Travelling Tanners

Another tough trip for Hayden and his new-look team as we take on 4th placed Chertsey.

I'm in birthday mode, so will miss this one but I will be following from the safety of St Albans...

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

Merstham 1 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead win!  It certainly didn't feel like it would happen with a Merstham side happy to waste time and make like very difficult.  I have no idea who they are waiting to play at home before giving it a go but their lack of ambition cost them.

The first half was a complete waste of time but things came to life in second.  The signs were there when Tarpey missed a chance and Merstham cleared off the line.  Then Trey Williams was released down the right and his powerful and low shot found the bottom corner.  Wild celebrations followed.

Celebrations were short lived.  Merstham's plan of time wasting went out the window and they pressed for an equaliser.  In the chaos that followed we cleared as best we could but a Merstham player flung a boot at a ball some 25 metres out and in it flew.

Merstham soon sunk back to winding down the clock and a win looked hopeless until Dan Hector picked up the ball in the box, beat a few players and then unleashed a shot that flew in via the far post.

A much needed three points before we take on Chertsey next week...

Travelling Tanners

They all count, as we notched up our first win under Hayden in the week.  We certainly needed something to build on as tomorrow's trip to Merstham is massive.  A loss there could easily see us drop to the foot of the table.

Hopefully the rain won't prevent the game from taking place but keep your eyes open for updates.  Kick off at 3pm.  Directions can be found here.  See you there!

East Grinstead 1 - 1 Tanners

Somehow I got everything about this game wrong but everything turned out OK in the end.

Leatherhead's woes seemed to be getting worse when their bright start was rebuffed and the hosts scored.  The warning signs were there when a powerful shot nearly caught out Luke as it moved from right to left in the air.  Soon after another powerful shot was unleashed and Luke had no chance.

Leatherhead lost their way but got a much needed goal from a set piece.  From out wide a ball was sent to the far post and it dipped enough to beat the 'keeper and go in off of the post.

Second half saw chances to both sides, the best chance falling to East Grinstead in the last few minutes... but it went over and then straight to penalties.

We sent in our two big guns, Tarpey and Jermaine, but neither could find the net with East Grinstead scoring one from their opening two penalties.

Parity was preserved until, ex-Leatherhead legend, Steve Sargent stepped up to win it for East Grinstead.  His thoughts must have turned to THAT set piece and he instinctively fired the ball towards the corner flag.

With Levred making their next penalty, suddenly the pressure was on the hosts and after a couple of rounds it told and Luke saved.  This sets up a home tie with Ks who will be delighted to see Hayden again...

Travelling Tanners

For some this will be a NEW GROUND KLAXON as I don't recall us playing them before but for some reason I have visited our new friends.

Things looked good on Saturday until a 9 minute collapse saw the much needed points slip away.  Our hosts are higher up the table than Chipstead so we can expect a tough game.

If the trip is too far, Corinthian-Casuals use our ground again tonight... but otherwise directions can be found here.   Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

Tanners 2 - 3 Chipstead

An unbeaten run in the league comes to an end, despite building a two goal lead.

I wasn't at the game but by all accounts we looked bright for half an hour, then we were under the cosh. Scored against the fun of play from a great Tarpey free kick, hit the bar and then scored a second from the new guy Reise. 

And then it all fell apart with a defence like swiss cheese. Only one of the new players (Reise) looked like he had settled in.

Plenty for Hayden to think about before the trip to East Grinstead on Tuesday…

Chipstead are coming!

A new Hayden era kicks off with a visit from Chipstead today.  We find ourselves at the wrong end of the table and looking for a goal at home, let alone a home win.

Kick off at 3pm.  Good luck fellas.

Tanners 0 - 0 Basingstoke

The first scandal of the day was Swannel, the club's new mascot, entered the field of play naked; forgetting to put his shirt on.  With so many children there, I'm sure he will be on some form of list before too long.

Leatherhead were hosting a side that recently travelled to Chertsey and beat them comfortably, so it was unsurprising Leatherhead didn't go all out looking for their first home leage goal.  

It nearly came though when Mitchel headed just wide and Day decided to try and get his head (normally seven feet off of the ground) to a low ball rather than kick it.

Second half and I was unsure if Basingstoke were playing for a draw or trying to win as timewasting was punctuated with genuine attempts on goal.  They thought they had scored when a ball hit the post and was snatched off the line by Luke.

Leatherhead did push for a winner but Basingstoke were just too solid and composed in defence.

No competitive game now for two weeks so there will be friendlies to look out for...

Basingstoke are coming!

I don't know if my memory is playing tricks on me but today we welcome a side that once had Bruce Grobbelaar play for them... 

Oh to be able to buy a goal today though, with Leatherhead failing to score in their last few games and have yet to ripple the net at home in the league.

By contrast, Basingstoke are doing very well for themselves and will be looking to put more space between themselves and the play-off-chasing pack.

Kick off at 3pm.  Could be a big crowd so get there early.  See you there!