Hastings 2 - 2 Leatherhead

An outstanding performance tonight was rewarded with a well-earned point away at Hastings.  A side crippled by injury sees a few new faces slot into the side.  Obersteller (from Welling I believe) and Plean bolstering the side.

It started well too.  Despite some early pressure Kev Terry’s pin point cross found an inform Bradbrook to put us in the lead.  Lucky to have him on the pitch as the car he was in had a flat tyre on the way to the ground.

Hastings are having a good run themselves and managed get one back by lashing the loose ball into the top corner at close range.  1-1 at half time.

Second half and Leatherhead really started to get into their stride.  It was unfortunate then that Ibrahim was adjudged to trip a Hastings player in the box and concede a penalty which was duly dispatched.  2-1 to the hosts.

It looked like our play was not going to be reward.  A header saved cleared off the line and a long range effort well saved from Semakula just two instances of our dominance.

Then when it looked like it was going to be tough justice Bradbrook struck again.  He managed to turned superbly onto Eisa's pass, before unleashing a 20 yard shot that shot past the home shot stopper.

A good point against a good side with promotion ambitions of their own.  Onto Harlow in the Trophy…

Biggleswade Town Away

So.  Calor Southern Premier league opposition awaits us in the next round.  They dispatched Chelmsford City in the last round 2-0 so a tough draw.

Rod will update the official site with confirmation of the dates soon…

Travelling Tanners are coming...

Well, it’s been a busy weekend for someone.  Tomorrow Leatherhead travel to Hastings for a Monday night fixture.  Something of a first for me and perhaps this is what lead to the confusion.  Hastings sit above us in the league and, while losing to Merstham will be a low point for them, they pose a real threat.  Directions can be found here kick off at 7.45.

Then onto the Walton & Hersham League Cup fixture which seemed to be slotted in on the Wednesday night.  That has now been re-scheduled for Wednesday 9th October at Fetcham Grove. Kick off 7.45pm.

That means the next game at the Grove is against Harlow Town in the FA Trophy on Saturday, 5th October.

In all seriousness, we know Rod and his programme collection give up their time for free and do a bloody good job BUT if you want to join the full public enquiry please follow the hashtag #rodhasmuckedup.

Binfield 1 - 2 Tanners

First of all, what a club Binfield is.  £6 to watch a competitive team in a friendly atmosphere.  A credit to the game.  While our hosts were warm and friendly we were cold and disjointed.  A traffic accident on the Kent border meant that several members the team would be late and two more arriving during the second half.

Obviously this unsettled us.  Tait and Draycott playing with injuries with some others out of position.  The side just did not look interested for long periods of the game.  Quiet with no real leadership.  Had it not been for Bradbrook we would not be in the hat on Monday.

Although Bradbrook did not have an easy opening 30-40 minutes.  Binfield's centrehalves had him in their pockets while we lumped long high balls down the middle.  Only when we pushed it into the corners in  the last five minutes for him to chase did we start moving their defence and create some pressure.

Until then it was all Binfield.  Their opening goal a ball pushed through the middle and calmly chipping the 'keeper.  They went on to create three chances in similar fashion but they did not finish.

Second half and while Leatherhead were not quite as bad it was still Binfield in control.  No one could see where a goal was coming until the 70th minute when the ball bounced to Draycott who had the composure to beat a keeper who was poorly positioned in the goal.

Binfield's keeper reacted in a way that signalled they now wanted the draw.  Refusing to give the ball to Draycott to restart the game quickly.  Leatherhead now started smelling fear and for the first time really took hold of the game.

While in the last five minutes they had some chances and but for a point blank save from Ibrahim they would have scored.  In the last minute Leatherhead won a free kick about 22 yards out.  As Bradbrook stepped up they home side seemed to panic, throwing extra men into the wall.  The confusion was taken advantage of and Bradbrook bent the ball through a gap and past an unsighted 'keeper.

A win that even the hardest of Leatherhead supporters would admit was lucky and barely deserved.  We're in the draw BUT will need to improve to take on some of the names left in the hat.

Travelling Tanners

THIS is what the FA Cup is all about in my mind.  We’ve dispatched with the familiar opposition and now we get to travel to a new ground and play in a competitive game.

Binfield are already pretty pleased with themselves over their run as they are into the second qualifying round of the competition for the first time in their history.  Be warned, they want more though.

Warning signs must be shown at our end too.  The last three results have seen us ship seven goals and gain two points against sides that a team with ambitions of promotion should be putting to bed.

What a match it promises to be.  Directions can be found here.  Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

 

Birthday wishes

Happy birthday to Adam Gray.  Part of the team that took us to the FA Cup First Round proper. 

Hope to see you at the Grove again soon.  Dickie said he’d buy you a drink…

 

Tanners 3 - 3 Walton & Hersham

The curse of the clanger goes on.  Leatherhead squandered their advantage after fighting their way back into the game following a poor first half.

 

Walton & Hersham didn’t hang around scoring in the opening minutes.  The ref was not enjoying the robust exchanges with the home side appearing to come off worst for the decisions.  The form of Bradbrook put us back in the chase, benefitting from a deflection he notched up his 10^th goal of the season.

 

Second half and it was the home side’s turn to stun with Kev Terry and Coyle scoring in two minutes to give us a commanding lead.

 

The commanding position was then wasted.  Eisa was subbed for the more experienced Burchell but there came the problem.  Kev Terry had been combining well with Bradbrook and between them they had the measure of the visitors.  Kev Terry was pushed out wide and Burchell replaced him upfront but he did not have the same instant chemistry thus allowing Walton into the game.  Cue calamity. 

 

Walton, as Eastbourne did but in less dramatic fashion, notched up two goals to deny us two points.

It’s not all bad.  Leatherhead sit second with a game in hand on the leaders but with two points from nine it could be so much better.

 

Walton & Hersham are coming

After the blip of Saturday comes a chance to bounce back.  Tomorrow sees our old friends Walton & Hersham come to the Grove during a challenging start to the season for them.  That said, they are in better shape than Eastbourne who stole two points from us as an eye drifted to the FA Cup game (perhaps).

Kick off at 7.45.  Good luck Tanners.

Tanners 1 - 2 Whitstable

Approximately this time last year an unbeaten Leatherhead was announced in the press as not having found top gear.  Cue a run of disappointing results.  Inexplicably the same sentiment was issued in the week and on came the inevitable defeat.

It could have been so different though.  While Whitstable issued an early warning it was Leatherhead on top and looking the most likely.  The visitors appeared to be treading water when the goal finally came.  A free kick found a Terry Butcher-esque Coyle who headed back across goal to a grateful Bradbrook.  An assured header shot past the 'keeper, 1-0.

Two chances came about ten minutes either side of half time.  The first one to Kev Terry who was set clear straight through the middle to a keeper on the edge of his box.  His shot saved with ease.  Then Bradbrook had a similar chance but out to the left with another player in support for a tap in.  Again the shot was saved.

If Leatherhead's opening goal was straightforward from a set piece then Whitstable's was even simpler.  Cutting out the middle man and heading straight in for the equaliser.

At 1-1 Leatherhead were no doubt looking for the winner but to some degree the referee had a part to play.  Consistent in his decisions but overly officious, halting the game to have a chat here or replace the ball there.  This allowed Whitstable to settle while we began to panic.  The damage was finally done when a shot was lashed in from distance after bouncing over the diving 'keeper.

The hero of lastweek had a chance to level but this time Birchell blasted across the face of the goal.  The first defeat of the season was notched up.  A mid-table Walton & Hersham come to the Grove on Wednesday.  Time to finish what we started...

Whitstable are coming!

The Oystermen return to the Grove tomorrow for this league encounter.  They are struggling a bit so far sitting in 18th but have Charlie Smith who has snuck into the top goal scorers table with 4 goals.

It may not be an issue for some but remember the Tour of Britain comes to down, albeit early for Leatherhead, which results in rolling road blocks.  Check here for details of how you could be affected.

Kick off at 3pm.  Get on your bikes and ride!

Rod, close up and personal

The FA sent their man to film the game and interview the big names around the club and they do not come bigger than Rod Ellis.

Here are his thoughts on his programme collections... oh and some other people talking about winning goals and stuff.

It's Binfield

So, its Binfield.  They ran out 4-1 winners last night against Ardley United. While they are a league below their current form and home advantage will make this a tough match.
 

Travel details to follow nearer the time.

FA Cup draw

It’s Ardley United or Binfield away for a chance to win £4,500 and to make it through to the Third Qualifying round.  A couple of new grounds to look forward to and avoiding Conference South clubs.

Game to be played 28 September…

Tanners 2 - 1 Carshalton

Leatherhead battle their way through into the next round in a game sparse with entertainment value.  Not that we will be complaining Monday when the draw is made though.
Where I have always been critical is the needless changes that have been made to winning teams over the last two seasons.  I am sure some drastic changes had to be made to find Kev Terry at left back but why muck around up front?  Tait, who has been linking up with Bradbrook so well, found himself in midfield and out of sorts to accommodate a new striker.  A square peg in a round hole unsettled this winning side and Crashalton were truly on top.
The pressure told and Carshalton powered a header after a dominating possession in the final third.  Leatherhead reshuffled with Kev Terry now playing on the left wing.  We managed to gather a few passes into their half and had a ball bounce off the bar.  Then on winning a foul out to the left, the resulting free kick was headed home by Bradbrook.
Second half saw Tait advance up front and Draycott back in midfield.  It worked.  Now it was Leatherhead on the front foot and applying the pressure.  Tait lobbing a ball to Bradbrook to head at the feet of the 'keeper.  He could only spill it into the path of Birchell who prodded the ball for a scrappy yet important goal.
Ten minutes later later Carshalton were down to 10 when their captain launched into a tackle and caught a Leatherhead player head on.  Not a good day for them.
Get refreshing your twitter accounts Monday.  We're there.

Carshalton are coming

Get your tin foil out and start cutting cardboard.  The FA Cup weekend is almost upon us.  Ryman Premier opposition descend to the Grove in the second of the two early round draws we have known about for some time.

Our visitors are not enjoying life in the Ryman Premier at the moment though.  Only one win to their name they sit joint bottom, but hold the phone.  Leatherhead did not enjoy the last two minutes of their game against the bottom club in our league so let’s be on our guard for the whole 90 this time.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

 

Eastbourne Town 2 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead will feel disappointed after letting a two goal lead slip in stoppage time.  Two early goals from Kev Terry and Tom Bradbrook got us on our way but it all went wrong.

Kev Terry got things underway within the first few minutes scoring on our first attack.  Bradbrook continues his scoring run by latching onto a cross and heading home inside the six yard box and powered it home.

From then it all seemed to be going well until Eastbourne started applying some late pressure.  It told on the stroke of 90 minutes when they pulled one back.  Surely the bottom place club couldn’t make a comeback?  Sadly for Leatherhead they could and on the last kick of the game they pulled it back 2-2.

One eye on the FA Cup perhaps?     

 

Travelling Tanners

As indicated briefly below Leatherhead travel to Eastbourne Town tonight.  Another team playing on a Wednesday night… all of those dual registered players both sides could be unrecognisable.  Painful memories of the last fixture though for me.  Not a great game and a missed wedding anniversary to boot.  Needless to say I won’t be there tonight.

That said it could be a lively one as Eastbourne are having a tough start while we are looking in fine form.  Sorry if I jinx it.

Directions can be found here.  Kick off at 7.45.

Coach to Eastbourne

We are trying to arrange a supporters minibus to Eastbourne Town on Wednesday night. Dickie has a few names but we are still a bit light to make it viable. The minibus will leave Fetcham Grove at 4.30pm on Wednesday and, assuming they can get 12 supporters, should cost around £10 per head.

Please let Dickie know ASAP if you would like to go (number to be found in the message board).

They aim to make a decision as early as possible tomorrow based on numbers so please look out on the message board for updates.

Goal sharing

Leatherhead sit top of the table, best defence and second highest in goals scored... BUT selflessly sharing the goals it seems...

Name	Total	Team	Breakdown
Brendon Cass	5	Faversham Town	Goal (5)
David Cook	5	Hythe Town	Penalty (2), Goal (3)
James Everitt	5	Ramsgate	Goal (5)
Richmond KIssi	5	Redhill	Goal (5)
Aaron Rhule	4	Merstham	Goal (4)
Ashley Robinson	4	Crawley Down Gatwick	Goal (4)
Charlie Walker	4	Peacehaven & Telscombe	Goal (4)
Connor French	4	Walton Casuals	Goal (4)
Dane Luchford	4	Folkestone Invicta	Goal (4)
Liam Wright	4	Crawley Down Gatwick	Goal (4)
Max Miller	4	Burgess Hill Town	Goal (4)
Soloman Pinnock	4	Tooting & Mitcham United	Goal (4)
Allan Tait	3	Leatherhead	Goal (3)
Gary Charman	3	Horsham	Goal (3)
Jamie Brotherton	3	Peacehaven & Telscombe	Goal (3)

Tanners 5 - 1 Tooting

This is all going rather well.  Leatherhead climb top after Crawley Down Gatwick slip up while we pile on the pressure onto lowly Tooting.

It didn’t start that way though with Tooting’s Dalhouse rising uncontested to head home from a corner on 24 minutes.  Could be the first defeat of the season?

No.  Leatherhead started their surge with a deft header from Parkinson that lobbed the ‘keeper just before half time.

If the Tooting ‘keeper was embarrassed by being caught out by the flicked header worse was to come.  The pressure was building for in the second half before we finally got the breakthrough.  Tom Bradbrook got us on our way.  He had already headed one ball at close range right at the ‘keeper but on his second chance he made no mistake.  A squared ball across the box allowed him to tap in to the goal thanks to an over committed ‘keeper.  It got worse for the shot stopped when he was beaten near post by Bradbrook again minutes later.

Perhaps the “shot stopper” was worried about where his near post was when Kev Terry struck.  Freed from a brief spell at right back he advanced on goal from the right and powered his shot across the ‘keeper and it nestled into the side netting.

Mo Eisa topped all the goals.  Taking the ball through the middle he worked some space some 25 yards out and hit the ball powerfully into top corner.

Eastbourne away Wednesday…

Tooting are coming

Tooting & Mitcham come to the Grove tomorrow in a repeat of the FA Cup tie.
I hope they took defeat on the chin for a well mannered game tomorrow.
Kick off at 3pm. See you there.