Why oh why can't we do this in the league?  Perhaps you could argue the visitors were not up for it or were caught off guard as we raced to a two goal lead.

Kev Terry opening the scoring from 20 yards on three minutes with a 20 yard screamer.  While he enjoys his starting place in the team, Ryan Thomas is making it clear he wants than an unofficial pen picture on the message board.  He scored our second.

The visitors did not see this coming and were clearly rocked while Leatherhead held firm until they scored a third deep into the second half through Coyle.

A smart through ball and a fine finish for the visitors gave them something to cheer about but Leatherhead retain the Charity Shield.

Wingate & Finchley are coming...

 

Charity Shield action tonight.  Wingate & Finchley won the league cup last year were kicking their heels after Sutton didn't fancy it so Leatherhead stepped in as current holders.

 

A chance for some silverware?  You'd be a fool to miss it...

 

Kick off at 7.45.  Good luck Tanners

Robins 1 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead won the opening exchanges where Macleod forced a good save in the opening minutes.  The visitors won a penalty shortly after which Tommy calmly dispatched for his first league goal of the season.

From then on the game appeared to be a little stale.  The Robins snatching a goal before half time.

Little action until the last dying minutes when Leatherhead felt all three points were up for grabs.  Kev Terry had a chance cleared off the line as the game drew to a close for the points to be shared.

Off the bottom yes, but 6 points from safety...

Travelling Tanners

 

Leatherhead are on the road again in the league, we're off to play the Robins.  What a difference a few goals make.  Carshalton have scored a couple more and let in three less and they sit 12 points better off up the table.  That said we are now back to the bottom of the table having lost at the weekend and been in cup action on the Tuesday.

 

Directions can be found here.  Good luck fellas.

Tanners 2 - 0 Rocks

First piece of news that upset the visiting supporters was that Chico was rested to allow our No 2 (name escapes me so apologies) a go.  He and our left post performed admirably together as three times that combination kept the visitors out.

So much the same as Saturday but in reverse.  The visitors creating some clear cut chances only to put in a poor back pass for Macleod to run onto and slot it home in the last few minutes of the first half.

Early in the second half Elliot Thompson scored a great solo effort to ease the nerves as Bognor pushed hoping for their luck to change.

"Fake Chico Ramos" keeps a clean sheet and we progress to the next round.  Back to the league then...  away trip to Carshalton anyone?

Bognor Are Coming

 

League Cup action tonight and the visit of Bognor Regis Town in the third round.  Bognor will no doubt fancy their chances tonight as they sit proudly in third place in Division 1 South.  My review of twitter shows they are looking forward to catching up with Chico again too.

 

The League Cup is in a punchy format this year.  No overtime if its a draw.  Straight to penalties.

 

Kick off at 7.45.  Good luck Tanners.

Harrow 2 - 0 Tanners

A frustrating day for Leatherhead. We could have played until midnight and still not scored and on another day the score would have been 2-4 but is was not meant to be.

Harrow dominated the first quarter of the game and had several scoring chances, finally taking the lead in the middle of the first half. The goal came from a corner where our near post defender failed to clear, it fell to their Delgado (I always think of Southampton Tin Man when I hear that name) who impressed all game and gave Ramos no chance.

From then on Tanners picked up and created chances and were on top for virtually all the second half. However hard we tried though we couldn't get a goal.

On two occasions their keeper made top class saves from wickedly deflected shots that on another day could have found the back of the net.  When we beat the keeper there was a defender on the line.  Kev Terry did find the net but it was ruled offside after the 'keeper could only parry it into his path. Tommy hit a couple of scorchers not too far wide, headers went over from close range.  Not our day.

Then just as we thought our luck couldn't get any worse Harrow got their second near the end of the second half from a breakaway that had more than a suspicion of offside.

Oh well.  League cup action Tuesday to take our minds off of the league.  Again.

Travelling Tanners

After our first away win of the season we travel to Harrow looking to build on this while ignore a certain FA competition at the same time.  Harrow are nine points better off than us although they have conceded exactly the same number of goals.  21.  Fact.

Directions can be found here.  England play at Wembley at 5.15 so I am not anticipating too much disruption for our game.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Friday night football

My good friends over at Guildford City are trying something NEW and EXCITING.  Football on a Friday night.  What is more you get in half price with a Leatherhead Season ticket.  Crazy stuff but we just have to let them try it I guess...

Full details can be found here.

Hendon 1 - 2 Tanners

I have to say I was worried about this game.  So often a team that exhibit such heroics in a cup competition can crumble after they taste defeat but we were not disappointed today.

That said it was not plain sailing.  Early in the first half a Rob Hill hand ball gifted them a penalty to open their account.  A disappointing way to start you league campaign in earnest.

Leatherhead's response was absolute though and their local twitterer sensed the danger.  Leatherhead drew level through a spectacular Kev Terry 30 yard screamer of a volley.  Their 'keeper never stood a chance.  The poor 'keeper stood even less chance when a Simmo shot was deflected moments later to give us the lead.

From then on Tanners were firmly in control.  Hendon mustered some chances in second half but Leatherhead saw the game out for three valuable points that start making the league look a little different... we are two places off the bottom!

Travelling Tanners

 

What a strange weekend.  I can accept that the odd fixture needs to change and it makes perfect sense we play a game on a Sunday given Hendon ground share.  This turns out to be the day of my son's birthday and so I can't go.  Never mind, I'll go watch Guildford City... hold the phone... they are playing on Friday night at Colliers Wood.  The whole natural order of the footballing world is down the pan.

 

My ramblings aside there is a more technical preview on Hendon's fans site here and is well worth a look.  It doesn't have the same level of deliberate grammatical / spelling mistakes as my site so if you can put up with that polished look then give it a go.

 

Remember.  They ground share with Wembley so to see the game you need to travel with these directions.

Tanners 2 - 3 Sutton

The eleven goal thriller draws to a close with Sutton going on to host The Poppies in a little over a weeks time.  Leatherhead can bow out of the competition knowing they have done the fans proud.

On the train over to The Grove I had a sudden bout of confidence.  I could see us nicking this providing we could settle quickly.  Alas this was not to be as in the time it took me to walk from the bar to behind the goal we were one nil down.  A ball worked into the box was prodded home at close range.

Leatherhead's counter punch was well timed, just before half time.  Kev Terry made a lively dash into the box and was brought down by the keeper after tapping the tempting the ball away at the last second.  With contact made he went down and got the spot kick and a yellow card for the 'keeper.  Greg Andrews powered the spot kick home to silence the visitors and make the wonder how secure Doswell's guarantee of not giving away cheap goals was going to be.

The second half and Sutton were again looking dangerous at set pieces.  Building up play, drawing a foul or forcing a corner then whipping the ball on the box.  Leatherhead's possession was fleeting but would often result in a swift move up field.  That said Sutton's pressure appeared more telling and with 13 minutes to go again they scored from a set piece.  Chico got something on it and there was a desperate struggle to keep it off the line but over it went.

Surely at 2-1 the game was finally over.  Injury time was signalled and people started to drift out despite Leatherhead piling on their best pressure of the two games.  Then Tommy got his breakthrough.  Jack Macloed worked some space and found Tommy in the box who made no mistake with his left foot, nutmegging the hapless 'keeper in the process.  Extra time was on.

Leatherhead could now dream of going for the kill but as with the first half the opening 3 minutes did not go well.  Sutton got pretty much their 5th identical goal of the tie.  Size in the box making the telling difference.

Leatherhead dug deep.  Greg Andrew's hit the side netting to create a celebration in the bar area where they thought he had scored.  Liam Pestle had a couple of long range efforts well saved.  Finally the ref brought proceedings to a close and the dream was over.

A great run and something for the players to take into the league.  The club has done well financially and my message board has been blooming too.  May be next year though...

Levred 2 - 3 Sutton

A valiant effort but Leatherhead lose in extra time. Greg Andrews from the spot and Tommy in the last minute force extra time but early goals were the undoing of Leatherhead.

More to follow. Great effort though...

Sutton Are Coming

Tomorrow is a big day, and if you needed a reminder as to why it is so big here is a little snap shot of what we are playing for. A chance to play in the first round proper and host Kettering of the Blue Square Premier.

It isn't going to be easy. Sutton proved how deadly they can be from set pieces and have powerful strikers. It is almost fair to say if they even play at half throttle they would have too much for us. They could even be better than the side that beat Coventry.

Another thing I have gleaned from their message boards is how the tactics may change. Their fans are calling for a deeper formation, perhaps a 4-5-1 and try and pick us off on the break.

Kick off is at 7.45pm. At The Grove. See you there!

It's Kettering

SHOULD we overcome Sutton we will host Kettering.  The Poppies are in the Blue Square Premier.

All we need to do now is get past Sutton...

Sutton 3 - 3 Tanners

It is almost impossible to overstate how little respect Sutton have shown this little side and the FA Competition both today and in the build up to the game. A chance to play against some big time Charlies from Sheffield seemed to be taken for granted in a poorly attended game with Leatherhead creating much of the atmosphere. A glaring gap in their homework showed when they incorrectly named our manager and they were given a further crash course in how we can play today.

Our worst fear was that this would go the way of Godalming v Maidenhead. They lost 5-0, a score line the hosts are familiar with. The first ten minutes showed we could cope and that we had something to give but Sutton then did start getting more time on the ball. They were undone by a ball down the middle which found a centre back in possession, who was no doubt already thinking about his victory cigar along side Kelly Dalglish, and could not cope with the pressure from Tommy. He ran free one on one and calmly slotted it past their 'keeper.

Leatherhead's celebrations did not last long. A corner and Sutton size and presence was enough to create enough panic in the box for a telling touch to edge it past Chico.

We could be forgiven for thinking we had blown our chance but again Leatherhead came on the attack. Elliot finding space down the right wing beating the static defence and the keeper yet still having the composure to slot it home from a tight angle.

Sadly the celebrations were cut short again. The ref, who gave them almost anything he could, awarded a soft foul and from the free kick it appeared Chico came to collect but missed and it was fire in for a Sutton equaliser. Despite equalising Sutton looked a little shaken and were happy to see the half out as a draw.

Second half and if there was a hint of Chico to blame for the second we were left in no doubt when he came out to collect a ball outside the box but got left completely stranded as he was beaten to it and lobbed with ease. Now that they were winning a song could even be heard drifting up from the far end from the home supporters. Stirring stuff.

Sutton managed to hang on to their lead for 10 minutes. Kev Terry will go down in history as the man who can keep his head and score crucial goals in cup competitions. Taking the ball out on the left he cut inside while their defender turned like an oil tanker. Still some 20 yards out he shot, beating the keeper near post in style.

Wild celebrations followed and for the next ten minutes Sutton did try and get the winner using their power in the box but in the last five minutes their nerves seemed shot to pieces as it was Leatherhead who looked the most likely. The ref did show some bravery in blowing up for a back pass but forgot the basic law of allowing us to take it where the ball had been picked up by the 'keeper not where it was passed from. The free kick was blasted over from Andrews.

Leatherhead need to take their chance and two soft goals allows a replay. Sutton are a strong experienced side who will come to the Grove still as favourites but without a 20m exclusion zone around the pitch maybe... just maybe... the side we pick out the bag will need to start doing their homework about a little side called Leatherhead.

Travelling Tanners

 

So.  The big one.  There is not much Brady has to do to prepapre for this one.  All he needs to do is walk in to the dressing room, slap a few posts from their forum on the tactics board and shout "DO IT!".  It is going to be one hell of a tough task.  They have been scoring more goals than Man City recently.

 

I shall post a link to their site for how to get there.  Memories of the Surrey Senior Cup Final suggests get there early.

 

Good luck fellas and see you there!

Eye on Sutton

As we all know the best preparation for an FA Cup game is to lose by
two or three goals. Therefore eyebrows will be raised with the news
that Sutton have gone and won 5-0 against Salisbury tonight.

Will this poor preparation cone back to haunt them..?

Levred on Facebook

If you're into Social Media you can get now get your fix over at Facebook.  If you go over to here and "like" Leatherhead FC then a whole new world will open up to you.

If you're not into social media then you can like stick around here...

Cirencester 3 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead will come away from this game feeling a little hard done by.  Leatherhead never got to grips with the blustery conditions but when a comeback looked on the officials stepped in to make sure it was out of our grasp.

This was my first visit to the ground.  A welcoming club inside a plush bar but the game was played out in a rather soulless windswept "arena" with no terracing etc behind either goal and stands on the halfway line.

Leatherhead not only battled against the wind though but the officials.  A referee who blew for an offside while his puffing assistant plodded along with his flag down did little to encourage the travelling supporters.  Then there was no doubt it was not going to be our day when a shot at a tight angle appeared to be covered by Chico but somehow it bounced free and bobbled over the line.

The second half began and to our horror the lump of the assistant had swapped ends.  Meanwhile another clanger for Leatherhead to contend with.  A long bouncing ball was left by Pestle as he assumed it would go out for a goal kick but Cirencester's striker had other ideas.  He nipped round the usually solid right back and hit it first time, again at a tight angle, beating Chico cleanly this time.

Leatherhead goal came with no help from the chubby "yes man".  The defender clearly poked the ball passed Tommy for a corner but the lino froze waiting for his boss to make a decision.  The decision came and from the resulting long corner Tommy latched onto the ball put back into the box.  Leatherhead did manage to get the ball to feet in the area a number of times but a telling strike always seemed a fraction of a second too late as the Circester defence worked hard to smoother our attempts.

Then the game changed.  Their lively striker ran into the area and our defender stuck out an inviting knee for him to run into.  An invitation that was gratefully taken and the penalty drawn.  Up steps Chico who saved well but as the ball bounced clear another Cirencester player and Boulter came together in a 50 50 challenge and this time the other lino waved his flag.  Penalty number two was put away.

Not our day.  Get the bad luck out of the way for Saturday...

Travelling Tanners

 

Another long journey for us.  Not the longest but a cool 100 odd miles for an FA competition that often ends in tears with little in the way of excitement so let’s enjoy while we can.  We’re off to Cirencester.

 

If we can be encouraged by anything it is their opening line of their (excellent I have to say) pre-match preview of “The Tanners have had a similar start to the season as Cirencester Town”.

 

If you are making the journey you can find directions here.  Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Tanners 2 - 2 Wealdstone

Tanners win 4-3 on penalties

It was everthing the game was billed to be.  A lively affair with the prospect of penalties and it was Leatherhead who came out on top.

Kev Terry opened the scoring.  He is in a rich vein of form at the moment and his run from inside his own half turned the defence and he had the goal in his sites.  A shot from outside the box saw the keeper dive but the ball cruelly bobbled over him to take the lead.

It was all Leatherhead and we should have capitalised as experienced sides like Wealdstone can score from nothing... as they did to make it one all.  Macleod thought he had the perfect response moments later but his goal was ruled out for handball.

Greg restored the lead in the second half only for us to be pegged back again and yet again Leatherhead have to face last minute pressure with Dan Dean defending on the line to keep us in it.

Into penalties it went and Jolly missed his opening attempt for Wealdstone to make us believe it was going to be our day.  The fourth penalty from us was missed by Reeves only for Chico to save their last.  Up steps Jamie Coyle to assist the manager into yet another win.

On we go.

Wealdstone Are Coming

Sorry this is late.  Still getting over the FA Cup draw.

Tonight we face Wealdstone in the League Cup.  A side we have not played for a number of years.  The last time we played these fellas Stretch was a steward who, on seeing a minor pitch invasion after they scored the winning goal, ripped off the yellow bib and gave it to a 10 year old and went home.

Exciting news about tonight.  No mucking around with replays or even extra times.  Straight in with penalties should it be a draw after 90 minutes.

Kick off at 7.45 (and a telling) Good luck fellas!

FA Cup Draw

The reward for beating Billericay, current leaders of the Ryman Premier, is a trip to last years winners of the Ryman Premier... Sutton United.  A chance to relive the joy of the Surrey Senior cup final of late entry into the ground and no parking.  Thanks.

Game to be played a day after my birthday... 29 October.

'Ricay 0 - 3 Tanners

One word for the morning that greeted this FA tie.  Crisp.  A word that could equally be applied to our approach to this game.  Even the warm up looked lively and confident and that showed on the pitch.

For the second time Leatherhead start well against the Essex side and took the lead from a header.  This time it was Vernon who pounced on the corner for us to take the lead.  We continued to play well with no sign of a clanger from Chico.

Second half and we came out looking a little worried that it could slip away.  Inviting them on to attack.  They seemed camped in our half but in a rare venture into theirs Liam Pestle seemed to ghost his way into the box on the right.  Now their 'keeper was physically big enough to be a professional, but the fact he is still an amateur means he is likely to be rubbish.  Liam tried his luck and in it sailed to the far corner.  Two nil.  Could we dare dream.

Yes we could.  With 15 minutes to go a long corner to Boulter was headed back across goal for Vernon, who had his best game in green, thundered into the roof of the net.

'Ricay when winning at the start of the season were capable of frustrating us with feigning injury when clearing the ball etc.  All this composure deserted them as "OLE" football came out and we ran the clock down.

See you on the message board Monday for the draw.

Travelling Tanners

FA Cup time again and while we could be up against someone from the Conference North or South... Billericay away is a tough one but it certainly a challenge we are up for.  The fans have spoken, they want a bus (please refer to the messageboard if you're interested) and a win in the league should give the players a boost too.

Kick off is at 3pm.  We've been there before but you can refresh your memory on the directions here.

See you there!

Tanners 2 - 1 East Thurrock

Blimey Charlie.  What hard work that was but we come away with our first league win of the season.  Just.

On 8 minutes it all seemed so simple.  Kev Terry sprays the ball out to Greg, into Simmo who plays a through ball back for Greg to chase, a chip over the diving 'keeper. 1-0.  We used to do this every week last season.

10 minutes later Kev again goes wide to Greg who this time cuts out the middle man and goes for goal.  A shot that took a slight deflection but enough to leave the 'keeper stranded as it lobbed him perfectly.

So the game went on until about the half hour mark where I felt we lost our way a little.  East Thurrock were controlling the play until right at the death Greg stole the ball and was through clear on goal with only Kev Terry and the 'keeper to beat... he selflessly opted for Kev who tripped on it a little but still had time to retrieve the ball from behind him and shoot but the 'keeper managed to turn it away.  This glaring miss was to turn the game.

Leatherhead came out in the second half and were really not at the races at all.  East Thurrock had almost all of the posession with Leatherhead giving up the share searching for THAT dream pass through the middle that never came off.  The only saving grace it appeared East Thurrock seemed totally incapable of scoring.  But score they did from another cross into the box and a deft header and the pressure was back on.

Leatherhead made two subs.  Macleod and Johnson came on for Greg and Tommy who both went wide.  Then Drewett started playing wide.  It was becoming a 4-6-0 formation and in the end it was difficult to tell the difference between a Leatherhead and an East Thurrock corner we played so deep.

The ref's whistle came as a great relief.  The monkey is off our back and we can now look forward to the FA Cup trip.  Just.

East Thurrock Are Coming

I have a confession to make.  This game caught me out a bit as I glanced at an old programme instead of looking at the site but a game there is tonight and it is East Thurrock.

I am not even sure if there is a curry night on as no one has emailed me about it... what a shambles... hopefully the players can put in a better performance than me.

Kick off at 7.45!  See you there!

Bury 2 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead squander their chances to lose again. After dominating the opening minutes of both halves a lack of organisation at the back failed to deal with flicked on crosses and we were punished.

A penalty seemed to give us a lifeline when the ref saw some holding going on. Greg put it away.

A late charge could have seen us draw or even win but the chances were not taken.

Better though!

Travelling Tanners

Off on ANOTHER long distance trip and almost one of the longest of the season.  Fear not though.  When you get to Bury St Edmunds you will be directed by Britain's first internally illuminated street sign to guide you there... oh and some directions here.

This will be the new managements team first step out into the league and who knows what this may bring against a side that sit in a healthy 7th position.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Tanners 2 - 1 Biggleswade

Leatherhead make it through to the 3rd qualifying round as they beat Biggleswade tonight.  While geographically it would have been more handy for the visitors, on the balance of play it was a fair result that we proceed.

The new boss is breaking all the rules.  One, Kev Terry can start and like Seven Seas of Rye it sees out the album Queen I well and launches in to Queen II even better.  A lively performance that nearly saw him nick a low near post header off the boot of a defender.  Simmo too looks determined to get the team going, a goal bound shot well saved by the 'keeper.

The goal came shortly after their 'keeper landed awkwardly and seemed a little immobile.  A ball cleared from a corner landed on the edge of the box and Boulter fired it on the turn into the roof of the net.  The 'keeper could only help it on its way.

Second half and Leatherhead were in control yet a little nervous about protecting their slender lead. However, just when Greg looked to have lost interest in the game he found some room on the left and was back to his best.  A turn here and a beaten defender there he was one on one with the 'keeper and beat him near post.  Two nil and surely we had the game in the bag.

Elliot Thompson was running the show down the right and it was a cynical challenge that ended his participation as he was stretchered off.  This shook Leatherhead and conceding a penalty did little to calm the nerves as you could feel the confidence draining.  Chico guessed the right way but the penalty was too firmly struck and they were back in it.  We were back to our brittle best as they sensed extra time could be at hand.

It was a shame that Biggleswade then resorted to yelping and screaming looking for yellow cards every time there was minimal contact but as the ref was buying it it gained them possession and they piled on the pressure.  A ball was cleared off the line while we defended about 10 corners in the last 15 minutes.

The final whistle came with the sense of relief.  So Leatherhead win, a new look for us but with the pressure we had to absorb its a bit like the new iPhone... some new features but essentially still the same as before.  On to Bury Town though to put it to the test.

Biggleswade Are Coming

I doubt Biggleswade will be relishing this trip after taking a late lead at their place only to see Kev Terry pop up and snatch a late equaliser.  It was great to see Leatherhead respond so well after they stopped getting dragged in, allowing Simmo to play in the hole that created the telling pass.  Great stuff.

If you are making the long journey south you need look no further than the club house.  We've laid on a reasonably priced curry buffet for you!

Kick off at 7.45pm.  See you there!

3rd Qualifying Round Draw is...

... Billericay Town away!  Game to be played on 15 October... should we get through tomorrow night that is...

Tuesday night is curry night

From the club...

"As I hope you are aware we are having our second curry buffet for our FA Cup Replay on Tuesday. A great opportunity to join a big crowd to welcome our new management team and this follows our first very successful curry buffet last month.

The curry is provided from 6.30pm by our sponsors, Five Rivers Indian Restaurant, who will provide an excellent meal consisting of six separate dishes, for just £8. Food will be available on a first come first served basis. (It all went last time!)."

Biggleswade 1 - 1 Tanners

Tanners keep their FA Cup dream alive thanks to a late strike from Kev Terry after Biggleswade seemed to have nicked the win.

Biggleswade, complete with marching band, wanted to stamp their authority on this game early and for the opening 5 minutes a nervous Leatherhead seemed overwhelmed by the confident home team.  The quality that they must face certainly began to show as, unlike the sides we faced, they did little in the way of pressing us and slowly we grew into the game.

Soon it become a little one way with Leatherhead attacking freely but rarely really troubling the 'keeper.  The half closed with the visitors surely believing the next round was theirs.

The second half did not pan out that way though.  Leatherhead's performance seemed to drop and with Biggleswade still standing off and Leatherhead not working to find spaces it all became rather stale but for some fist-cuffs which saw two players get yellow cards.

The game then turned when our leftback slipped when under no real pressure to allow their striker almost through on goal.  Rob Hill regained his feet and made a good yet untidy tackle wining the ball but the ungainly nature convinced the ref there was a foul (not enough for it to be a red when he was the last man mind).  The free kick was hit low and hard seemingly under the wall and into the bottom right corner.  Oh dear.

Leatherhead had to hope for something special and it came when Simmo flicked a ball 'round the corner and into the path of Kev Terry who kept the Spirit of Dulwhich alive and slid it across the face of goal and in off the post.  One minute of play then passed and the ref blew for full time and the chance to meet again on Tuesday night... and just to prove we are a welcoming lot I hear the club will be hosting a curry night...

Tuesday then and one of those big nights at the Grove!

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead travel the 79.1 miles to face The Waders in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.  A new ground for me?  You betcha.

When it comes to FA Cup drama they love it.  Not happy with easing past Haringey & Waltham Development in the Preliminary round they opted to draw that game 5-5 before winning the replay 2-1.  The league on the other hand is proving to be a little more mundane.  They keep winning at home and they are five from five while they have drawn and lost once away from home.  Lets make sure they know it is an FA Cup game they are playing then!

As for pre-match sustenance their website suggests they have a more than adequate bar but for those who are looking for something more substantial why not try The White Horse... there is a Green Man pub but it is 3 miles out of town.

Directions can be found here.  Kick off is at 3pm.  See you there.

Hastings 0 - 0 Tanners

A bore draw?  Perhaps but could we have taken all three?

Hastings would probably feel they were on top in terms of possession but the chance were few and far between in the first half.  

Second half and despite the poor level of entertainment it was Leatherhead with the chances.  First it was Macleod who missed after being but in by Tommy on the break.  Then Simmo's volley from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.  Then at the death the 'keeper spills a Greg Andrews long range shot but there was no one to follow up.

Hastings tried some new blood to try and break the deadlock.  A prolific scorer from their U18 side made little difference and so Leatherhead double their tally for the season,.

FA Cup.  New boss.  What a Saturday we have in store...

Travelling Tanners

So, Richard Brady of Sittingbourne takes charge as he puts pen to paper on a two year deal although the forum posts on their website suggest he will be in charge for their away trip and not travel to Hastings tonight.  That seems a little strange so perhaps he will be in the stands while Simmo acts as caretaker again.

Hastings meanwhile sit in the bottom half of the table with 9 points, the lucky blighters.

Directions can be found here and the kick off is at 7.45pm.  Good luck fellas.

Tanners 0 - 1 Canvey

Never have the words of Billy Bragg rang truer.  I saw two shooting stars last night, I wished on them but they were only satellites
Is it wrong to wish on space hardware, I wish, I wish, I wish you'd care...

It was not the blood and guts performance of a team unleashed but slightly more reserved.  A team happy to go through the motions but at least there were motions being put through.

That said Leatherhead could have grabbed themselves a couple of goals in the first half but for a 'keeper far from being rusty.  Saving from Greg and Hutchings in quick succession then tipping over a header from a corner that seemed destined for the back of the net.

Second half and both teams played at arms length, not really getting stuck in until a striker managed to find himself alone at the end of the cross and his header back across goal beat Chico.

The response was a little disappointing.  Heads fell and while there were some signs of a rally there was no cry to back it up.

Hastings away anyone?

=

Canvey Island Are Coming

Well.  What a few days its been.  First of all we were playing Epsom & Ewell then we are not.  I wish some people at the club could make their minds up.  What else have I missed?

Canvey Island have not played here for a mighty long time.  From memory we were soundly beaten.  Some chap ,while on a boggy pitch, decided this ball along the floor business was too tricky so played a long ball keep-me-uppy move from the half way line and volleyed it in from just outside the box.  Steve Parmenter I believe and despite me writing to Southampton to sign him my letter must have got redirected by mistake as it was Southend who snapped him up.

Meanwhile, back at The Grove, Mark "Simmo" Simmonds takes his new charges out for the first time.  Eyes down.  Look at your cards.

Kick off at 3pm.  See.  You.  There.

The King Is Dead...

...  long live the UEFA Coach.  The Official Site has announced that Mick Sullivan has been dismissed with immediate effect... and then go on to thank him for the unprecidented success he has brough the club.  He is to be replaced by Mark Simmons.  As in Simmo?

I am sure more details we come soon...

Chocks Away!

Leatherhead have been drawn away to Biggleswade Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.  The game to be played on 1 October.  This lot look like they mean business though.  They play in the Southern League Midland Division and top the table having only lost once.

On a positive note it will be a new ground for me meaning I chalk my 200th new venue... so... something for you all to celebrate.

Tanners 5 - 1 North Leigh

A win: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the goodship Levred.

Leatherhead made short work of our Oxfordshire visitors thanks to a blistering first twenty minutes and a ref who was strong enough to apply the law after a tackle from behind.

Macleod was on fire down the right hand side today.  Turning the defenders inside out and firing in crosses that were finding their target.  On about 15 minutes a chest high ball found the head of Drewett who bravely headed the ball passed the 'keeper to get his first goal for the club.

Five minutes later Macleod again crossed into the feet of Hutchings who was completely unmarked.  That left foot does not miss from there.  With the visitors clearly rocked by the sudden change in fortunes they could not have thought it was going to get much worse until their player rashly tackled Drewett from behind and the ref applied the law to the letter.  Red card.  He then went on to apply the laws of the game to the letter a further five times as the freekick needed to be retaken for one reason or another.

To be honest, I am not 100% sold on the idea of Gainsford as a defender.  I find him out of position a little too often for my liking but what he does have more than any other player we have had in the back four is goals.  His ability to get a header on target is becoming a real asset and on 30 minutes he put the game completely out of sight.

Right on the stroke of half time North Leigh had their only shot on target and goal.  Gainsford (cough) fouled about 25 yards outside the box and their low freekick must have gone under the wall and into the bottom corner.

Second half and I really must ask the club to get some hammocks set up behind the goal.  The first half and hour was completely flat with little in the way of entertainment.  North Leigh doing their best to stoke things up as they began to show their frustration and became undisciplined.  Leatherhead seemed to get sucked into this downward spiral until Kev Terry lookalike Josh Gallagher struck a ball outside the box which looped up off a defenders back to make it 4-1.

North Leigh should have been down to nine men after a totally unacceptable attempt at a two foot by their number 6 but Greg let his football do the talking by volleying HARD passed the keeper.

The cup dream goes on with a win.  Canvey Island come to the Grove Saturday against a winning side.  For once.

Leigh All Your Love On Me

I wasn't jealous before we met, now every game we play is a potential threat... blimey... its FA Cup time at The Grove and North Leigh leave their Roman Villa to visit us for the first time that I can certainly think of.

North Leigh, played eight, won four and drawn one in the Southern League Division 1 and sit just in the top half of the table.  They are obviously taking the game seriously by ensuring complete radio silence on their message board for the last two years so they can prepare.

Kick off is at 3pm.  See you there!