Harlow 2 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead saw out 2016 with a whimper today. For whatever the reason we weren't quite at the races. 

We created very few chances and Harlow were deserved winners. Cash scored with a fine shot when he cut in from the wing on 30 minutes but it was very much against the run of play. There wasn't much improvement in the 2nd half and it seemed inevitable that Harlow would score at least twice to take all 3 points.

2016 saw a lot of changes. It was the year of Ashdexit and Sandmexit. Rod and Dickie left office after years of service for the club. Brades took over as Chairman and Jimmy Bullard created plenty of interest when he took over as Manager. 

We have seen some encouraging signs and improved attendances in recent weeks. We can be optimistic for continued progress in 2017. So onto Merstham on Monday 2nd January. We will go into that fixture undefeated in the calendar year.

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead make a trip to mid table Harlow tomorrow and I can't decide if it's a new ground. We did play them in a pre-season friendly (which I went to) but don't know if that predates the stadium's opening of 2006.

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

Tanners 2 - 1 (same old) Met Police

We know what to expect from Met Police. They have always been a dirty and unpleasant team. It was a surprise today that their 'keeper was an unassuming and pleasant sort of chap. He's at the wrong club.

Met Police delighted us with their early season form. They were rubbish and looked a certainty for the drop. Unfortunately, they have turned it around in recent weeks and won 6 straight games. The Met Police Assistant Commissioner must have turned the police lottery tap back on.

Leatherhead are also a different proposition to a few weeks ago. We play quick passing football with skilful players happy to look after the ball. That's exactly what we did in the 1st half creating few clear chances against a well drilled (shouted at) Met Police side. A bumper crowd in excess of 350 reflected the new buzz around Fetcham Grove. The crowd was also swelled by three or four Met Police followers, and the welcome return of Rod.

The 2nd half bought our just reward with a superb cross converted by a fine header from Mohammed Sagaf. We were comfortable at 1-0 until the referee (who had been inconsistent throughout and a bit of a prat) awarded the softest penalty since wise men took presents to Bethlehem. The penalty was converted and it seemed more of an injustice than the treatment of Paul Gambacchini.

Fear not said Jimmy although mighty dread had seized our troubled minds. In the 87th minute we scrambled in the goalmouth and Rian Bray gently lobbed the ball into the net.
This lead to scenes of great joy and goodwill to all men. Well all those that support Leatherhead anyway! 

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas from all of us here at The Lip!

May your turkey be on your plate and not flapping at a cross in the 89th minute.

Met Police are coming

Shhhh.  Don’t tell anyone at the club but it appears they have forgotten to rearrange this fixture for 8am or something.  That means for most of us we can go to the game at the normal time and see two sides in fine form.  Never mind us being 4^th in the form table, Met Police are top over 6 games.  Perhaps lottery funding and overtime have been put back into place…

Leatherhead’s Boxing Day clash could therefore prove to be a true classic.  Kick off at 3pm.  Yes, 3pm.  Good luck fellas.

 

Tanners 2 - 1 Enfield Town

If the season was just six games old the currently form guide puts us in 4^th place, as this impressive win perhaps signals a corner has been turned.

Leatherhead’s opening 25 minutes was impressive.  Every pass seemed to be done with menace and Enfield were clearly not ready for this.  If Leatherhead had not taken advantage of this then the result may have been different but as it was Sagaf was pounced to put us 1-0 up.  A through ball found both him and Mendy who appeared to compete to score but Sagaf was better placed and passed it into the bottom right corner.

Enfield Town did eventually come round to the idea that Leatherhead were not going to roll over easily so started to play their way back into the game although gave their travelling supporters little to cheer about for the remainder of the first half.

Leatherhead started the second half well too.  From a period of pressure we won a corner and our second goal.  The ball was swung in an I can only imagine their ‘keeper shouted to mark Mendy; in that moments of hesitation of the defender questioning whether that was Mendy with an E or a Y he beat his man and scored with a glancing header.

Two nil up and this puts Leatherhead on shaky ground.  The game always appear finely balanced between control and all out panic and it only takes one goal to shift it firmly into self-destruct and so it nearly happened.  Enfield grabbed their goal and if it were not for Wells this game may have slipped through our fingers.  Certainly when a save was made but leaving the ball sat on the goal line we feared the worse but somehow we cleared.

A fantastic win and Jimmy insisted on making the team walk off together to receive the cheers of the home support.  Let’s hope for more of the same with the visit of Met Police over the festive fixture season…

 

Enfield Town are coming

After the much needed win against Hendon, Leatherhead host Enfield Town tomorrow in what will be a very different proposition.  While they have drawn their last three games, they sit in eighth place and they didn’t get there by accident.

The club is offering half price entry (with proof of a re-tweet) for adults and under 16s are free.  This is then followed by “An evening with Jimmy and Razor”; where you can pay £25 to hear your own manager speak, banter and no doubt something a bit blue.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Hendon 1 - 3 Tanners

The few who made the game feared this was not going to be a fruitful trip with the departure of so many key players, Ricketts being the one that caused the eyebrows to raise the most.  However, Mendes was at hand with a debut that rivalled that of Glenn Boosey’s.

Another factor that worried me was the pitch.  It was a 3G one, seemed to have more pellets on that I remember seeing elsewhere, and we had already tasted defeat away at Worthing on a similar surface.  I need not have worried as it suited our new players perfectly.  With an even surface they were unplayable with the ball at their feet and it was from a confident run across the box Mendes opened his account.  The defenders seemed reluctant to get close and his powerful shot; low and into the corner; beat the ‘keeper.

A phrase we have heard recently is to “look after the ball”, and Hendon were poor at it.  All too often a Hendon defender would chase a ball but without being fully aware or committed and a determined Leatherhead player would beat them to it.  It was from such a move that Mo Sagaf scored, stealing the ball and running at goal at a tight angle.  The angle was such we felt it there could have been a better option but he slid it under the ‘keeper to prove us wrong.

Two nil at half and time to enjoy the facilities.  When I saw they didn’t have a dedicated tea bar I feared the worst but it turned out to be something of a highlight.  Polite service, reasonably priced and a soup that enters my top three in terms of football sustenance (a hotpot pie at Marine still up there).

On to the second half and it was a pretty open game with the ref happen to let things go and wave play on all over the place.  Hendon should have perhaps had a penalty due to some extreme shirt pulling but he let it go.  There was a little scuffle which could have seen two yellow cards, but he let it go.  Mendes lobs the goalkeeper after being blown up for being offside in the 90^th minute and got the first and only yellow and was called “stupid” by the ref too as he had worked so hard to avoid paperwork.

Before his fall from grace he scored a wonder goal.  A poor clearance saw the ball bounce in the box and sit up just above knee height and he latched onto it and it flew in off the inside of the bar.

Hendon did get one back to ruin Wells’ clean sheet bonus, which was a shame as he had pulled off a fantastic point blank save to send the ball high into the air.  A Hendon player was at hand to head it home but at the cost of Joe Howe who was trying to clear.  He went off injured which is unlucky considering he had only come on that half to replace Jerry.

A wonderful three points but a very different challenge on Saturday with the visit of Enfield Town.

Travelling Tanners

Christmas comes early for me this year as the gift of a new ground presents itself with a trip to Hendon on Saturday.  No more ground sharing with Harrow for them.

Life in their new ground hasn’t been easy, although three points easier than our season.  A win would take us above them on goal difference though as we look nervously over our shoulder at the relegation zone.

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

Needham Market 2 - 1 Tanners

I didn’t go to this game as I had made the long trip only to see a dominate second half performance thwarted by both the conditions and a failure to take their chances… and so history repeated itself.

We did at least score; Akindayindi pouncing on a poor clearance to take the lead on just 19 minutes.  A surging Needham run and powerful shot cancelled out that lead just three minutes later and a stunning free kick put us behind five more minutes after that.

Again we were strong in the second half but no end result other than for the substitute, Richard Seixas, to pick up two yellow cards.

NEW GROUND KLAXON for Saturday as we travel to Hendon…

Travelling Tanners

If Needham Market treat us as we treated our hosts in the week they will call this off at about 1.30: leaving us in limbo and potentially on the road.  I'd doubt they'd be that stupid to sit on pitch inspection results for an hour though...

They like to get a game on though.  Last year we arrived to see a freshly ploughed cabbage patch and we struggled with the conditions.

Needham Market continue to sit in the play-offs despite us grabbing an equaliser the last time we met.

Kick off at 3pm.  Good luck fellas.

Staines 2 - 5 Tanners

A superb attacking display stunned a Staines side who had scored 9 in their last 2 league games without reply.

Staines think they are more special than most by charging £12 to get in. They must have forgotten they are no longer in the Conference South. Their supporters haven't forgotten though as most of them decided to stay at home and watch the champions league.

The game started normally enough with not much between the sides. Then on 23' the Staines keeper decided to kick the ball to Adam who cashed in by passing to Akindayindi who scored at the 2nd attempt.

Then a great strike by Kadell Daniel saw us take a 2-0 lead. The goal was reminiscent of Vas who is on loan at Dulwich which is why we they loaned us Kadell.

Leatherhead were now on a rampage good enough to make Attila the Hun envious. It wasn't long before Akindayindi made it 3-0 on 39'. However, we were soon brought back down to earth by our nemesis. Another goal conceded by a breakaway from our own corner. Jimmy is considering a new tactic.....should we kick our corners straight out for a goal kick? Never mind it was half time and we were 3-1 up.

To be fair for the first 30' of the 2nd half Staines were all over us and scored on 56' and went very close on numerous other occasions. Somehow we weathered the storm and in a rare attack Theobalds came to our rescue on 77' to give us a 4-2 lead and calm the nerves. Daniel scored again on 87' to finish off a remarkable 5-2 victory.

The league table is starting to look a bit more healthy so Folkestone won't be quite so keen to visit us next Wednesday.

Tanners 1 - 3 Bognor Regis

As it was the last full day of my in-laws visit my son opted to spend time with them rather than watch the game.  “Did we win?” was the first thing he asked when I returned home with a face as hopeful and naïve as our approach to the game.  “Of course not Peter, we conceded three easy goals as we do nearly every week”, was my inevitable reply.

Let’s not dismiss Leatherhead completely, we are an attacking side with Daniel and Cash looking the most likely to create.  It is a pity that the most likely to score, Akindayini, is returning to his old club as with the loss of Bradbrook we will start to look light upfront.

The goal we conceded was a classic sucker punch from my most hated of routines; the short corner.  On this occasion the ball in did threaten but all too often we fail to take advantage of the free pass into the box and lose possession.  What the short corner always does is commit another player into the attack, so when the ‘keeper caught the ball from the left he could throw into the path of a now attacking player down the right.  The basketball equivalent of a fast break was on and with a low cross and a deft flick it was one nil before most of our players had a chance to get into our own half.

We did start the second half well, which created some excitement but soon the more experienced Bognor appeared to have it back under control.  The introduction of Rash Kamara made a huge difference to our attacking options down the left and he soon found himself on the score sheet.  His run on the edge of the box until he had room to shoot, beat the ‘keeper.  His celebration was a thing of wonder, taking all the hi-fives and hugs the referee would allow.

The ref then decided to play (or not play) a part in the game for us.  Momentum had firmly swung in our favour and we were soon on the attack again.  A clever ball put Kamara in with only a Bognor player between him and the ball.  He feigned to go on the inside but then switched to the outside, the marking player did not anticipate this and lunged hopefully for the ball but caught Kamara in the box.  Now it was blatant enough but there were two further clues for the ref to react.  Firstly the marking player was wearing the number 9 shirt, therefore the most likely to mistime a tackle.  Secondly, this player suddenly seemed injured.  The ref bottled it and also went onto not see a shot blocked with an arm, claiming it was a chest.

Even without the penalties we should have had enough about us to close in on at least a point… but that would completely ignore how we have played this season.

First of all we over committed on an attack and gave the ball away in midfield with no one in place to cover the attack down the right.  The low short was powerfully smashed into the back of the net.  The third goal, bloody hell.

 

Playing from the back in commendable.  Some of the best performances I have seen Leatherhead play is when we build with confidence from the back but confidence is something we lack.  There surely should come a time when panicked pass after another should be met with a good old fashioned “get rid” but no, we shuffled back until we practically passed it into our net.  I would have had more respect for Leatherhead if Jerry had just smacked it into the top corner so we had something to marvel at rather than watch our poor ‘keeper be placed under so much pressure he fumbled the ball into his own net.

Before the game I sat with some travelling supporters as they discussed their hopes for the season.  I told them if they didn’t score three against us they may as well forget their title chances.  Their hopes are still alive while we go into Tuesday's game in need of a miracle.  

Bognor Regis are coming

Tomorrow the level of opposition increases considerably from the mid-week opponents of Molesey (of which we struggled), with the visit of second place Bognor Regis.

Our visitors sit in second place with an impressive goal difference of 16, the second highest in the league.  With our goal difference of -6 I hope we have worked on our defence.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

 

Molesey 0 - 1 Tanners

Scruffy, scrappy, and messy but at last Leatherhead become the knocker, and not the knockee, in a knock-out competition. And there was more good news… there was no sign of Chuck Martini.

A strong Leatherhead side was sent into battle and we hoped for a comfortable win but this was far from comfortable.  Molesey battled the whole way through and had the best of the chances but were profligate in front of goal.

A dull, drab, dank, dreary, disappointing, first half ended goalless and almost ball less as all the match balls ended up in the surrounding new build houses. Jimmy screamed "look after the ball" but his words went unheeded.

The only goal of the game was a header from Mo Sagaf early in the 2nd half. Molesey then deliberately had a player sent off to try and make us panic. It worked. We did indeed panic. Jimmy urged everyone to calm down. No one did. Luckily it didn't matter as Molesey spurned their chances to equalise.

We march on triumphantly into the draw for the last 16. Ties are due to be played early January.

 

Travelling Tanners

The best kept secret in Surrey football.  Leatherhead travel to Molesey in the next round of the Surrey Senior Cup on Tuesday night.  After a weekend of playing with ourselves who knows what side will be put out in this cup game.  A chance to rest players ready for the next friendly?

We have not played our hosts for about three years, where we beat them 1-0 in the same competition.

If you’ve forgotten the way to Molesey you can find directions here.  Kick off at 7.45.  Good luck fellas!

 

Leatherhead 3 - 1 Lowestoft

Leatherhead got a much needed win before entering a two week pre-winter break thanks to a new look team.  Overall this management lark seems easy; simply find a player who has experience of playing six leagues above…

What was been heralded on the message board was the arrival of Ricketts.  I took a seat on the halfway line for this one and he controlled the game for us.  Constantly telling his team mates to slow it down and where to pass while making telling contributions of his own.  The most telling was to set up the equaliser for new boy Akindayini, a cute through ball for him to run onto and smash pass the ‘keeper.

Before that it looked all too familiar for Leatherhead though.  After just a few minutes we found ourselves hemmed in and failed to deal with a low cross in the box and it was prodded home from close range.

I appreciate I have described the goals in reverse order there but that sets the tone for the rest of the report.  How often have I had to praise first half performances to then go ballistic over the second half “effort”?  Not this game though.

There were times though it felt like the win was not going to come.  First of all we appeared to have a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside.  A pass found Daniels (I think) who passed backwards to Ricketts (I think) who buried the shot.  The lino only then put up his flag; the ref had a lengthy chat and ruled it out for offside.

The ref knew it was a dodgy decision so promptly awarded us a soft penalty.  Now here is where Lowestoft exposed the ref’s lack of control.  Two players stood in the area and questioned where the ball was placed for quite some time.  The ref allowed this to happen and the pressure on Akindayini grew and told as he dispatched a tame spot kick.  The cheating and smug laughing from the visiting supporters sat near me angered the footballing gods and the game swung dramatically in our favour…

No one will know what was going through the Lowestoft’s defender’s mind as the ball was heading out for a goal kick at waste height but something told him to try and catch it… just inside the area.  The ref, almost apologetically, awarded a second penalty which was put away with ease this time by Ricketts.

The silly penalty was a cruel blow for Lowestoft but it was the turn of the Leatherhead fans to laugh smugly when a Smith free kick took a wicked deflection and wrong footed their ‘keeper.

3-1 it ended and the players rewarded the fans by walking straight off to take their applause rather than making us wait while they jog around.

So that is it for two weeks, although there rumours of friendlies...

 

Lowestoft are coming

Today we welcome Lowestoft Town to the Grove, and according to my records this is the first time we have played in a long while.  The chance to play Lowestoft was simply too much for some players, with Sole, Tomi and Charlie (who?) all leaving with some players coming on board in return.

The club will be showing the early FA Cup game featuring our local rivals Merstham if you want to get to the club house early.  There is (strangely) a happy hour for the Chelsea v Everton game and not the FA Cup fixture…

Kick off at 3pm.  See you (and my father-in-law) there!

 

Farewell Kev Terry

The next match for Dorking Wanderers is a league game this Saturday at South Park, in what will be Kev Terry’s final game for Dorking Wanderers as he is moving to Australia having played over 600 matches between Leatherhead Football Club and Dorking Wanderers.

The club will be making a presentation to Kevin after the game, so if any Levred fan fancies a break from the Lowestoft game you are welcome to attend.  If not you can wish him luck via twitter (@trevterry7).

 

Tanners 4 - 3 Forest Green

While sparsely attended, the game proved to be quite entertaining with several boxes ticked.  Win, tick.  Goals throughout the team, tick.  Three goals conceded, tick.

It took a while for Leatherhead to get comfortable with the situation.  Forest Green looked the more likely to open the scoring while we lamented the loss of precious Xbox time. 

Shortly after both sides went close we got our goal.  The new boy from Dulwich receiving the ball at the top of the box and made room to fire into the bottom left hand corner.  Calum made it 2-0 after pouncing on a spilt catch from the ‘keeper.

Two nil up at half time… we’ve been here before.

Forest Green came out determined to put on a show for their two Godalming based supporters who had made the trip.  Their first goal coming from a powerful drive down the right and a low shot into the corner.  The second from a deflected shot that flew up into the air but their player responded first and headed into an empty net.

What was so fantastic about this situation was that, due to low key celebrations, a number of fans had missed one or both the goals so there was varying degrees of happiness as they thought it was 2-0, 2-1 or 2-2.

Shortly after we ironed out the actual score line the visitors were awarded a penalty which was put away to keep our batting average in check.  To be fair these three goals came after Jimmy had made a triple substitution.

Then the fight back.  First Tomi burst into the box and was rewarded with a deflection assisted goal.  Then it was our turn to take a penalty as our player was brought down in the box.  Although the ref was also treating this like a friendly and making some experimental decisions as it looked a bit soft to me.  Sole stepped up to send the 38 people in attendance wild.

On to Lowestoft then, which looks to be ruined by a visit of my mother and father in law…

 

Forest Green are coming

Top Conference side come to the Grove tonight in a hastily arranged friendly to try and get back to winning ways.  As said earlier, if mid-week games were not such of an issue for the Merstham cup tie then perhaps this one would not be needed.

If you are a season ticket holder (or above) the game is free, if not it is just £4.  Kick off at the earlier time of 7.30.

 

Leatherhead 2 - 3 Chesham

So another knock-out competition comes and goes as we lose at home on the first time of asking while conceding the statutory minimum three goals.  It begs the question, why change a “winning” team.  With a league win under our belts last Saturday, why not run out the same team Wednesday?  Why rest them only to lose again on Saturday when there is no game midweek?

Leatherhead got off to a bad start, conceding early to Pearce and putting us on the back foot.  While a free kick from Smith made it interesting it was not long before Pearce regained their lead.

Going into half time at 2-1 down, one could hope for some organisation to be instilled into the team but alas no.  Just eight minutes into the second half we concede again.  A powerful header from Bradbrook did make it interesting but with three goals conceded the most we could hope for was a draw.  The third goal didn’t come and we crash out or two cups in a week.

Lowestoft at the weekend then…

 

Chesham are coming

I'm too jet lagged for this one. I'm tired, disorientated... you write the punchline...
Today we welcome Chesham in the Trophy. Kick off at 3pm. Try not to lose a cup game fellas!

Merstham 4 - 3 Leatherhead

The 1st Team have been doing so well lately in the league that half of them were rewarded with the night off. We don't need the match practice after all and so they had a night in with a take away and watched the Liverpool V Spurs game.

It would only seem fair to similarly reward the U21s who played tonight with a rest and let the U18s have a run out in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

Merstham have decided they are in the big time now and felt that £12 was an appropriate admission fee. I can only assume that the most expensive entrance fee in the league must include keeping the souvenir mug into which my soup was poured.

Anyway, we took an early lead through Sole while Merstham pondered whether it was worth putting a tackle in with the Oxford game just 10 days away. Eventually they decided enough was enough so stretched their legs and scored a couple of goals to go into half time 2-1 up.

Merstham gave the impression throughout that they would be able to do just enough to win this one but they didn't expect 2 quick goals from the visitors. A Sole free kick on 50 mins was deflected into the net to draw us level at 2-2, and then Cobban scored a great goal on 55 mins to give us a surprising lead 3-2.

Merstham don't like losing to Leatherhead and stepped up a gear. Goals on 75 and 88 minutes gave them a 4-3 win and we march on to see play Chesham in the FA Trophy on Saturday hoping to concede less than 3 goals.

Grays 1 -2 Tanners

The Ryman League have made a mistake. This win was surely worth 9 points at least.

It wasn't entirely convincing though. Grays were onto their 3rd goalkeeper of the afternoon and down to 10 men but we were still more nervous than a prostitute in church whilst trying to hold onto a 2-1 lead.

An uneven meadow was not what Jimmy wanted to showcase his protege's passing skills when he ventured into Essex in his white Range Rover but that is exactly what he got.

The travelling hordes of around 10 Levred supporters were scratching their heads to arrive and see Bradbrook, Sol and Mahal on the bench but we just muttered to ourselves about it. None of us could claim to be worth £55,000 a week to play football, no one is capable of playing golf to scratch, and no one has fished for England. Anyway it's not like we were changing a wining side.

A scrappy encounter ensued with the deadlock broken by a well taken free kick by the new boy Ty Smith. Towards the end of the 1st half the Grays keeper went off injured to replaced by what seemed to be a genuine reserve keeper rather than an outfielder. Then, just before half time Grays equalised.

Soon after the re-start a scrappy goal by Kamara saw us take a 2-1 lead. The replacement keeper didn't last too long after that and was sent off for handling the ball outside the box. This sent us into a state of mild panic. The pressure of not beating the bottom side with 10 men and a 3rd choice goalkeeper was almost to much to bear. 

Somehow we held out for the 9 points and go into a League Cup and FA Trophy mid winter break. We sit comfortably outside the relegation zone by one point but having played 38 games more than anyone else.

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead face Grays Athletic today in what is a massive game. The team with the least amount of points host the team who have played the most games.

Leatherhead dominated the home tie at the start of the season but let it slip. If Leatherhead are to survive this season they can't do that again tomorrow.

Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.

Worthing 3 - 2 Tanners

For the neutral this would have been a cracking game.  End to end football played at pace with some fantastic saves and missed chances.

Leatherhead are not making life easy for themselves.  In the opening few minutes it was clear we had not familiarized ourselves with the new artificial surroundings and Worthing tore into us.  A silly free kick was conceded on the edge of the box and they scored from the resulting free kick.  From the view behind the other goal there were some of us who felt they had time to run to the other end and save the looping shot so were puzzled how it beat our returning ‘keeper.

The attacks kept on coming and soon Worthing had doubled their lead.  We failed to deal with an attack down the left and the powerful shot beat the ‘keeper as the ball flew in off of the far post.

Leatherhead did manage to get one back.  A lofted ball into Bradbrook and a deft header sent the ball goal bound.  Normally this would have been saved with ease, but their ‘keeper decided to impersonate a chicken and came out flapping.  The ball trickled in and we had hope at half time.

This hope did not last long.  Jerry fizzed a cross in and Bradbrook tried to adjust his body to get his head on the low ball but his effort flew over the bar from about three yards out.  From the resulting goal kick the ball went down the other end; we won possession and then needlessly gave the ball away to their powerful striker who evaded three tackles before curling a shot into the top right corner.

Then Godman went into beast mode and showed why he was brought back to as our ‘keeper.  He pulled off a string of fantastic saves to prevent the score line becoming embarrassing, but questions need to be asked as to why he was forced into so many saves.

The ‘keeper came to our assistance one more time.  He delayed a clearance which allowed Bradbrook time to chase the ‘keeper down and make a block which fell kindly to Sole.  With an open goal he curled the ball into the side netting.  For Leatherhead to get an unlikely draw we needed their ‘keeper to concede the perfect hat trick and let it go through his legs or something but it didn’t come.

So another game played (we have played the most in the league) and another disappointing result.  On to Grays, which is now classified as a “12 pointer”; at least.

 

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead will have mixed feelings about the weekend.  A draw would have been snapped up at the start of the game but after building a 2-0 lead there will be disappointment in the ranks.

With that comes a midweek trip to the south coast and a visit to our old friends Worthing.  They are mid-table with five more points BUT have a two games in hand and slightly better goal difference.

Kick off at 7.45.  Directions can be found here.  See you there (I think)!

 

Dulwich Hamlet are coming

Leatherhead host our old friends Dulwich Hamlet today. While the club sit just outside the playoff places, their home support is breaking records every week it seems. If just 10% of their support travel then it will be a good gate for Leatherhead.

Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.

Tanners 0 - 1 Havant & Waterlooville

It was a stark contrast to Saturday, where then the players had been instructed to go out and enjoy themselves but last night they were clearly told to be bloody miserable.

It was a far more conservative approach to the game, against a very good visiting team, that was not easy on the eye.  Havant were experienced and patient enough to wait until their goal came while we offered little in the hope of a draw.

I am not saying the ref cost us the game, we were quite impotent, but it couldn’t have helped.  First of all Lopez was brought down and the ref had the good eyesight to spot it happened an inch outside the box.  This eyesight deserted him when Tomi was pulled back inside the box.  He was a ref who loved to “let things go” for both sides but when Sole was fouled and the ball fell to a marked Leatherhead player he shouted advantage.  This advantage quickly disappeared as the marked player was dispossessed and they went down the other end and score. 

Tomi was later booked for diving after riding three poorly timed tackles and then getting clearly tripped.  While the ball had run on slightly beyond him there was clearly contact and a massive mistake by the ref.

Hughes Mason came on and looked dangerous when playing through the middle.  He actually found the net but it was ruled out for offside.  Those fair minded supporters by the bar were convinced it was yet another blunder by the officials.

So Leatherhead lose, albeit to a side that are going to be challenging for top spot, and it may get worse with the visit of old friends Dulwich Hamlet.  Perhaps Bradbrook will be back to reaquaint himself…

Havant & Waterlooville are coming

Tonight we welcome second place Havant & Waterlooville to the Grove, an away fixture that was embarrassingly one sided back in August.

We can perhaps hope for “one of those nights at The Grove” which has seen some fantastic (often 1-0) wins over higher placed opposition.  We will need a fair wind, a kind ref and a host of other things to go in our favour if the second half away at Burgess Hill is anything to go by…

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there.

Burgess Hill Town 3 - 2 Tanners

A large home crowd turned out, in almost stunned silence, to watch a Leatherhead side playing some of the most fluid attacking football seen in the Ryman Premier.. for about 15 minutes.  While it lasted it was breathtaking as we passed the ball from the back, around a hypnotized Burgess Hill, to build attack after attack.

It is true that the shots on goal were low and at one point I was just willing for a reassuring long ball but it was impressive stuff.  From the pressure we got our goal.  The home side did not deal with a corner properly and when the ball was sent back in Jerry was at hand.  Some say it was an own goal, but he was there to apply the pressure so I am putting it down to him.  On 15 minutes, another fine pass from Sole picked out Calum whose shot just went wide.

Then Burgess Hill decided to stop chasing shadows and pressure us more and as a result gained more possession.  While Leatherhead saw out the first half the danger signs were there.

Into the second half and it was clear that the home side were told to chase down everything, and we failed to change our game plan.  As a result we often lost possession due to rushed passes and they applied the pressure.

Leatherhead will look back at the goals and wonder if the result could have been different though.  The first was a penalty.  It looked like two players swung at a bouncing ball and the Burgess Hill player got caught.  The spot kick put away with ease, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way.

While Jimmy has taught us how to play some pretty football, for two games in a row we have let in a goal directly from a corner from the left.  Disappointing.  Calum did pounce on a cross into the box to make it briefly 2-2 we needlessly gave the ball away on the edge of the area and our new ‘keeper was beaten by a well-placed shot.

Hughes Mason came on to try an recreate the drama of Wednesday but alas it was not to be.  Leatherhead suffer defeat again and have the daunting prospect of facing Havant & Waterlooville of Wednesday night.  Any chance of practicing defending corners before then?

Tanners 3 - 3 Leiston

There was initial disappointment at The Grove with the announcement of the team; there was no David Norris nor Tom Bradbrook.  It was like the Dream Team rocking up to Barcelona without Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

The disappointment continued as, despite playing some pretty football around the box, Leiston opened the scoring with a header from a corner.  Leatherhead persisted playing around the box while Leiston played through the middle.  Their striker looking dangerous scoring after bursting into the box and shooting from the right.  Luckily he was also looking a bit wasteful when he missed a one on one and then being denied by our ‘keeper from close range.

Being 2-0 at half time and there was barely a hint of hope but from somewhere a recovery was found.  Leatherhead have clearly been given a mandate to shoot from distance and one finally paid off.  A poorly cleared ball fell to Richard Seixas and his shot kept low (an act that could not be repeated by his team mates), taking a couple of deflections, to beat the ‘keeper.  2-1.  Game on.

Leatherhead’s tails were up and clearly Leiston were worried but not petrified as they still mounted some attacks of their own.  Leatherhead failed to deal with one of these attacks and the weakest of shots appeared to beat our ‘keeper near post.  3-1 with 23 minutes left to go, surely it was over.

Leatherhead and the referee had different ideas.   Not that the ref made bad decisions, not at all!  He just suddenly managed to see a foul in the box as the previous two were deemed to be just inches outside.  Sole steps up and makes it 3-2.

Leiston started to play it into the corners to waste time now but with a minute left one of their players, who could have run unchecked to the corner, decided to cross.  This was cut out and we built are last two or three attacks with the possession.  It was with the last try we scored. 

A perfectly weighted ball found Hughes-Mason, who had already struck the post moments earlier.  One on one with the ‘keeper he skipped past him; all he had to do was put it into the net; all he had to do was control it; surely now he could shoot; he needed another touch; then take a stumble; then coolly dispatched the shot from a tighter angle than anyone behind the goal would have liked.  It went in though and Leatherhead went wild, casting aside the ghost of Folkestone where we suffered the same fate.  The ref then allowed just one touch from Leiston before blowing for full time.

Entertaining stuff, in the end.  Off to Burgess Hill on Saturday then…

 

Leiston are coming

Spare a thought for our visitors; as I type they are probably already one hour into their journey for tonight’s game.  After securing a much needed win we now host the current league leaders, Leiston.

Perhaps an even bigger crowd than the 308 that saw Jimmy’s debut can be expected with the signing of David Norris…

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there.

 

AFC Sudbury 1 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead get their first win under Jimmy Bullard but as he was sent off does it count?

Two Academy players scored to set up the first win. Lopez in the first half, Davis in the second.

There was plenty of drama. There was an equaliser for the home side; also Jimmy and Bradbrook were sent off for questioning the referee's decision making and parentage.

Travelling Tanners

To celebrate 10 years since we reached the FA Cup first round, the league have arranged a re-match.  Today we take on AFC Sudbury away.

Under Jimmy we are taking an even more star studded look with the arrival of David Norris.  I hope the playing budget is under control as the ball will be at his feet…

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

 

Tanners 0 - 1 Staines Town

A second messiah arrived at Fetcham Grove on Wednesday night but it was not enough to avoid a home defeat to a very well organised Staines Town.

Tom Bradbrook may have lost his clippers but hopefully not his cutting edge as his hard man crew cut has been replaced by barely recognisable foppish hair. I believe this was his first game of the season after un-retiring and so it will take him a few games to regain his sharpness.

This game also proved a trial for Jimmy as Staines had no problem evicting most of our balls into the box. In the first half Bradders got onto the end of a couple of crosses but his powerful headers went wide and Sole sent a free kick just wide. It was a competitive first half and ended with honours fairly even.

Straight after the restart a Staines player ran through our defence and fired into the corner. We remained lively but created few clear cut chances and Staines fairly comfortably saw out the 2nd half for a 1-0 win.

It's on to Sudbury on Saturday and the scene of the famous Dave Stevens hand ball that lead to an appearance in the FA Cup 1st round proper. The residents along the A12 are hoping that their gardens won't be watered this time.

Staines Town are coming

For Jimmy to be taken seriously for the England job he will have to do at least two things. Firstly, avoid any meetings with any Far / Middle East and businessmen; and then get his first win tonight.

How old friends Staines Town come tonight and we can hope for more of the same attacking football showed in the first half and perhaps less for fading in the second.

Kickoff at 7:45. Good luck, from Romania.

Tanners 1 - 1 Needham Market

It was another case of what could have been at The Grove as we let a slender lead slip again.  Not quite in the same agonising fashion as midweek but it must still be disappointing to the new manager.

The first half went rather well for Leatherhead.  The new players have certainly made a difference and for the first time the season we looked confident with players demanding the ball, notably Rash Kamara who was beating players throughout the game.

I also wonder if Evander Lopes was the U21 player Jimmy “liked the look of” as his introduction to the first team was also a highlight,  It was from his drive into the box that we won the penalty; coolly dispatched but Sole.

The first half ended with Leatherhead fans rightly optimistic.  We were playing good football from the back and perhaps we could hope for more goals in the second half…

These goals didn’t come for Leatherhead.  Sole was suddenly playing a bit deeper and Tomi, who had worked so hard at closing down defenders in the first half, lost his way.  Ultimately that meant we had no real credible goal scoring threat.

Needham then sent on two pairs of fresh legs and the pressure was on resulting in an inevitable equaliser.  The ball powered home for within the box.

Leatherhead did rally to bring some excitement into the final 5-10 minutes but Needham were able to keep us at bay and take a point.

Can we go two points better on Wednesday with the visit of Staines Town..?

 

Needham Market are coming

Let’s have it right.  Jimmy Bullard takes charge of his first league home game after the disappointment of the midweek last minute equaliser.

Needham Market are a side we failed to deal with last year when they were relatively poor in the league.  My advice would have been to look after the big lad upfront but there must be more to them this season as they sit in the play-off places.  A tough game to start with in front of what could be a big crowd.

The club have responded with happy hours and a chance to meet the man himself after the game.  I myself am holding out for an invitation to go fishing with him…

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Folkestone 1 - 1 Tanners

Ex-Tanner Draycott popped up with a last minute equaliser to spoil the perfect start for Jimmy Bullard. 

Leatherhead, who have been thoroughly outclassed away from home so far this season, gave a good account for themselves.  Striking the woodwork early on and their ‘keeper was certainly the busier.  That said we could not take advantage of our chances and we went into half time 0-0.

Leatherhead again started well and Ben Francis scored on his debut.  If his arrival had anything to do with the new manager you could imagine there would have been a smile from ear to ear when that goal went in.

Any smile that was there was soon wiped off as Ian Draycott pounced in the last minute and took advantage of a nervous Leatherhead.  Perhaps what was more sickening was their ‘keeper had been forced into two good saves moments earlier.

Still.  Our first point away and the chance to take on Needham Market at The Grove presents itself on Saturday…

 

Travelling Tanners

What a surreal week it has been with the appointment of Jimmy Bullard and all the media attention, the likes of which we have not seen since we qualified for the first round proper of the FA Cup.

Now there is work to do with the trip to Folkestone, a midweek trip that would have previously meant a handful of supporters braving the M25 but I can see that increasing considerably.  Our hosts have doubled our tally of points for the season with 10 points.  Oh to avoid defeat for the first time on the road.

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

 

Dorking Wanderers are coming

Set your alarms as Marc White is having his interview for the manager position at 10.30 tomorrow, it's just £4 to watch.
We welcome Dorking Wanderers in this hastily arranged fixture as we both suffered FA Cup defeats.

What a night

It has been a busy night at Fetcham Grove.  First of all we were reminded that we host Walton Casuals tomorrow in the League Cup (kick off at 7.45), and then we are informed of a Sandmann’s departure.

The timing is strange as we had just brought in a few players but results and second half performances were simply not going his way.  I am sure we all wish him well.

 

Billericay 4 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead make it five away losses from five attempts following yet another second half disaster.  Game after game I find myself writing the same bloody thing; good first half but things go wrong from the off in the second.

Leatherhead did take the lead.  Hughes-Mason finding the net at last after we won the ball and broke away.  Leatherhead couldn’t quite see the half out and conceded a penalty to make it 1-1 at half time.

To be fair Leatherhead did put up a bit of a fight in the second half but failed to adjust to a double substitution and so conceded two quick goals.  Leatherhead looked to maybe get at least a point on the road when a red card was shown for deliberate handball on the line.  With the penalty scored it was now 3-2 and we had our tails up.

This one man advantage did not actually materialize into any real chances and insult was added to injury when the 10 men of Billericay did what we should have done and score to make it 4-2.

Looks like we have the week off… there are rounds in the FA Cup beyond the First Qualifying apparently…

Travelling Tanners

A bit of a six pointer it seems as we travel to Billericay tomorrow in the league.  Leatherhead are looking to get any kind of joy away from home.  Four trips and we have three league defeats and the FA Cup loss of last week.

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

The Longest Day

Hythe Town 1 – 0 Tanners

I had a long time to contemplate the point of going to this game.  My wife often asks me “we do you bother?” and normally I have the answer, but that question would have sent my eyes staring firmly down at my nervously shuffling feet.  Defeat was inevitable as the journey was long.  To be fair the effort was there, unlike FA Cup ties over the last three years.  The players genuinely looked like they cared but simply were not good enough to beat a confident team with form on their side.

The first half was summarised as “it could have been worse”.  Those who braved the average journey time of three hours and remember South Park last year were at least rewarded with some attempts on goal.  While Hythe gave us the initial scare we probably edged the opening 45 minutes.  Hughes-Mason headed onto the post from a tight angle and Sole found the back of the net after the ‘keeper had spilled it but it was ruled out for offside.

Second half and it must have another Sandman halftime talk performed as a lullaby as there was only one team likely to win this game.  Hythe certainly overran us in midfield and poor Hughes-Mason is pushed so far out on the wing in an unnatural position he may as well run the bar.  Tomi was having a good game though, using his power to hold up the ball and make runs into the box.  There was more than a shout for a penalty when Tomi won the ball outside the box, beat a defender and then was brought down in the box.  The ref blew for a foul but gave it as a free kick outside the box, perhaps seeing the smallest of fouls he had played on from…

Leatherhead did have their moments, in fact it was from a piece of rare Leatherhead pressure that Hythe scored.  Breaking away from a corner and slotting the ball under our ‘keeper.  Leatherhead did try and respond.  A couple of substitutions allowed Mahal to come forward and in the dying moments Tomi dragged a shot agonizingly wide.  The last five minutes was probably our best spell in the game but it was too little, too late.  The two and a half hour drive home did at least give us time to contemplate what went wrong of which there was much.

Travelling Tanners

Well.  What should be an exciting weekend, with the FA Cup clash against Hythe, has suddenly become a little bit disappointing.  Firstly, it is the FA Cup and Leatherhead haven’t put up much of a fight in this competition in recent years.  Secondly, the route is going to need some smart navigation as the M20 is closed for the whole weekend.

Putting those two elephants in the room aside it should be a good clash.  Hythe are in the league below but are going well; we are in the league above and while struggling we just got our first win.  Could this even be a new ground?  It will be for me… if I ever get there…

Directions can be found here.  Kick off that 3pm.  See you there (I hope)!

 

Tanners 3 - 0 Merstham

'o sole, o' sole milo, sta nfronte a te

Finally the sun was upon Leatherhead yesterday and particularly upon the face of Sole who put in a match winning performance to score 2 goals to secure our first win of the season.

Merstham have had a similarly difficult start to the season and they had nothing to crow about after this one which will have been hard to swallow for Hayden Bird who was left raven mad after two swift early goals left him with plenty to grouse about. Sole had showed his free kick potential in earlier games and on just 4 minutes he smashed one into the net off the underside of the bar.

Merstham couldn't handle Jerry at all in the box from set pieces, and on 14 minutes the referee blew for a fowl after a Merstham defender pulled Jerry off in the box. Sole strode up confidently and converted the penalty on 14 minutes to further ruffle Merstham feathers.

Merstham had plenty of possession and lots of energy but rarely created goal scoring opportunities. On 44 minutes it was Jerry's tern to score when swooped on a corner to send us into the break 3-0 up.

In the 2nd half we should have had a 2nd penalty when a defender handled the ball to prevent a goal-bound shot but the referee followed the unwritten rule of only one penalty per side per match. The win moves us out of the bottom 4 and gives us a much needed boost for the trip to Hythe and the chance of FA Cup glory.

 

Harrow 3 - 1 Tanners

A Leatherhead capitulation in the second half made way for yet another defeat on the road after having the better of the first half.

Harrow should have opened the scoring perhaps.  A cross was met in front of goal with a firmly placed headed but it went narrowly over.  Leatherhead were in an attacking mood with Calum, Sole and Tomi looking the brightest.  It was through those three that the opening goal was scored.  A Calum cross, Sole flick on and Tomi on hand to strike it into the back of the net.  1-0 and all was well with the world.

Well apart from the ref.  Booking our player for taking too long to take a throw in while their ‘keeper could tell his player to leave it in the corner and take a slow goal kick.  We were booked for jumping in front of a ‘keeper kicking it out of his area yet an elbow to the head warranted only a talking to.

Second half and I don’t know what Sandman said to them but I can only imagine it was said with Sade playing softly in the background.  Right from the off Harrow wanted it more and we had no answers.  First minute of the second half a cross was put away.

Leatherhead appeared to believe it was just a formality and showed no real sense of urgency.  Calum nearly proved that thinking right when he slid in to tap in but went all Paul Gascoigne and the ball rolled just beyond him.  Shortly after their striker was through and powerfully struck in his second.

What is so frustrating is seeing Ryan Mahal, last year’s player of the season, stuck at right back when he was such an attacking threat.  Especially when you have Hughes-Mason being asked to do a job out on the left that he is clearly not enjoying.  Yet while we were impotent down the wings we did very little to change it, waiting far too long to change what was so bleeding obvious.

So we made a change which, to be fair to Sandman, made very little difference so I can imagine that is why we waited so long.  To add insult to injury the centre back and ‘keeper decided not to talk to each other but mime the desire for a hopeful ball down the middle.  As a result no one collected except for the hat trick hero who walked it into an open net.

A complete shambles watched by only a handful of travelling supporters.  On to Merstham on Monday…

 

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead go into tomorrow’s game looking for their first win.  Unlucky at home and outclassed away has been the early tone of the season.

Harrow Borough hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for us, not helped by MCS who always seems to score against us, but they are not far away from us in terms of points.  A win could make all the difference.

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

 

Tanners 1 - 1 Worthing

For the second home game Leatherhead have thrown away a 1-0 goal lead to pass up a chance to grab their first win.  It lacked the same convincing dominance that we demonstrated over Grays but we had headed ourselves in front and conspired to throw it away.

The first half started brightly for Leatherhead.  Sole having the best of the chances but never really troubled the ‘keeper.  Worthing grew into the game and ended the half looking the keener.

Second half and Leatherhead got their goal.  A corner swung in and the ‘keeper seemed to get boxed in with Lloyd Harrington at hand to head in off of the bar.  Worthing seemed to hurry up as up until that point in the second half they appeared to settle for the draw.

Then the moment that disappointed me the most.  A 50 50 ball down the right wing saw Worthing’s winger confronted with an oncoming Semakula.  If ever you wanted a player to be in that position it would be your defensive midfielder.  Inexplicably though he backed out, much to the surprise of the winger who kept the ball in play; swung in a cross; and from the resulting play the ball was struck in off of the post.

Worthing then slowed up the play and we failed to get the winning goal, despite some good free kick taking from Sole.

So it is a trip to Harrow Saturday and a chance to catch up with our old mate MCS…

 

Worthing are coming

Tonight sees our old friends Worthing come to the Grove after their sabbatical in the lower league comes to an end. They have started well: we haven't started well.

Kick off at 7.45. See you there.

Canvey 3 - 0 Tanners

Leatherhead were blown away at the weekend with a disastrous trip to Canvey Island.  The hosts won the toss and with gale force winds blowing towards one goal they opted shoot with the wind to their back and place Leatherhead under early pressure.  That early pressure told after just 8 minutes when we conceded a penalty.  Martin Tuohy stepping up to put away the spot kick. 

Tuohy got his second as the half was drawing to a close to create the cushion they were looking for in anticipation for Leatherhead’s turn to use the wind…

Leatherhead, with the wind forcing Canvey deep into their own half, had the lion share of the possession but did not quite have the quality to create good chances.  The host’s ‘keeper perhaps making two or three saves.  To add insult to injury Canvey proved it is possible to score upwind and made it 3-0, Tuohy getting his hat trick.

Not a great day but time to focus on the surprise league leaders.  Worthing are coming Wednesday!

Travelling Tanners

Two sides go into Saturday's game like looking for their first win, with Canvey Island just one goal better on goal difference.

We played a tough side midweek, let's hope to bounce back with our first win.

Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.

Havant & Waterlooville 3 - 1 Tanners

This game puts the draw against Grays into perspective a little as we looked less creative against a side that are favourites to win the league.  The endeavour we saw down the wings were replaced with hopeful balls over the top that were largely gathered to safety.

The home side did not need to wait long for their goal.  A ball was lofted to the far post and our right back completely lost his man to allow a free header.  Leatherhead were not without their chances though.  New signing Sole tested the ‘keeper and had Tomi been more aware he may have latched onto to a corner moments later.

Second half and the hosts controlled the game with us barely having a chance but for the last 10 minutes where the damage was done.  Their second goal coming from a corner and headed into the back of the net.

The third goal showed the gap between the two sides.  In the first half Paul Semakula was through on goal and his shot from the edge of the box was weak and hit towards the near post.  Havant & Waterlooville brought on an ex-Pompey player who in a similar position hit a powerful shot that flew in off of the far post.

Leatherhead did rally with only pride to play for and Calum Davies made enough room to fire home a consolation goal.  Perhaps he should have been put on sooner rather than some senior players…

On to Canvey Island where you can book your coach travel by looking for the details on the message board.

Travelling Tanners

I am quite looking forward to this fixture tonight.  It is not a new ground for me but Havant & Waterlooville are good club (albeit a bit too close to Portsmouth for my liking) so it’s great to be in the same league as them.

Their opening game of the season did not go well.  Having made the long journey to Leiston they were soundly beaten 3-1.

Kick off at 7.45.  Directions can be found here.  See you there!

FA Cup Draw

Leatherhead will face Sittingbourne or Hythe Town away in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round. 

Game to played on Saturday 3rd September… good draw for us?

 

Tanners 1 - 1 Grays

Leatherhead put up a spirited performance that deserved more at the weekend.  On the back of everyone’s mind was how the reduction of playing budget would affect the squad but the early signs show they can be competitive and put on an attacking display.  The first half Leatherhead dominated and really should have scored but somehow the final touch seemed to elude them.

The start of the second half could not have gone any better.  After discussing Tomi in the bar as being a potential source of goals he popped up to score a sensational goal to allay the fears of any doubters.  The ball sat up nicely for him on the edge of the box and he put his laces through it to send it dipping over the stranded ‘keeper.

Leatherhead pressed on and we felt we could have had a couple of penalties.  One for a trip that was conveniently adjudged to be on the line; the next for a handball when a sliding defender appeared to prevent a cross with his arm.

We then lost our way and invited Grays to press.  They got their goal from a low cross that perhaps should have been cut out but our ‘keeper was beaten to the ball and it was prodded in via the near post.  Grays then went on to celebrate like they had won the league.  Given they were only 60 minutes into a new season it perhaps indicates they feel they are in for a hard ride.

Leatherhead responded with the best chance falling to Hughes Mason.  A spectacular side bicycle kick that was hit with power but straight at the ‘keeper.  The only thing left to do in the game was moan at the ref for seemingly being unable to count out ten yards from free kicks.

Not a bad start but a trip to Havant & Waterlooville is just around the corner…

 

Grays Athletic are coming

A new board of directors and a new season as we welcome Grays Athletic to the Grove tomorrow.  Pre-season results have been good where most of the noise has been of slashing of budgets.  This season could go one of two ways…

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Faversham are coming

Like an idiot I didn’t check Twitter before making the journey to South Park and therefore turned up to find the place in darkness.  I think “waterlogged pitch” was a slight exaggeration, but understandably the hosts did not want their pitch cut up in a friendly.

Without the midweek game that just leaves one more friendly to prepare for the season and that is the visit of Faversham on Saturday.  The Ryman Division One South side having enjoyed a credible run of results in their own pre-season friendlies.

Kick off at 3pm.  Consult the Official site for prices etc.

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead return to the scene of the crime tonight.  A trip back to South Park where we put in one of the worst FA Cup performances of all time last year.  Second perhaps to the replay where our hosts thoroughly outplayed us and deservedly went through.

So, can we visit South Park and get a positive outcome?  After an 1-0 win against AFC Hornchurch and a draw against Maidstone perhaps we can…

Kick off at 7.45.  Directions can be found here.