Faversham 0 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead ease into the Second Qualifying Round after beating Faversham away today.

It was Faversham who nearly opened the scoring late in the first half but Leatherhead punished them for the miss in the second.  Bradbrook getting the first with Simmo chipping in to make it safe.

That's £2,550 in the bag and into the draw for the next round!

Travelling Tanners

No.  This is getting silly now.  Another away trip in an FA Competition?  Brendan Rodgers has nothing to moan about.  THIS is a conspiracy.

Tomorrow we travel into Kent for the First Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy and play Faversham.  A ground we were denied a last minute win on last time we were there as our penalty takers had been subbed off and were watching from the sideline as it was saved.

Progression in this competition does send some winnings our way so let's hope they do well tomorrow.

Kick off at 3pm.  Directions below.  Good luck fellas.

Directions: From junction 6 of the M2 (A251) follow the signs for Faversham. At the junction with the A2 turn right and the ground is on the right after approximately half a mile, just past The Windmill. The entrance is in Salters Lane, opposite Mill House Residential Home. If you are using SatNav the postcode of the ground is ME13 8ND.

Chelmsford City 2 - 1 Tanners

Despite the close scoreline and late charge I cannot help but think Leatherhead whimpered out of the FA Cup this year after an assured start seemed to ebb away.

For the opening 30 minutes Leatherhead were giving as good as they got.  Chelmsford's attacks coming from some smart crisp passing while we lacked a certain composure but more than made up for it in endeavour and got created some half chances.  Albeit through Tommy chasing down a ball the 'keeper tried to clear and winning some corners.

Just as it looked like we could battle out the half a Chelmsford diagonal ball into the box and a deft header beat our man between the sticks to take the lead.  This knocked the stuffing out of Leatherhead as we offered little for the remaining 10 minutes.

A quick word on our hosts though.  I was dreading this trip but it is smart looking stadium where they have managed to overcome the problem of having a running track by having stands in the large usually wasted area behind the goal so we could be close to the action.  They also seem a friendly bunch where song is replaced by polite ripple of applause heard usually at cricket matches.  Nothing wrong with that if you can grind out wins as they were today.

Second half and Leatherhead stepped out from the tunnel in completely the wrong state of mind if you ask me.  They looked flat and beaten.  Whilst in play the lack of chances can be put to the quality of Chelmsford but we seemed to lack the drive needed to get an equaliser.

Our task was made harder when the ref stepped in with a decision that could have easily have gone our way.  A free kick in a dangerous place and while moving the wall Chelmsford took it early.  Over it went without troubling our goal.  Advantage taken by Chelmsford?  No.  The ref pulled it back and with the second composed attempt it had more quality and beat our 'keeper.

The ref would only have to worry about this if we scored an equaliser which looked unlikely at the time but substitutions created some urgency that sent Andrews down the right, crossing into Bradbrook who made it interesting.

Eight minutes to and we had time for shout for a penalty and groan at a header that sailed over.  It was not to be.  The charge was too late and so good luck to Chelmsford in the next round.

Faversham in the Trophy then...

Travelling Tanners

Big day tomorrow as Leatherhead face the daunting task of going to Chelmsford and getting something from the game.  The bookies don't fancy it with us at 5/1 and a draw at 4/1.  The message board doesn't really fancy it as last year when faced with a similar task there was a fair amount of fire in our bellies prior to the Sutton game which appears to be lacking.

That could be because Chelmsford City have just been so nice to us.  They have even given us everything we need to know to get to Melbourne Park on the message board here.

Tough game but should be a great day out.  Kick off at 3pm and for the first time this season.... see you there!

Northwood 0 - 4 Tanners

My fears, based on last years trip to Cirencester, of a Leatherhead disaster proved unfounded as we ran out comfortable winners.

Goals from Boulter, Andrews, Simmons and Elliott did the damage.  On to Chelmsford though for the big one!

Travelling Tanners

Tomorrow Leatherhead travel to Northwood of the Evo-Stick Southern League Central Division to play in the FA Trophy. 

This game has all the makings of an absolute disaster for us.  It is a competition that always ends in tears for us, against a new side that sits mid table just a week before we play a tough side in the FA Cup.

Prove me wrong fellas, prove me wrong! 

Directions can be found here.  Good luck fellas.

Sittingbourne 0 - 1 Tanners

A fine away win to put us back into winning ways in the league thanks to a Tommy Hutchings goal on the stroke of half time.

It was Sittingbourne who opened the brighter with a chance on the pitch and some bright singing off the pitch directed at their one time manager Richard Brady.  Essentially he should cheer up while managing a poor football team.

Cheer up he did when a poor back pass was picked up by the eager Tommy Hutchings who put the ball into an empty net.

Second half and not much to report other than a late chance that fell to Francis-Adeyinka who was denied by a fingertip save by the home keeper, only for the referee to give a goal kick.

On to the Trophy then...

Travelling Tanners

After the distraction of the FA Cup we are back on the road in the league... and the long trip to Sittingbourne is in store.

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

FA Cup draw

It's a tough one.  We are away to Chelmsford City of the Blue Square South.

Game to be played on 22 September.

Leatherhead 3 - 1 Tooting

Much improved second half performance saw us deservedly win. First half Tooting were the better side with Greg doing what he does best by scoring spectacular goals to temporarily put us in front.

After the break we closed them down much higher up the pitch and Simmons and Charlie Holness got much better possession and we started to play and create chances and should have been in front before the first penalty. Leatherhead went on to earn a second penalty as their player dragged Jerry down as he ran for the corner.

So Tooting's miserable start to the season continues while we can look forward to the draw Monday lunch time...

(via mitch)

FA Cup Day

Whispers of the satchel have come out again.  A throw back to happy times when coach trips to Abingdon were joyous occasions.

Tomorrow we host Tooting & Mitcham, a side that is still finding its feet in the league but on their day could easily inflict a similar scoreline on us as we did to them just a few weeks ago.

Leatherhead stuttered a little bit last week but hopefully that is because we had one eye on this game as progressing in the cup is a prize worth winning.

Kick off at 3pm.  Good luck fellas!

Tanners 0 - 1 Chipstead

After a bright start and a spell of pressure from corners Leatherhead conceded a goal against the run of play and went on to lose.

From that point Leatherhead's grip on the game evaporated. It was so bad at one point I could hear "step it up Levred" from Bali.

A disappointing result and performance there.

Chipstead are coming

Today we welcome Chipstead to the Grove.

Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.