Leatherhead’s unbeaten run gets another examination when we travel to Redhill. After four games they have just suffered the one defeat and sit three points behind us.
Directions can be found here. Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.
(Holiday for me this time!)
Leatherhead secure a draw in an entertaining game away at Horsham. It did not start well for us though with us conceding our first goal in the opening minute of the game. Tait was on hand to level the scores with a composed finish on half time.
Horsham’s hitmat Charman put the home side in the lead against the run of play but Leatherhead hit back quickly with a stunning free kick from Jack Hobbs.
The clean sheet run ends but the undefeated streak continues.
Not much here for the highlights reel should we go on and achieve something this season. That said both Leatherhead and their ‘keeper remain unbeaten.
There has been much talk of Leatherhead’s chances this year, but the visitors had either not heard the rumour or didn’t care as they came out confidently.
On the opening day of the season the game was decided by Matt Smart’s “worldy”, beating the keeper with a 30 volley. Such is the error of margin as, but for the width of the post, Bradbrook was denied from 35 yards by the woodwork. You can’t hope to win all your games from out there though.
Seven points from the opening nine is still a good start. Horsham on Tuesday, they won at Guernsey and will be confident going into this game…
Leatherhead go top with getting one more than the two goal lead they needed. That only really tells perhaps a third of the story as 6-3 in favour of the Tanners could easily have been notched up.
Leatherhead looked the most purposeful than they have in a number of months. Flowing forward nicely and creating chances. The first two chances came thanks to a ‘keeper who had buttered up his gloves prior to stepping out on the pitch. Twice the ball squeezed out to fall goal wards only for a defender and then the post to help him out. Kev Terry then found the net after going clear and finding the bottom corner. He was deemed to be offside.
The goal came from a swift move down the center, then out to the right and the following cross found Tait perfectly. Soon after Corinthians responded, hitting the post and then a defender on the line full in the face.
Second half. Both sides looking to score, Leatherhead perhaps the more composed although this was one of the best Corinthian sides I have seen in a while. It was down to Kev Terry to make it safe. A composed trademark finish, slotted under their keeper.
Two nil and we could dream of going top. What could get better? What about a delicate lob over the stranded ‘keeper from about 20 yards by Tait. Yep, that ought to do it. 3-0.
Corinthians still found time to hit the post again while Bradbrook's outside of the foot tap in was ruled out for offside. Good times return to the Grove!
The perfect start for Leatherhead on the road at Ramsgate today getting all three points thanks to a first half Smart screamer.
From the off Leatherhead were all round sharper with Ramsgate looking quite sluggish in comparison. Shortly after the half hour mark the dominance paid off when Smart found himself with a chance to volley about 30 yards out. In it screamed and set us on our way.
Ramsgate managed to respond in the second half and made more of a game of it. Indeed but for the woodwork twice they could have well scored as the piled on the pressure for the last 20 minutes.
Leatherhead were not to be denied though and the opening day win was ours. Wednesday, yes Wednesday, it is then for a visit of Corinthian Casuals…
| Hastings United | 6 | |
| Folkestone Invicta | 8 | |
| Guernsey | 8 | |
| Ramsgate | 8 | |
| Leatherhead | 10 | |
| Merstham FC | 10 | |
| Burgess Hill Town | 16 | |
| Faversham Town | 16 | |
| Horsham | 16 | |
| Hythe Town | 16 | |
| Crawley Down Gatwick | 20 | |
| Eastbourne Town | 20 | |
| Corinthian Casuals | 33 | |
| Sittingbourne | 33 | |
| Chipstead | 40 | |
| Herne Bay | 40 | |
| Whitstable Town | 40 | |
| Worthing | 40 | |
| Peacehaven & Telscombe | 50 | |
| Redhill | 50 | |
| Three Bridges | 50 | |
| Tooting & Mitcham United | 50 | |
| Walton & Hersham | 50 | |
| Walton Casuals | 66 |
The time for tittle-tattle is now over as Leatherhead open their campaign away at Ramsgate. There will be some time to enjoy the beautiful game without the pressure of the opening fixture as Ramsgate are hosting a National Football Day event with coaching and penalty shoot outs for kids.
Leatherhead have been scoring well in pre-season but with only one clean sheet (although this has been a feature of our pre-seasons for years) there will be plenty of work to be done at the back.
Directions can be found here. Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.
Only 2 first round ties and Leatherhead have been drawn in one of them! It's a Walton double for the first two rounds...
Round 1
Leatherhead v Walton & Hersham
Round Two
Walton Casuals v Leatherhead or Walton & Hersham
For the full draw got to Percy’s post (from which I shamelessly stole this article!).
A fine win on the road for Leatherhead. As the hosts prepare for their first season in the Ryman Premier League in their history they have been scoring well. In a way that continued with two first half goals.
Leatherhead had all the answers though. Firstly through a piece of skill from Kev Terry. Tait then got a brace to welcome his return to the side.
3-2 would have been a good scoreline by Bradbrook headed home to make it 4-2.
Home game on Saturday to boot…
Another away friendly and quite the journey too from memory as we take on Thamesmead Town. It was certainly an eventful trip where the referee found himself the villain sending off at least two of their players.
Tonight should be a more sedate affair and a chance to build on the clean sheet obtained Tuesday night against Ryman Premier opposition. We will certainly get a test, they have scored 9 goals over their last three friendlies.
It is a 7.30pm kick off. Directions to be found here.