Tanners 0 - 2 Bowers & Pitsea

If symptoms of the Omicron Variant are a sense of abject defeat and depression then about 300 Leatherhead residents will need to go into isolation.  Today was horrible.  Again.

It didn't start to badly but when Bentley and Carrington limped off injured any threat we had disappeared and we would be lucky to come out with a 0-0 draw.

This hope was soon dashed when we conceded our 197th penalty of the season to go 1-0 down.  Not long after it was 2-0 and some supporters were already heading to the train station.

Plan C may mean Leatherhead's next few games could be called off...  as Leatherhead are already on Plan F this should come as welcome relief.

Bowers & Pitsea are coming!

The fourth of four must-win games comes around just before Christmas.  The shuffling of the Boxing Day action means we do not face Ks until the New Year so it would be great to get back to back wins before settling down to the turkey.

While Bowers & Pitsea sit higher up the table, they are just one of a couple of teams that have scored less than us.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there! 

Potters Bar 3 - 4 Tanners

For any side to come back from 3-1 down to win 4-3 it would be a good result but when you are bottom of the table it is massive.

It looked all too familiar with Leatherhead conceding an early goal and despite pulling one back we soon found ourselves 3-1 down.  We needed a miracle.

If there is one thing more precise than Matt Bentley's finishing and that is his paperwork.  Since the expertly-filled forms were sent to the league he has scored 4 goals in 4 games, with the two coming in this vital game.  His last minute winner caused wild scenes not seen before this year.

Alex Sami returned to the team and found the back of the net for our third goal and having another scorer to hand will come in very handy with the visit of Bowers & Pitsea next Saturday...

Travelling Tanners

This is the third of four must win games with a trip to Potters Bar Town; wins so far in this series? None.

A new start, with Julien solely in charge and a more settled side.

Kick off at 3pm.  Good luck fellas.

Spineless 0 - 2 Brightlingsea Regent

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone;prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone; silence the pianos and with muffled drum; bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.  Leatherhead's season is over.

There is not a single positive from today's game.  A game where there was talk of attacking from the whistle we offered nothing.  Lacklustre on the pitch and silent on the bench.

We could have had a penalty early on but that was as good as it got in terms of chances.  A shout for a penalty.  A team that tore into Carshalton couldn't muster one attack of note.

Meanwhile our goal difference declines further as we allow them to score twice; a goal in each half.  I was watching the game when they scored first but somehow missed it, so innocuous was their attack.  I wished I wasn't watching when the second went in.

To make matters worse, the results elsewhere go against us to top off a terrible day.

Brightlingsea Regent are coming!

Two sides that have conceded 95 goals between them battle it out today in this relegation battle.

Leatherhead's performance at Carshalton where we scored three goals against one of the toughest defences in the league give us hope going into this game.

Ian Holloway arrives to bring light relief to calm the nerves from 1pm.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Walton & Hersham 2 - 1 Tanners

As with last year, we crash out to lower opposition on a disappointing night.  The performance against Carshalton gave us real hope we could repeat the display tonight but enforced changes meant it was a very different side.

Leatherhead set themselves out playing short balls from the back and stuck to the game plan even into the dying minutes where something more direct might have got us a goal.

Set pieces were our downfall.  An early freekick sailed straight in and not soon after another one found a home player to tap it home.  We spent the rest of the second half looking second best.

I then had one of the worst Boardroom experiences of my life with cold tea arriving late.  My complaints fell on deaf ears when I returned behind the goal to rejoin the Tanners faithful.

Second half we did pick it up.  Matt Bentley looks like one hell of a player and he led the line with the few chances that we had.  He finally found the back of the net with a smart finish but it was not enough.

Leatherhead can moan about the officials but there wasn't enough on show to believe we were robbed in any way.

Out of the cup but the game was always going to be played in the shadow of Saturday.  A home game where so much is riding on...

Twittering Tanners

What he said...  SOCKER SOLSTICE is declared.

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

Carshalton 3 - 3 Tanners

When you go to one of the toughest defences in the league and score three, things must be on the up.  We would have taken a point at the start but come away feeling like it was a loss.

Leatherhead started brightly and looked like a team at last.  Pressing high, they forced Carshalton into an error and Bakare pounced on it.  There was still plenty to do but his precise finish gave the 'keeper no chance.

"Bakare can finish" was still ringing in my ears when he completely missed the ball on the edge of the box.  It bounced off of his standing leg into open space where two defenders tackled each other to hand the ball back to Bakare who, this time made no mistake.

Leatherhead have not had the best of luck in some instances and there was no change today.  A clear handball in the centre was missed and Carshalton's tricky no 11 (without him they would have no real threat) went on a solo run and scored.  Matt Bentley thought he had found the bottom corner but the 'keeper pulled of an amazing save.  Corner?  No, the ref gave a goal kick.

Second half and Carshalton started the better team.  We held on for 10 minutes before we regained composure.  Then Matt Bentley opened his account; cutting in from the left hand side and bending a shot in off of the far post.  3-1.  In the bag, surely.

Steve Brown started watching from behind the goal and this boosted the home side.  Only for a couple of minutes but enough to see the three points slip away.  Carshalton won possession in our half and fired in a cross for a tap-in.  Then the ref awarded Carshalton a freekick from nothing, albeit on the halfway line, and their long ball found a player out on the left who created some space and fired it in.

Walton & Hersham on Monday.  I was at training on Thursday and I made it quite clear just how important this game is for us.  I am promised a full squad with few changes...

Travelling Tanners

Another tough challenge today as we travel to Carshalton Athletic.  A well placed side lost to a revitalised Horsham in the week which will no doubt focus their minds.

Player turnover has been a concern for the fans, understandably, but there is hope that this is the last of the reshuffles…

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Tanners 1 - 3 Horsham

There are two great reasons to watch Leatherhead at the moment. 

Firstly, you can sit on the terrace and finish your Music homework. Secondly, there is no better place to meet new people than the Leatherhead dressing room.

Horsham made it to the first round proper of the FA Cup and they took a while to adjust to our style of football. It wasn't until the 4th minute that they took the lead, and they failed to capitalise until the 19th minute. They made it 3 soon after and it looked like we were in for a good hiding.

However Micheal Bakare got a goal back before half time finishing with the style of a Sadio Mane, when he was put clean through with plenty of work still to do.

Bash or Q or Julien (or all 3) must had a firm but polite and respectful word at half time as the 2nd half was a far more competitive affair and we looked much better organised and composed. This annoyed Charlie Hester Cook so much that the referee suggested he leave the pitch 10 mins early.

Plenty of work for the coaching team to do this week in attempt to avoid defeat at Carshalton as it doesn't look like 8 points will be enough to stay up.

Horsham are coming!

This is the big one.  At the start of the season this would already have been one of our biggest games of the season.  Now that it is worth six points, it is twice the size...

Leatherhead have been busy and welcome five - five! - new signings while Horsham have bounced back from their league-lull with a 6-0 win.

Kick off at 3pm.  Advisable to buy online tickets to avoid queues.  Only the speed of my electrician is keeping me from this game so (hopefully) see you there!

Tanners 0 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals

The trouble with playing Corinthian-Casuals is even a confident Leatherhead, with a string of wins under their belt, could lose to our bogey team.  In truth we were totally outplayed and looked quite out of our depth.

As they lined up I fancied our chances.  Our guests did not look as physically big as our new crop of players and for the first 15 minutes we snapped away and dominated the game. 15 minutes.  That is where the positives end.

From them on our visitors dictated the tempo of the game and we chased shadows.  Our passing became more desperate and long balls played into space where no Leatherhead player had even thought it would have been a good idea to run into.

Their first-half goal was as brilliant as it was simple.  A pass pushed through the centre of the area into the feet of a striker who slipped the ball into the bottom left while under pressure.

Second half and we were completely at sea and I often look to the bench to see if any direction or encouragement is being given.  Nothing.  You couldn't see them for their massive long jackets that you only see in non-league football.

Leatherhead then went on to concede their 233rd penalty of the season to make it 2-0.

Horsham arrive on Saturday.  A side free of the distraction of the FA Cup and who scored 6 against relegation rivals... massive improvements needed.

Corinthian-Casuals are coming

Another big game tomorrow as Leatherhead look for their first home win of the season.  A touch of revenge too as they knocked us out of the FA Cup.  This may allow us to see how far we have come under the new management team as we didn't lay a glove on them in the replay.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Tanners 1 - 2 Cheshunt

The night could not have started better for me; chilli, chips and grated cheese was new on the menu and it was a sensation.  The game, too, got off to a good start.  We looked lively and when their 'keeper fluffed a clearance straight to Aderi, he was sharp enough to get a shot away and make it 1-0.

Leatherhead had a determined look about them and maintained a highline and kept our guests in their own half.  As the game wore on, much like the world record line in swimming, that line edged closer to our own goal and so our defending became a little more desperate.

Ser pieces were ultimately our downfall.  In the first half a corner evaded our defence and was prodded home and the second half it was a free header from a free kick.

We gave a good account of ourselves up until the second goal but as the game went on we lost any kind of attacking formation and it became more comfortable for Cheshunt to control.

The first home win of the season still eludes us but two key games are on the horizon...

Cheshunt are coming!

Midweek football returns to the Grove with eighth place - yes, eighth place again - Cheshunt making the journey from the top of the M25.

Saturday's win brings us fresh confidence, but confidence can be a fragile creature.

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

East Thurrock United 0 - 2 Tanners

Hold the bloody phone, Tanners notch up their first win since the opening game of the season and keep a clean sheet to boot!

After a pretty stale first half, Leatherhead came out with more purpose in the second.  As time ticked on things were getting nervous, we've all been here before, but then on came a player to make a name for himself.  Arthur Aderi.

In the 84th minute a ball was swung in from the right and met at the back post.  This was saved but the ball spun on the line and our new man pounced.  For once there was no offside flag or an official seeing a non-existent handball.  In it went and those that made the trip went wild.

 1-0 up with 6 minutes to go is no sure thing for Leatherhead but our man popped up again and made the game safe.

Now we welcome Cheshunt to the Grove on Tuesday, as we play a side in 8th place...

Travelling Tanners

If Southampton can win two games in a row there is hope for any side looking for their first win since the opening game of the season.  Today's game could not be bigger; a six pointer if ever there was one.  East Thurrock are one of only two sides, other than us, who have a goal difference in the negative 20s and sit just two places above us.

I can't make this game and my son turns seventeen - seventeen! - today and, strangely, he hasn't named a trip to Thurrock as something he wants to do.

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

Leyton Orient are coming!

While Leatherhead crashed out of the FA Trophy, Leatherhead Youth U18s provide some excitement in the FA Youth Cup tonight in the First Round Proper.

Both the bar and Tea Bar will be open.  Entry £6 adults and £4 concessions.  Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

Travelling Tanners

The FA Trophy beckons today as we travel to Faversham.  I am blatantly going to steal some online research here, when I tell you we have faced each other four times at the Aquatherm Stadium and the stats are one win, two draws and one loss; the win being a 2-0 win in the FA Trophy.

Financially this competition could make a big difference to Leatherhead and we are certainly gathering players that could allow us to progress; even with the loss of Will Salmon to Lewes.

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

Tanners 2 - 3 Merstham

Leatherhead suffered a disappointing defeat in the Mick Sullivan derby... and it was all going so well.

Chid opened the scoring to give the home support real hope out luck had changed.  A defence splitting pass burst onto by Chid who nodded coolly home. Seen only by loyal supporters who hadn't fled to Cornwall.

It was then made 1-1 when the Tanners conceded a needless penalty.  Up steps an ex-Tanner; Bowman got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out.  

We then found ourselves  2-1 down due to a huge mistake by our defence.  The player in question,  despite being 8ft tall, couldn't head the ball gifted merstham a second.

Leatherhead struck back and what a strike.  Sami from distance took aim and found the underside of the bar via the desperate dive of the 'keeper.   Game on.

Game off.  The second half was not pretty from a Leatherhead perspective as we failed to really threaten.  Then the controversy as Bowman came out to punch the ball and did under pressure from a Merstham player.  The two players came together but the ref was on a penalty bonus so awarded another one (the second time we have conceded two penalties in a game this season) and up steps another ex-Tanner to make it a painful 3-2.

A break from the league but onto the complete waste of time that is the FA Trophy.

Merstham are coming!

This is it.  The big one.  The Mick Sullivan Derby.  A few weeks ago, this looked like a real six pointer but wouldn't you ruddy believe it but our visitors score a harmful of goals and push on.

Leatherhead were unlucky not to get more on the road last week and have trained twice with this game in mind.  Oh, Sami is back.

Kick off at 3pm.  Good luck fellas!

Hornchurch 1 - 1 Tanners

Only a few brave Leatherhead fans made this trip, but those who went were rewarded by a goal, a hard working performance, a point and a handshake at the end of the game.

Leatherhead looked a different side today.  Guilty of giving the ball away still but now they work hard to defend and threaten when in possession.  Onokwai has made a massive difference.  He is a presence upfront and has the ability to pull defenders out wide and then run at them.  He had the Hurnchurch No 2 in his pocket for most of the first half.  He went on to open the scoring by running onto a ball slipped through the middle and instinctively placing it into the bottom corner. 

He could have doubled the lead when Hornchurch under hit a back pass and he was clear on goal.  HIs confident shot bordered on casual and it was well saved.

One we went into the second half and while Hornchurch grew in the game it was beginning to feel like we had done enough.  Another chance to double the lead came and went when a ball was crossed across the 6 yard line but the shot was blasted wide.

Then we came undone but giving the ball away in a dangerous area and allowed them a free shot.  It could have been worse but our 'keeper pulled off a great save from a free header.

A point that we would have taken before the game and something to build on for the Mick Sullivan derby when we face Merstham; a team that scored five today...

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead's new charges travel to Essex for this Ryman Premier encounter after suffering another heavy defeat.  

The trip to Lewes was always going to be tricky.  What I enjoyed was seeing a side that wasn't being bullied so easily, looked more "street-smart" and created chances.  It is true that Lewes probably created more before the sending off but better sides than us will travel to Lewes and come under pressure at times.

Leatherhead are now just screaming out for a change in fortune.  A game where a perfectly good goal stands or where a wayward shot doesn't deflect into the goal.

Hopefully that will come tomorrow with the trip to Hornchurch.  I thought I was sounding the New Ground Klaxon until I remembered I had been to AFC Hornchurch.

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

P.S. If anyone is driving back via Gomshall, please let me know...

Travelling Tanners

A new regime takes charge of Leatherhead tonight as we travel to Lewes.  We seem to be permanently playing the side placed in sixth place and this is no different tonight.  This is going to be a tough game, despite the two new players already drafted in.

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

Tanners 0 - 3 Enfield

A difficult one to watch today, even by our standards, as we lose 3-0 and barely laid a glove on our opposition.

The writing was on the wall fairly early on in the second half when Leatherhead gave away a clumsy penalty.  We thought our luck had changed when a Pogba-style run up saw the shot go well wide.  Alas our defense was at hand to give them another chance from the spot and this time he made no mistake (although a good dive from our 'keeper nearly kept it out).

The lead was doubled when a powerful shot on the edge of the box found the side netting.  We would love to blame the ref' who should have sent off one of their players for a nasty challenge but it would have perhaps made little difference.

Second half saw some tempers boil over but with neither side particularly interested in scoring... until Enfield did to make it 3-0.  We did have a shot in the 90th minute but I don't think the travelling 'keepers clean sheet bonus was ever really in threat.

Lewes on Tuesday it is then...

Enfield Town are coming

Leatherhead have not had the run of the green recently.  A perfectly good goal disallowed one game and striking the woodwork three times the next.  Such is life when you're down the bottom of the table.

A good side arrive at The Grove today in Enfield Town. Let's hope for better luck today…

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Travelling Tanners

On a day when the local Butlins is evacuated due to a suspicious device, Leatherhead will hope for an explosive performance tonight against this well placed side.

The game last week was postponed due to the fuel crisis but goes ahead tonight despite heavy rain.  A well earned point at the weekend gives us something to cling on to but the lack of goals will be a worry going into this away fixture.

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

Tanners 0 - 0 Haringey Borough

Sitting in the bar before the game, with a surprisingly strong pint of Birra Moretti, and seeing our only player over the age of 23 not warming up I could be forgiven for wishing to stay in the bar for 90 minutes longer.  Haringey are a good side in 6th place and we had just come off the back of a 7-0 thrashing.  I did venture out and witnessed a hard fought draw that could / should have been more.

For the neutral it probably wasn't the best game.  For the home support, it was a joy to simply see Leatherhead pass the ball without gifting to the opposition.  We did that and put the visitors under pressure for good periods of the game.

Only in the last 10-15 minutes of the first half did we look under threat and early in the second where the obligatory fight occurred.

Those behind the goal had settled for a point though but we suddenly thought we had more.  Sami had a shot saved but the ball could only be parried into the path of Jedd and a covering defender.  Jedd wanted it more, stole in and tapped in our first goal for 450 minutes.  Wild celebrations followed; celebrations that were cut short by the lino who saw something that no one else did (including the defenders who would normally appeal for anything) and put up his flag.  The ref did go over but the decision stood and we were denied a precious win.

Away to Bognor Regis on Tuesday to try and build on this result then...

Haringey Borough are coming

I couldn't bring myself to write a match report for the game last Saturday.  One, I couldn't get to it as I only had a few litres in the tank; and two, well... Christ... we lost 7-0.

Tomorrow we welcome 6th place Hanringey Borough to The Grove in the latest fixture where Leatherhead hope to get some kind of result to move us from the bottom of the table.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Travelling Tanners

A new ground klaxon sounds almost as loudly as the car horns from the idiots panic buying petrol; but we are off to Bishop's Stortford tomorrow.

Our hosts sit in 12 place after securing two wins and two draws from their first 6 games.  Leatherhead, meanwhile, still cling to their opening day win and have the most goals conceded in the league.  The latter not helped by the injuries suffered to Manny and Cameron.

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

Corinthian-Casuals 3 - 0 Tanners

If Corinthian-Casuals spent as much time preparing for this game as their programme editor did for the programme, it is no wonder they ran out comfortable winners.

The first 20 minutes saw the hosts ask all the questions and Leatherhead having few answers.  We were sloppy while their high tempo game piled on the pressure.  The goal came from an inability to clear or close down and a well placed shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.

Corinthian-Casuals, understandably, had to drop the pace after 20 minutes and allowed us to grow into the game a bit but in truth we were well marshalled throughout the first half.

Second half was much of the same until Corinthian-Casuals missed an absolute sitter.  Manny had been replaced at halftime and the sub 'keeper dropped a shot in front of a striker with the goal gaping in front of him.  Luckily he could only stroke the shot onto the post.

This galvanised Leatherhead and suddenly we were in the ascendancy.  Some furness was substituted with good old fashioned physical play but it was effective and for 20 minutes we dominated.  Our golden chance came when Alex Sami pounced on a loose pass out of defence and had a clear run at goal.  Huckle, who was playing the "Jerry role" up front, was screaming for the ball and with the 'keeper committed to Sami it looked the better option.  Sami believed in himself and took a shot but it was smothered and the chance was missed.

If a looping header had more spin we might have equalised but a defender got back to clear and soon the game was effectively over.  A sweeping move out of defence saw a pin point cross find its target and a powerful header had the ball firmly in the back of the net.  A third goal in the last minute only added insult to injury.

Leatherhead now need to dust themselves off for the long trip (and new ground klaxon) for the trip to Bishops Stortford.

Travelling Tanners

A return to FA Cup action tonight with the trip to Corinthian-Casuals.  Given we went into the game on the opposite ends of a 4-0 thrashing, I think we gave our hosts plenty to think about... sadly, they have had plenty of time to think about it.

The winner goes on to play Wingate & Finchley and given the teams that were avoided in the draw, that seems quite the incentive.

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

Tanners 0 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals

For the neutral, this game could be quite forgettable but for a Leatherhead supporter it will mean so much more.

Leatherhead looked genuinely competitive.  Jack Skinner was a menace and brought out the best save from their 'keeper and Alex Sami always looked like a threat.

The way we use Alex Sami is a bit one dimensional at times - chase that! - but when he gets the ball you believe something can happen.  He struck the bar with an instinctive shot-on-the-pivot move from a corner.

While we limited our visitors to few chances they perhaps too consider "what could have been" when a lapse in concentration allowed one of their strikers a clear run on goal.  A low powerful shot was matched by Manny with a dive to his right, thus securing our first clean sheet and our name in the hat for tomorrow's draw.

Replay on Tuesday and a game to look forward to...

Corinthian-Casuals are coming

Leatherhead have taken a bit of a battering lately, both on and off the pitch, but today we host our old friends in the FA Cup tie.

Our visitors had a shakey start to the season, even by our standards, but have found some form. They turned in a 4-0 winning display only this week.

Meanwhile, we do possess the joint top goal scorer in Alex Sami and hopefully the Tower of Dorking returns in defence.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Tanners 0 - 4 Worthing

A touch watch for the Leatherhead fans, as we succumb to a heavy defeat at the hands of our high flying visitors.

The tone of the match was set straight from the whistle, with Worthing playing some attacking football and creating chances.  Manny was outstanding and kept us in the game with a string of saves.

What was probably the most worrying was not just that Worthing were overrunning us in most areas but that we conspired to help them with some really sloppy passing.  This certainly was a case for their opener, a loose pass set a player free to run on goal and score.

Leatherhead did have their moments though.  Briggs had a low free kick saved and Sami's point blank header was powered down but the ball bounced up and over the bar.

Into the second half and we created some more chances and perhaps if we had taken one we may have given Worthing something to think about.  We didn't and they went on to completely dominate.  A double save by Manny from a penalty only seemed to spur them on.

A ball to feet, turn and shoot was their second.  A jinking run through our defence was their third... and I missed their forth.

Tough to take but we now have the prospect of Corinthian-Casuals on Saturday.  A side that also won 4-0 last night. 

Worthing are Coming

Both teams will have their own respective wounds to lick.  

Leatherhead, despite having goals from Alex Sami, have yet to win in the league since the opening day.  While Worthing would have been looking forward to another trip to The Grove on Saturday but for their early FA Cup exit.

Worthing are going well in the league, in sixth, but there is something about watching Leatherhead under the lights in a midweek game...

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

Travelling Tanners

Another trip into Kent but this time for the league and a visit to our old friends, Margate.

Margate are a very different proposition to Whitstable though.  Unbeaten in the league and through to the next round of the FA Cup (by virtue of a replay), Leatherhead will need to be at their best.  A new signing from Woking will further boost the travelling line-up.

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

Tanners 1 - 0 Whitstable

Leatherhead squeezed past a plucky Whitstable side that will no doubt head back to Kent thinking of what could have been.

Whitstable started the replay as they finished the opening game, by taking  the game to us and created some of the best chances.  Nikki Bull would no doubt have mixed feelings about how good his 'keeper had to be.

Just like the first game, it was Leatherhead who opened the scoring.  A Briggs corner was met by The Tower of Dorking, who seemed only challenged by Will Salmon, and looped the ball into the net.  Our loanee has been quite the signing; although he made a few mistakes he was ably supported by Will Salmon and will no doubt learn a lot this season.

The game was then finely balanced with both sides going close.  Whitstable made double subs trying to bring about change and as the game wore on they, unstandably, got more anxious.  

The fizzing play that got them the replay and cut through us in the first half was now a longer more erratic pass.  Defending became that little bit easier, although it wasn't completely without the odd scare.

Despite getting two bookings for time wasting, yet taking two corners long instead of playing it into the corner, we saw out the four minutes of injury time to set up the clash with Corinthian-Casuals by virtue of their impressive 3-1 win against Worthing.

Whitstable are coming

We welcome Whitstable tonight for this FA Cup replay.  They may have had a slice of luck with the penalty decision, given what was turned away in the second half, but they could equally be disappointed they did not get the winner as they pressed us hard in the final ten minutes.

There were no obvious knocks, so we should be able to field the same side that created so many chances on Saturday.

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

Whitstable 2 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead came away with a draw and a replay (which seemed to catch at least one person off-guard) despite looking like much the better side.

While we had a quiet first few minutes it was Leatherhead who took the game to the hosts in the first half.  Will Salmon's flicked header struck the bar and Briggs went just wide.

Our goal came from a corner, well a follow on ball from a corner.  As the ball cae into Sami he tried to make room from himself but looked to have been brought down (or at least he made it look as if he was brought down).  The ball only managed to bounce off him but into the path of our new Tower of Dorking, who thundered the ball into the back of the net.

Leatherhead were not really looking good.  So much so I felt confident enough to tweet this while visiting the toilets but found we conceded a dodgy penalty (ball to hand) and it was 1-1 during my moment of relief.

Second half and Leatherhead started as they left off and looked to restore the advantage.  It came when the impressive Henry crossed into Sami who made no mistake.  2-1.  In the bag; we thought.

Whitstable bounced back and in one of their few attacks clinically tore us apart and equalised.  It suddenly became a little nervous for the last 15 minutes as it was Whitstable's turn to pile on the pressure; although few shots on target were registered.

2-2 it finished.  The handsome Teasurer had an even brighter glow as we head off to a replay...

Travelling Tanners

FA Cup day; while too early to get the tin foil out, it is still a day of excitement. Or anxiety.

Last year we were turned over by a lower placed side (as we were in all the cups) so hopefully we bring that experience with us as well as a couple of new signings.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Tanners 0 - 3 Carshalton

After a 1-0 defeat on the Saturday, Leatherhead returned to the Grove hoping for more but got comprehensively beaten by a street-smart Carshalton side.

Leatherhead were really bullied in the first half.  Carshalton knew how to get the ball into dangerous areas and snuff out any Leatherhead attack, plus they knew exactly at what pitch to scream at when trying to get the attention of the referee.

It was from such an innocuous challenge - the faintests of arms across the back to cause a swan dive - they scored their first goal.  The freekick was put to the far post and the unmarked player planted a powerful header into the goal, despite our 'keeper getting two hands on it.

The second half saw a lot more promise from Leatherhead and hope grew for an equaliser.  We forced a couple of smart saves and went close on a near post effort.  Football is cruel and soon Carshalton three goals up when they clinically finished two breakaway attempts.

On to the FA Cup and the promise of a cup run... and the return of Sami...

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead embark on one of their longest away trips of the season... on Bank Holiday weekend.  Thanks.

It has been a hokey cokey at Leatherhead with managers being in, then out and then back in again.  But Nikki takes a team that was unlucky not to have four points to shake it all about in Essex.

Kick off at 3pm.  Good luck fellas. 

Tanners 1 - 2 Wingate & Finchley

Leatherhead were unlucky not to get more from this rather stale affair.  We showed enough promise to get at least a draw but failure to deal with a last minute set piece meant the visitors went home with all three points.

There was much optimism around the ground following our away win and newly signed hat trick hero.  A sense of realism was forced upon us when the visitors curled a freekick into the top left corner on just six minutes.  It was a good goal but the over celebrations deserved to be punished.

The perfect opportunity to strike back came 6 minutes later when we were awarded a penalty.  Alex Sami confidently struck the ball but the 'keeper guessed the right way and his scoring run was dashed.

We did get level when a cross was met by Jedd Smith, sneaking in with two defenders confusing themselves over who should take control.

Just as we thought it was a well won point, Wingate & Finchley won a freekick and then a corner.  The ball in from the latter was headed into the net at the far post.

We go again with the trip to Brightlingsea on Saturday...

Wingate & Finchley are coming

Three points were followed by three signings in the week which has caused the handsome Treasurer to dash back from holiday to check the budget.

Today we welcome Wingate & Finchley, a side that sat just two points behind us with a game in hand when the season ceased.  They sit three points behind us this season… baby steps…

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Bowers & Pitsea 2 - 3 Tanners

Leatherhead take all three points, thanks to a competitive debut hat trick from Alex Sami.

Sami opened the scoring on just 9 minutes, pouncing on a loose ball.  Bowers levelled shortly afterwards through a penalty to make it 1-1.

Second half and Sami scored a fantastic goal. Flicking the ball up to set up an audacious volley. 2-1.  

A third from Sami appeared to put the game beyond doubt but the ref gave the hosts a further penalty to make it competitive … Leatherhead held on though.

What a start to the season!

Travelling Tanners

If we were looking for an easy opener then we were badly let down.  We have lost this fixture 10-0 on aggregate over two attempts; the last being 7-0.

Macca now leads the team out hoping our in-form summer signing can make the difference.

Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.

Tanners 1 - 2 Raynes Park Vale

A lively game ends in defeat as the pre-season run campaign continues.

The game started so well as Alex continued his scoring run.  With a carbon-copy of a Cruyff turn he left two players for dead on the goalline, made room for himself in  the box before placing the ball past the 'keeper for a spectacular goal and resulting celebration.

Leatherhead looked in real control until a Raynes Park Vale player dropped his shoulder and jinked past two Leatherhead defenders before picking his spot just inside the box.  1-1 at halftime.

Leatherhead made some changes and looked exciting.  We struck the crossbar with such ferocity it is probably still shaking.

Then some nonsense that appears to be a theme in our friendlies as a large group of players decided to push each other around a bit.  Leatherhead failed to regain composure and a sucker punch allowed the visitors to tap in the winning goal.

Disappointing but we go again away to Corinthian.  No pre-season would be complete without a trip there, it seems.

Tanners 3 - 1 Chalfont St Peter

Another pre-season friendly against opposition one league below but a different outcome from the last run out.

The game looked over in the opening minutes when Alex forged ahead with two poacher's goals.  Twice we got the ball to him in the box and twice he put the ball away smartly.  The first saw a flipping celebration while the second was more subdued.

Nikki Bull may be concerned with the manner in which we conceded; a free header at the back post.  Especially with the rumours that Jerry will not be re-signing this season...

Second half and we looked quite composed.  The third goal from some patient and unselfish build-up play, until they found Briggs who calmly found his spot.

There was nothing calm about the last few minutes when Lema was caught by a nasty tackle.  He offered some words of advice to the provider of this tackle and it erupted into a full 20-man brawl.

Unlike last week, the ref saw sense and didn't issue any reds and saw the last two minutes out.  Quickly.

More action on Tuesday, when we welcome Raynes Park Vale...

Tanners 0 - 1 Three Bridges

Last night did not go to plan.  There was some initial excitement as a new player  turned up at 6pm with boots and a reasonably impressive CV looking for a new team.  Nikki threw him straight upfront and while he showed glimpses that he could be our passport to success he failed to hit the back of the net.

Three Bridges are a league below but were going well before lockdown and arrived with a great deal of determination.  Indeed, when Misha made a clumsy tackle they were surrounding the ref.  It was probably a harsh red in the heat of the season so it was surprising to see the ref show a red during a friendly. 

The ref was nobody's friend by the end of the game.  He failed to give Three Bridges an almost-certain penalty, received ironic cheers when he booked them for diving and was generally inconsistent throughout.

Leatherhead did mount some pressure in the second half but Three Bridges used their extra man to counter attack and get the only goal of the game.  Grealish continues to impress.

Chalfont St Peter come to the Grove on Saturday...

Dorking Wanderers 4 - 0 Tanners

The day did not start well.  Sure, seeing a superfluous apostrophe on the sign to their VIP entrance sign was mildly amusing but hardly put Leatherhead 1-0 up.  It also became clear that the away fans would be segregated and stuck down just one end; I would have been grateful for it being the shaded end had I not splashed out £5 on a bottle of sun lotion on the way in.  

There was also the early hope Dorking would consider this game an inconvenience and field a weakened side... but then Marc White stepped out in a jewel encrusted T-shirt and denim skinny jean shorts.  No man dresses like that with the expectation of losing.

Despite not having the two AFC Wimbledon players, it was Leatherhead that had the early chance.  After just a couple of minutes, a ball was driven in from the left and found a player unmarked on the far post but he fluffed his lines.  It didn't take Dorking long to recover from this early "shock" and they soon started piling on the pressure.

Most of their most promising attacks came down the right and they were finding space in the box to shoot at will.  A low drive opened their scoring.  Shortly after a low shot, direct from a freekick, could only be palmed into the path of not one but two unmarked Dorking players to double their lead.  The final action for the half came from a corner, which was headed back across goal and coolly finished.

I missed the fourth goal, on account of me being the bar but came out to see a Grealish-esque player causing some excitement amongst the travelling supporters.  He curled a few shots over the bar to bring the game to a disappointing close.  Another loss to Dorking but we go again on Tuesday, with the visit of Three Bridges.

Travelling Tanners

Tomorrow Leatherhead make the trip to Dorking Wanderers to play for the Advertiser Trophy.  

In the interview with Nikki Bull, Mick Sullivan did not fancy our chances much after seeing us play Guildford City.  While the gap in playing staff will no doubt be telling on the day, that may not be truly representative as a number of trialists have been and gone since then plus the securing of some AFC Wimbledon loan players.

Tickets are limited (with a hint of crowd segregation?), so make sure you buy before you travel.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Tanners 2 - 1 Guildford City

I was at this game, I promise but somehow I missed the late flurry or goals despite the game petering out as I left in the dying minutes.

In the first half, Leatherhead had much of the game but lacked the cutting edge to get an opening goal.  Guildford's keeper must be feeling sore after having a few point blank range shots fired directly at his torso.

Second half and we looked more fluid but only got our goal courtesy of a penalty; a soft one at that.  Very reminiscent of Sterling's penalty against Denmark and those who don't expect them to be given in a semi final of a major tournament would be going crazy at it being awarded in a pre-season friendly.  The penalty was calmly put away.

Then it became 2-0... then 2-1... sorry.

Saturday we travel to Dorking Wanderers for the annual battle for the Advertiser Trophy...

Guildford City are coming...

I am dipping my toe back into The Lip! after a few months away.  This will be my first friendly and one of significance for me.

As a born and bred Guildfordian I have had a soft spot for our visitors, even making a few away journeys for some of their crucial relegation games of the past.  Such battles would appear to be a thing of the past as I understand new owners have big ambitions for the Spectrum based side.

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!