Game off

Table reservations in the Sai Restaurant are cancelled as Raynes Park Vale flick the switch on tonight's game.

They have a floodlight issue (we've been there) which cannot be resolved as the pitch is too wet to get a cherry-picker on there.

Game to be re-arranged...

Tanners 0 - 3 Dorking Wanderers

This is exactly why I hate the Trophy; you start to get a little bit excited and you then lose to a Conference South side... and so it happened.

There is much to be pleased about though.  The two wins and good attendance will no doubt help the finances and the performance was not as bad as the score line suggests.  Dorking were just a lot more clinical.

Before the game there was a good atmosphere around Fetcham Grove.  Ex-Leatherhead legend Macca was in the bar, desperately searching for Gary Neville or Jamie Carragher to do an interview on the pitch with.

Finally the game got underway and Leatherhead looked the part although rarely troubled Dorking's 'keeper.  Meanwhile at the other end, a wrong choice of studs (perhaps) cost us the opening goal as Will Salmon slipped on the wet pitch to allow a free run on goal... 0-1.

As the first half came to a close the best chance fell to Tommy Wood but he failed to take it.

Second half and Leatherhead continued to get the ball out wide well but got absolutely no joy in front of goal.  We pressed for the equaliser and added the attacking threat of DSane... what he added in attack he took away in defensive balance and the floodgates opened.

Two quick goals saw me heading to the car with five minutes to spare only to hear of a late Arsenal equaliser.  Bloody FA Trophy.

On to the Surrey Senior.  A proper competition!

Dorking Wanderers are coming!

For some this is the biggest game of the season, for others it is like a trip of MK Dons to Luton... either way a chance to earn some welcome funds is at stake tomorrow as we face Dorking Wanderers in the FA Trophy tomorrow.

A fine winning run came to an end in comprehensive fashion, with a disastrous trip to East Thurrock last weekend.  Perhaps the boot up the backside we needed before tomorrow's game.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

East Thurrock 3 - 0 Tanners

Leatherhead were better off without me.  After a few weeks away I returned to watch our 8 game winning run come to an end.

Leatherhead set out with no real width, forcing the ball down the middle up to Ibz and down the throat of the East Thurrock defence.

Their opening goal was simple.  A ball into the feet of their striker, who turned smartly and fired his shot past Zak.

The second half saw Leatherhead offer very little despite making three changes.  Our hosts went on to score two late goals to completely ruin the day.

Next week it is the visit of Dorking... 

Tanners 2 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals

Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, Corinthian Casuals walked into ours in the middle of a phenomenal winning run. And it was a case of play it again Nikki as we made it 8 consecutive wins. Here's looking at you, Kid.

For those not in Casablanca, we got off to a perfect start after just 30 seconds when Eddie Dsane put us into the lead after a poor clearance by a Casual defence. It looked like this would be a comfortable win when ex Tanner Emanuel Agboola meekly saved a shot straight into the path of Ibrahim.

After that it all went a bit wrong. We seemed to lose our shape and frequently lost possession allowing Casuals to get one back just before half time.

In the 2nd half we were very fortunate that Zak at the back continued to save a very high percentage of the shots on the goal on the goal. Casuals piled on the pressure but Jerry stayed firm. Nikki was considering sitting down in his frustration but he just about held out for the final whistle.

Round up the usual suspects for the next league game on Saturday in the East of Thurrock, but whatever happens we'll always have Paris.

Needham Market 1 - 2 Tanners

The Leatherhead juggernaut rolled up the A12 into Suffolk and returned with £3,000 and a brand new combine harvester to make it 7 consecutive wins.

Tommy Wood may have been recalled to AFC Wimbledon but there is no stopping The Tanners at the moment. Confidence and commitment is coursing through the veins. A Burger King was making its way through mine.

Chloe had boldly predicted a 3-1 result whereas Woody was more concerned about keeping his spam head warm as he had foolishly travelled without a nice warm woolly hat. 

Fixture congestion is piling up as we are still competing on 4 fronts. There is a chance we may need to play the Surrey Senior Cup in Raynes Park and the FA Trophy in Weymouth within 24 hours.  Nikki stated that no decision has yet been made about who would sit in the dugout at Raynes Park. 

Goals from Ibrahim and Travis and another strong defensive performance ensured we progress to the 3rd Qualifying Round when the National League South teams enter the competition. 

Those who love a day trip will be hoping we travel to Taunton or Weymouth or Bath. Others will hope we play Hemel Hempstead for the chance to whirl our shirts above our heads, chat about long term plans, and reminisce about the Chike Kandi transfer.

Just as long as it isn't Dulwich Hamlet. Not everyone has moved on.

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead make the long journey to Needham Market in fine form.  Leatherhead sides of the past would have slipped up in the Surrey Senior Cup or crumbled under the pressure we were under last weekend but we have gone on to notch up a fine string of wins.

Today it is the Trophy and we face a Needham Market side that sit in 15th place in their respective league.

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

Travelling Tanners

I thought I would be sounding the New Ground Klaxon today but inexplicably I went to Bishop's Stortford in 2003.  I wonder if we will go today such is the weather forecast for the rest of the day.

Leatherhead are on a fine run of form and would no doubt love to get this game on.

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