Leatherhead travel to a side that will be looking to get into the play-off places with any kind of results against us tonight. We have been relying on late goals, in the league, to keep us top but hopefully we can make things a bit more comfortable tonight. The weather certainly won't as it could be the first Double Socker of the season.
Kick off at 7.45pm. Directions can be found here. See you there!
into the play-off places with any kind of results against us tonight. We have been relying on late goals, in the league, to keep us top but hopefully we can make things a bit more comfortable tonight. The weather certainly won't as it could be the first Double Socker of the season.
Kick off at 7.45pm. Directions can be found here. See you there!
If Leatherhead had played like they did in the last 10 minutes, this game would have been put away with ease. However, as it happened, we struggled against a side that came with a plan.
For the majority of the game, Leatherhead were like modern jazz: not incredibly entertaining, full of hopeful long balls for Breckon to deal with, and notable for the players who weren't being played. Cameron Black was strangely absent, and we were served by neither Butler.
One thing Bedfont managed well was frustrating our attacking players by playing a high line, which caught us offside more than in any other game I can remember. It was like having Dave Stevens back in the squad. The long balls to Jacob were also a source of frustration, as they were often overhit or too straight to do anything with. To make matters worse, Jacob suffered a nasty cut to the face from a clash of heads and was whisked away to hospital.
That said, we did manage to get the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside. Anas also came close when his shot looked certain to find the back of the net, only to hit the post and bounce to safety. Bedfont opened the scoring by working the ball into the box and firing it past Wheeler. 0-1.
Anas did eventually get on the scoresheet by chasing a ball down the right and lobbing it towards the far post. Someone was there to tap it in, but it had already crossed the line. 1-1.
I thought the second half would be dramatically different, and that we would take control of the game, but alas, it was more of the same. Bedfont scored again with a close-range goal, and we were behind once more.
A couple of changes saw us start to look livelier, while Bedfont seemed less confident in their high line, though they somehow managed to soak up the pressure. Just as six minutes of added time were announced, we got the equaliser. Our long ball tactic was abandoned in favour of our more familiar ball-to-feet approach, and a swift cross found an unmarked Anas, who prodded it home on his second attempt. 2-2.
With four minutes of added time still to play, we pressed hard for a winner and nearly got it, only to be thwarted by an excellent save and an incredible goal-line clearance from their No. 7. So, we settle for a point—but it's a point more than Westfield managed, and we now have the chance to pull further ahead when we play mid-week at Hayes & Yeading…
When the Hampton & Richmond manager, Alan Julian, last came to the Grove to face Leatherhead, he was with a Billericay side where Glen Tamplin shouted at him to shut his eyes while singing "The World's Greatest." No doubt he wished he could shut his eyes again and make it all go away, as Leatherhead ran riot over his side today.
Following the toss, we were forced to change ends, and we barely had time to get behind the goal before we were 1-0 up. A blistering run from Anas and a deadly cross found Seb Tauta Caballero, who headed it home with less than two minutes on the clock. 1-0.
Had we scored too early? No, because it only got worse for our National League South guests. Another cross from Anas went long and found Gallagher alone, who stroked it into an empty net. 2-0.
From then on, Leatherhead were firmly in control. Towards the end of the first half, the ball got stuck under Hogan's foot; otherwise, he would have been clear on goal. In the dying minutes, Ty Butler did manage to break away, but the 'keeper got a vital touch to keep it out. In between, I was more concerned about conceding at Fareham than I was against this team.
I sometimes find that referees, when they come from the same level as the higher-division side, often lean towards the more familiar team. This was certainly the case in the last few minutes, as the referee turned a blind eye to some terrible tackles from the frustrated Hampton & Richmond players. Sadly, this boiled over, and yet another FA Trophy game ended in a kerfuffle.
That was a mere distraction, though, as the win was secure. Now we go into the draw on Monday, dreaming of trips to Carlisle or Rochdale…
As the teams lined up in their dressing rooms to come out, the home captain let out a battle cry to "let them know how ******** good we are." However, it was clear from the outset that South Park hadn't come to play football but instead came to show us how "hard" they were by trying to kick lumps out of us. Throw in a wet, slippery, plastic pitch, and it's understandable that we found it difficult to settle.
But settle we did, and we got a first-half goal from a hotly disputed corner (I don't know why they disputed the corner—it was as clear as day). The resulting long ball fell to The Lip's Logan Coles (replacing my sponsorship of Sam ou est de St Croix), who smashed it in off the far post.
In the second half, one-nil down, the penny finally dropped for the home side that they were going to need to play football a little bit to get a goal back. This made for a more entertaining game all round, and we felt the pressure a bit.
But from pressure comes great opportunities, and towards the end of the game, Body was set free in a one-on-one with the 'keeper. We've grown used to players like Anas and Hogan finding a way to slip it past the 'keeper, so when Body took an extra touch to round the 'keeper, I thought he'd blown it. However, he had the speed to catch up and slot the ball into the empty net.
Two-nil, and with the game safe, South Park reverted to their old ways and tried to start a fight by the corner flag. The weak officials could have prevented this by giving a foul when Anas's shirt was pulled up over his head, but the tussle was allowed to carry on until things boiled over.
On to Saturday, and hopefully the rain doesn't spoil the visit of Hampton & Richmond tomorrow…
Kick off at 7.45. Directions can be found here. See you there!
A smash-and-grab job for Leatherhead in Portsmouth, as a last-minute winner breaks Fareham hearts and keeps us clear of Westfield.
A big travelling crowd came to see Leatherhead on the south coast, probably expecting to see a hatful of goals against bottom-of-the-table Fareham, but spent most of the game watching in frustration as our hosts took the game to us.
In a cagey chess opening 15 minutes we, once again as we did at Egham, got caught out with the same King's Indian Attack, with a sudden long ball into to right hand side and a free run on goal. A powerful finish beat Rileigh and put the home side 1-0 up. Strangely, a home supporter in a red tracksuit decided this was the game to "give it large" when facing both the top of the table team and the largest travelling support of the season.
The first half was not pretty. Fareham were a niggly side that both worked hard and played dirty (I haven't seen so much shirt pulling in a game, for example), and it looked like we were expecting an easier ride. We did get a goal to ease the nerves when on out-swinging corner was met by Cameron Black around the penalty spot who deftly guided a looping header over the No 3 on the line and into the back of the net.
While the ref let a lot of shirt pulling go, he also overlooked a reaction from Gallagher that could have seen him sent off on the stroke of halftime, but he survived, and we went in 1-1.
Changes were made and we started to look a lot more urgent. Fareham were asking their own questions of us but it seemed like it was inevitable that we would score… until it didn't. A minute when in a minute's silence seems like an eternity, but when chasing a goal they start to fly by.
Enter stoppage time, and if their manager has anything about him, he would have gone into the dressing room after the game and apologised to his hard-working team for losing this game. A substitution in the 91st minute is done simply to waste time, certainly when you place a five-foot something player in the back three. There was something special about this player (Number 12) as the crowd let out a large cheer when his name was announced and a few went over to rub his bald head for luck. He needed it, as the once comfortable defence that kept us at bay was now unsettled.
In the 92nd minute Cameron lofted a long ball into the box towards Breckon. Breckon was being manhandled so it went over his head and fell into a space in front of the Number 12. What he lacked in height he made up for in enthusiasm and leapt to clear it, but physics came at him fast; it glanced off his head and into the path of Anas who smashed it home. Limbs. Number 12 could not have placed the ball more perfectly if he had tried. The only thing more precise was the finish itself.
We held out a spirited spell of pressure from Fareham, as they attempted to get a point they probably deserved but we held out. Onto Tuesday and the bogey ground of South Park.
Tanners should not rely on muscle memory to get to today's game, or you will find yourself at The Grove, as this is the first away game since 30 August; and a New Ground Klaxon to boot as we play Fareham away.
Our hosts have not enjoyed their start to this league and sit in last place. A classic banana skin.
Kick off at 3pm. Directions can be found here. See you there!
Leatherhead played out a Schrödinger of a game, as it was simultaneously both easy and difficult.
This game looked like a formality in the opening minutes. You know things are likely to go your way when the centre-back captain wildly slices a clearance into his own side netting and another defender tackles his own 'keeper for a corner within the opening 15 minutes. Hogan smashing the crossbar further underscored our dominance, yet that elusive opening goal did not come.
Eventually, it came thanks to the quick thinking of Breckon, who deliberately flicked his header into the path of Gallagher. This clever move created enough space for a one-on-one with the 'keeper. Jordan gave the 'keeper "the eyes," sending him the wrong way and allowing for a simple shot to the near post. 1-0.
It was all fun and games as Egham passed the ball to no one and we created chances, but we survived a scare when it briefly looked like we had given away a penalty. Leatherhead's advantage increased further when a frustrated defender appeared to stamp on Anas, earning himself a red card. Into half-time we went.
Leatherhead came out for the second half in a confident mood, and it seemed certain we would run up a big score. However, Egham slowly grew into the game, and it started to feel like we were the most likely to concede a goal or two. The travelling supporters erupted with relief and joy when Anas pounced on a loose ball in the box to fire home a second goal. Just minutes later, Mark Waters repeated the feat, but from further out.
At 3-0, Leatherhead could be forgiven for thinking the floodgates had finally opened and that more goals were imminent. However, this left us exposed at the back, and the home side managed to score from an unchallenged move down the right. This prompted us to manage the game and see it out. Elsewhere, Westfield needed the help of two own goals to avoid defeat at Portchester, but their draw allows us to open up a four-point gap.
On to Saturday and the sound of the New Ground Klaxon, as we travel to Fareham…
After a comfortable win on Saturday, life gets a bit harder as we travel to 10th placed Egham Town, who are unbeaten over the last three games.
Meanwhile Westfield host Portchester who, even if they bring a fraction of their three million home supporters, could be a tough team to beat…
Kick off at 7.45. Directions can be found here. See you there!
As the players emerged from the tunnel, a squabble of seagulls took flight from the pitch. However, our opponents offered little fight as we cantered to a 4-0 victory against the struggling Ascot side.
The game seemed fairly low-key for the first ten minutes, but this was simply Leatherhead being patient in their build-up. Soon enough, the goals started to flow. We took the lead with a straightforward ball into Breckon on the edge of the box. He picked his spot and fired it into the back of the net. Ironically, his chosen spot was right where the 'keeper was standing, and the ball went through the 'keeper's legs. The 'keeper may have been far too handsome to be in goal, but there was nothing pretty about that attempted save.
While our opener had an element of luck, the second goal was pure class. A lofted ball found Breckon in the box; a lesser player might have attempted a difficult high volley or a weak header on goal, but Breckon showed great awareness by chesting it directly into the path of Gallagher's run. Gallagher still had work to do from a tight angle, but his delicate lofted shot beat the 'keeper and nestled in at the far post. 2-0.
Anas continues to impress down the wing, and it was from one of his darting runs that he found Breckon, who forced a good save from the 'keeper. The rebound fell to Hogan, who, despite being off balance, managed to get a shot away and find the far post. 3-0 at halftime.
The second half saw Leatherhead ramp up the pressure even further, and had it not been for some heroics from Ascot's 'keeper, the scoreline could have been even more punishing for our visitors. Fittingly, the fourth goal came from a mistake on their part during a corner.
Ascot's corner was overhit and so poorly placed that it set Breckon away on a solo run from midway in our half and down the left wing. He quickly fed the ball into the path of a teammate with greater pace but stayed involved in the play, eventually receiving the ball back in the area and calmly slotting it past the 'keeper. 4-0 and into the winners' enclosure.
A fine victory keeps us top of the league. Westfield are coming up on the outside, while Raynes Park Vale suffered a refusal due to a last-minute South Park goal—scored by an ex-Tanner (Ross Stepney). Oh, the irony.
On to Tuesday, as we make the trip to Egham to defend our top spot…
Leatherhead repeated the feat of 2014 by knocking out Canvey Island on penalties in the FA Trophy, securing a place in the draw for the second round.
Our hosts are struggling in their league, so when Cameron Black pounced on a cross to prod the ball home, it looked like this was going to be a straightforward win. However, playing a Step 3 side generally brings bigger and faster players, and soon Canvey Island were back in the game. Had it not been for some heroic defending, it would have been 1-1 at the half-hour mark.
In the second half, their half suddenly became an UNESCO World Heritage Site, as we seemed too cautious to step foot in it while Canvey Island applied pressure. They got their reward when a defender bundled over a player off the ball (well, that is how it looked from behind the far goal), and the referee awarded a penalty. Sonny guessed correctly, but the penalty was too well placed. 1-1.
To our credit, we made a couple of changes and looked a lot more dangerous; on another day, one of the chances would have nestled into the back of the net. But they didn't, and off we went to penalties.
Canvey Island somehow managed to convince the referee that the default end was where they were shooting, leading to a mad dash to get there in time to see Waters stroke the first penalty home. Canvey missed their opener, and I was at least surrounded by more Leatherhead fans, so I could laugh loudly.
The next two penalties were saved, maintaining the 1-0 scoreline. The following two were scored, and suddenly counting to five twice became the hardest thing in the world as people declared it 3-2 when it was only 2-1. Both of the next penalties were scored to make it 3-2 with one left to score ("yes, if we score this one, we win").
This is where it started to go wrong. As Niran confidently strode up, their 'keeper decided to hold on to the ball for a bit too long, and Sonny wrestled it back. A mental note was taken…
Niran fired the ball into the top left corner – we won! – and as their 'keeper lay on the floor, Sonny ran past and no doubt congratulated him on his performance. The Canvey Island 'keeper was the most vanilla of 'keepers. No banter, very much the Steve Davis of the goalkeeping world, but there was something that Sonny "The Rocket" Wheeler said or did that caused him to react and push our No. 1 into the side netting as he collected his water bottle.
All hell broke out, with players running to join the melee. A supporter who had run onto the pitch to celebrate suddenly found himself and his young son in the middle of something bigger than he anticipated. He genuinely ran on to celebrate, probably expecting more to do the same, but he was very much mistaken. A fence that high would require a subsequent lengthy period of physiotherapy should I attempt to climb it.
This event will no doubt overshadow the fine win and have consequences for the next three games, as it appears Sonny was also shown a red card for violent conduct.
On to Monday, then, for the draw to see who we will play next…
Despite the lofty position and form of Hanworth Villa, Leatherhead tore into our well-rested guests, and the end result could have been much more comfortable than the 2-1 scoreline suggests.
The first half was remarkably straightforward for Leatherhead. A Cameron Black header from a corner set us on our way in just 9 minutes. Nathan Hogan then doubled our lead by running onto a through ball and slipping it through the legs of the 'keeper. 2-0.
The second half looked to be as straightforward had it not been for the crossbar and some desperate defending. Anas, with his slight of foot, had bamboozled the visitors all game. He broke free and lobbed the stranded 'keeper, but it struck the crossbar and bounced down for Hogan to head into an empty net, only for it to be deflected away by a defender who had sprinted back to cover.
Chance after chance slipped by until the inevitable happened, and on 64 minutes, Hanworth Villa scored, making for a nervous last 25 minutes. What we needed now was a team of calm players and a sensible referee. That was too much to ask for.
In my opinion, it all went wrong for the referee when he booked Nathan Hogan for time-wasting while taking a corner. I don't think he was taking particularly long, and if he did delay, it was to understand the instructions the referee himself was shouting at him. A yellow card for time-wasting is a pretty low bar, so it was a surprise when no card was shown for a player who dove in and went over the ball to take down Nathan.
That wasn't even the strangest decision. Nathan was at the center of one of the next incidents, where he was through on goal, one-on-one with the 'keeper, and pushed the ball past him. He was just two or three steps from slotting the ball into an empty net when the 'keeper stuck out an arm and pulled him back. You could not get more of a red card offense, even if he had headbutted him in the face. The referee saw it, blew his whistle, and went for his pocket with the speed that indicated it would be a red, but pulled out a yellow instead.
The 'keeper was the chatty type and told us that he had gotten away with that one, then stayed on the pitch to save the well-placed Kane free kick (and will remain on the pitch next Saturday when he should be serving a suspension).
Hogan's third denial came from a powerful shot that beat the 'keeper but struck the crossbar again.
With five minutes of added time, the referee then went into meltdown and booked players from both sides for various minor infringements. Eventually, he blew the final whistle and then stood in the corner with stewards to hold his hand, indicating that he had had a shocker.
So, with us beating third-placed Hanworth Villa and second-placed Raynes Park Vale also losing, it was a good set of results to go into the week we play in the Trophy…
A big game, in the league today, as we welcome third placed Hanworth Villa to The Grove… although they are second place on form with 13 points from the last six games.
They are certainly taking this game seriously. They didn't even field a side in their midweek county cup game on Tuesday, so their players are well rested…
Kick off at 3pm. See you there!
For a side that had lost their last three away games, 4-1, Harrow Borough turned up and played a defensive masterclass as Leatherhead were frustrated – if not a little under pressure at time – for much of the 90 minutes. Their goalkeeper was the most impressive, as what he lacked in physical size he made up for in athletic ability by pulling off some crucial saves to keep us out.
When Hogan was put through in only the second minute, it looked like Leatherhead were going to take control of the game, but his shot went straight at the 'keeper and Harrow woke up.
When occasion arises, I dip into a subject, and it always fills me with joy. Collective nouns for animals. In a previous match report, there was a pandemonium on parakeets, which matched "the confusion" of Leatherhead's attack at the time. Today, in the first half, I was confronted with a loveliness of ladybirds behind the goal… but the only thing of such beauty on the pitch was the stunning save the 'keeper made from a Breckon shot that seemed destined for the bottom right corner.
Into the second half and another animal intervention when a dog, a new striker from Barking, ran on the pitch and ceased play. I have finally seen this piece of footballing folklore.
We finally got our goal when the octopus of a 'keeper again saved a close range shot from Gallagher but after a brief melee, the fell to around the penalty spot to Hogan who placed his shot into the empty net. I emphasise place, as the ball was painfully slow and I worried someone would be able to recover and save it, but it had just enough.
Onto Tuesday, where we play an in-form Hartley Wintney then…
A game full of controversy and action was played out last night, proving the Surrey Senior Cup to be the best knockout trophy in the world. Upon arrival, the impressive Tuesday night crowd (of… cough… 399… cough) appeared to be in good spirits in anticipation of the game ahead.
By contrast to the second half, the first half was a tame affair. Leatherhead showed their intent in the first 10 minutes until Hogan received a nasty tackle on the edge of the box. The referee had already decided it was too early to issue a yellow card, as an earlier deliberate foul had also gone unpunished, and this one followed suit. Hogan then received a talking-to for not being injured enough to nearly score a "worldie" from the resulting free-kick. This seemed to take the sting out of our attack, allowing Chertsey to regain control.
Both opening goals came from defensive errors. Sonny managed to find the back of a defender with a clearance, and the loose ball was calmly slotted away by Karl Oliyide. 0-1. We struck back when their keeper could only palm a shot from range into the path of Breckon. 1-1.
As I sat down at half time and drank the most expensive cup of tea in non-league football, I genuinely thought we would come out and put this game to bed… but it looked like I was quite wrong as Oliyide raced toward a hat trick in the opening two minutes of the second half. More drama unfolded when a high ball seemed to be harmlessly landing about 30 yards out when Rileigh Hebditch (who had replaced Sonny at half-time) came out and "took the mark," inexplicably catching it about 10-15 yards outside the area. The referee came over, saw the young, apologetic keeper, must have said something like "ohhhh, you scamp," ruffled his hair a bit, and sent him back in goal, much to the annoyance of the Chertsey players.
The comeback really didn't look likely, so I sauntered toward the exit around the 80-minute mark. "Bye then," muttered a smug Chertsey fan just as Cameron Black thundered a header into the back of the net… 2-3. Soon after, the comeback was complete when Kane burst through the center of the area and fired in a volley. 3-3.
I thought we had won it in the 90th minute when another Kane shot beat the keeper and appeared to hit the inside of the post, but it must have bounced back into the arms of the keeper. The referee failed to play all of the 2 minutes of extra time—which, given the four goals, substitutions, and the incident with Rileigh, seemed sparse—and sent us to penalties.
Since I had already moved toward the exit, I was in a prime position, behind the goal, to see the first Chertsey player place his shot well wide. I let out an involuntary laugh, a real belly laugh that drew the attention of the home supporters and made me a marked man for the rest of the shoot-out. We scored our first to make it 1-0, but there were still few Tanners supporters around me to help out if things went south. They scored, and we missed, increasing the barrage of low-level abuse coming my way.
Then Rileigh stepped up to save their third penalty from Oliyide, who took longer to dramatically face the other way and turn than to concentrate on actually scoring… or should I say he stepped out… A replay shows he was off his line when he made the save, but the linesman didn't give it. We scored. 2-1. From the next penalty, Chertsey hit the crossbar, and again the fans accused Rileigh of leaving his line. As the ball missed the target, unless the frame of the goal left its line early, I hardly see the relevance. We scored to make it 3-1 and sent us into the next round.
As a supporter of Leatherhead, I have trudged off disappointed after losing in this competition to teams like Ashford and South Park, so I was surprised at just how upset and angry the home supporters were. I had several supporters try to explain "the rules" to me, insisting that Rileigh should have been sent off for that handball, whereas the laws state nothing of the sort, as it did not deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Our cameraman was at fault for something or other, as he looked bemused at the abusers while wearing hi-viz. Meanwhile, Josh Gallagher sits at home with a big glass of brandy and a wry smile.
Back to the league then on Saturday, with the visit of Harrow…
Tonight we travel to our old friends, Chertsey Town, for the First Round of the Surrey Senior Cup. Our hosts sit mid-table in the Southern Premier League and have recently parted company with their manager, Josh Gallagher… perhaps providing additional motivation for at least one of our players tonight.
Kick off at 7.45pm. Directions can be found here. See you there!
Leatherhead returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win. A scoreline that did not reflect the dominance as Leatherhead missed 7-8 clear chances, either through keeping their 'keeper busy or just missing the target.
Gallagher opened his account; following up on his shot that was spilled by the 'keeper. Another new signing also impressed, as Montague resembled a young Steve Davis; quietly going about his business while finding "the pockets"…
It is perhaps telling that the goal that made the game relatively safe, came from an absolute howler that fans behind the goal absolutely love to see. A simple back pass was misjudged by the 'keeper, that had kept his team in the game, and it rolled in while fans either celebrated or rolled around in laughter.
Our reward for this win is a visit from Ramsgate on 4 October. Meanwhile we prepare for the visit of Horndean on Saturday…
Leatherhead's league form has slowly been revised down from Perfect to Unbeaten to Table Topping, as we suffered our first defeat of the season last night.
Leatherhead came out to play some swift-attacking football, while Hartley Wintney took a more robust approach with our players. Sebastian Tauta-Caballero feeling an early tackle that easily warranted a yellow (with the players reacting like it should be a red) but nothing was given.
The game turned when Sonny Wheeler was given a woeful back pass to deal with and was left stranded. 0-1. We could have equalised towards the end of the first half when a shot from outside the box could only be parried about three yards out to Lukas, but his shot across the face of goal went well wide.
The second half was, initially, a more patient affair, with Leatherhead slowly applying pressure. As the game wore on, the visitors were suddenly made of sugar glass and collapsed on the ground upon the merest touch. Jordan Gallagher made his debut, and showed some good touches, but it was not enough to get an equaliser or more.
The referee, though, was one of the worst I have seen this season, and this was demonstrated when he could have awarded us one of two penalties in quick succession. The Hartley Wintney 'keeper dropped a long-range effort and one of our players was quick to pounce on it as the 'keeper made a dive for the ball. Down went our player in the box and nothing was given. Play went on for another player to retrieve the ball and this time was tackled from behind in the box, but the referee somehow saw this to be outside and only gave a free-kick (that was blasted straight into the wall).
Breckon fired in a powerful shot which struck the bar. The referee completely failed to see the clear deflection and awarded a goal kick.
A frustrating evening, but we get a Saturday off from the league as we host Ks in the FA Sodding Trophy…
Our fate not to collect all three points was sealed when Ian Selley went up to collect the Manager of the Month award before the game. It is an outstanding achievement, but to revel in it on the pitch just before the game will only anger the footballing gods.
We could have sent these false idols packing in the first half as we missed a about four chances in an end-to-end (but sometimes side-to-side) game. It started when Breckon placed his shot just inches wide of the right and post. Then the tricky Anas found Hogan, but he made a double contact with the ball and sent it over. Lukas then had his tight angle shot saved and then lobbed over when put through on goal from a Hendon mistake.
Then the sucker punch. The ball falls to a Hendon player, some 30 yards out, and his strike find the top left. 0-1 and half time.
The second half and the stormy weather matched the mood of the game. Both sides wanted to win this game and went at it until the final whistle. We had to wait until the 65th minute to get back into the game though, when suddenly a rainbow appeared, cancelling out the curse of the manager of the month award.
Kareem was brought on and his dynamic play made an instant impact. He darted into the box and knew what was coming, a rash challenge and down he went. It was perhaps a little soft, but we cared not as Hogan placed the penalty into the bottom left.
As we dreamed of getting a winner, things took another bad turn when the referee (who was being assessed) pointed to the spot for an even softer penalty than he awarded us. It was coolly dispatched, and we were staring down the barrel of our first defeat.
Luckily, Hogan was in form and saved us. First, Kareem fired a shot that took a wicked deflection, lobbing the 'keeper. The ball only fell as far as Nathan Hogan, who instinctively fired into the bottom left.
The point wasn't quite saved as Hendon pressed for another winner in front of a credible travelling support, but we held on to ensure we are at least unbeaten in the league. Time to get back on our winning ways on Tuesday then…
As I drove through the city of Chichester, I had a rush of anxiety; not because of the flashbacks of teaching my daughter how to drive here, but we had the chance to extend our lead with a win today.
Leatherhead's first half play was a bold as the local council's decision to build a Dutch style roundabout to provide safe cycling infrastructure. Kareem, again, lit up the right wing and left their No. 3 in knots. For all the tricky play, though, it was the long throw that opened the scoring as both 'keeper and their No. 5 couldn't deal with it and Nathan Hogan blasted the ball into the roof of the net.
We continued to press, and Lukas spurned two chances from close range, in quick succession. A two-goal cushion was beginning to feel necessary as on another day our hosts could have had two penalties. One for a late shoulder-to-shoulder challenge that looked a bit like a push and a rather obvious handball. Ross Stepney got away with a yellow for a challenge that could have seen a red card being brandished also.
In the second half, Leatherhead really controlled the game, limiting our hosts to very little. We had to cope with some injuries. Kane had to be carried off in the first half, and then Alfie Huckle limped off and towards the end Kareem then went down with a knock to the knee (but was also booked for diving).
Finally, we got the goal to make the points feel safer and the Bognor Regis fans feel a little bit wetter behind the coverless goal on the far end. Anas had already shot wildly across the face of goal twice, when crossing may have been a better option. However, on his third attempt, he found Ty Butler who delivered the decisive touch to beat our one-time 'keeper.
So, we go six points clear and will remain that way as next week sees the utter nonsense that is the FA Trophy come to town…
A game, perhaps, neither club wanted to play today as other teams get to have fun in the FA Cup, but it is not all bad news. The surprise tones of the New Ground Klaxon can be heard, as our old friends are ground sharing with Chichester City AND we get to continue our momentum in the league.
Bognor Regis won on the opening day of the season, 5-4 in front of an impressive crowd at Portchester but have since yet to win. With Raynes Park Vale losing, our fourth consecutive win sees us top of the table.
Kick off at 3pm. Directions can be found here. See you there!
Leatherhead continue their perfect 3-0 start to the season, with a win over Littlehampton. Our new friends were an unknown commodity, being new to our division, but came with an unbeaten record and a respectable travelling support.
The first half was another 45 minutes where, although we missed a couple of glaring chances, the best bit for me was getting into the bar early for a sit down and a cup of tea. Kareem being guilty of missing the easiest chance when he was put through, clear on goal, but had too much time to think about it and tangled himself up.
The second half and Leatherhead came out looking a more determined side. Breckon opened the scoring with a classy goal, making space in a tight situation to find the inside of the post.
The second goal was all about Kareem and when he beat two players on the edge of the box, burst into the area and found Lukas at the far post. If people missed Kareem's contribution, they certainly didn't miss his celebration as it was almost as if he passed to himself and put it in.
Mark Waters added to the visitor's misery when he pounced on a lose ball on the edge of the box, and fired it into the bottom corner. Littlehampton gave us a couple of scares, with a fine flying save from Sonny and the crossbar saving us.
On to Monday and the trip to Ks. Their manager, Dean Thomas, just happens to live near me and he said "hi", while I walked through the village proudly wearing my Leatherhead shirt. We chatted for a while and then I wished him a thoroughly miserable Bank Holiday… they got their first win on Saturday and will no doubt fancy another though…
Westfield reestablish themselves as our bogey team, with a 1-0 win to knock us out of the FA Cup.
I was worried about this game. I recall as similar scenario where we travelled to Billericay on the opening game of the season and then returned in the FA. We lost the league fixture but beat them in the cup, and the tables were turned on us today.
If you wanted to be kind, you would say our play was "patient". It was not the performance that saw us miss many chances and then take them, as it was last week. It was quality over quantity. Just a pity there wasn't even much quality attempts until Breckon came on. Up until then we really hadn't troubled the 'keeper much. Hedley headed over from close range and our closest attempt to the target came off someone's shoulder.
Westfield also looked a different side to the one we faced last week as they were composed and stuck to their task well. They pressed and got their reward, in the second half, when they stole the ball and lone striker ran at Sonny. A clever lob put them on the lead on 56 minutes, but no need to panic as I thought we had more than enough time to respond.
It simply didn't happen, and with each sub we somehow became more disjointed and less of a threat. The final straw came when Cam Black was made to go upfront, but he looked completely out of place… because… well… he was.
The referee, after two additional minutes to the originally sounded six, put us out of our misery and blew the final whistle. Westfield rightfully enjoyed their moment while I trudged off and shared my woes with a few other supporters in Tesco. Back to the league then, and the visit of Littlehampton.
Leatherhead continue their winning ways with a fine 3-0 win over South Park, in game that was very much "a game of two halves".
I don't quite know how to sum up the first half, as everything about the game seemed rather timid. The pace of the game seemed slow and the crowd chatted amongst themselves while this all drifted along. We looked the better side, but that was hardly much to shout about.
The second half, and the action started quickly. Too quickly for some, myself included, who didn't get pitch side to see Sam St De Croix run onto a through-ball and slot into the bottom corner. 1-0.
Then Jacob Brecken came on and things only got worse for our visitors. First, Kane dispatched the perfect cross to find the big striker in the box and his deft header found the side netting. Jacob was then instrumental in the build-up to the third. After some neat one-twos in the middle of the pitch, a lofted ball was sent towards goal and Jacob's clever flick sent Kareem free down the left. He then fired a low cross to the edge of the box and Kane fired a low shot into the far corner. The old warrior, Bracken, could not keep that one out following a string of fine saves.
Somewhere in all of that, Westfield thought they had a penalty when a player felt a contact from behind and went down. They probably felt it was a foul, as the referee had awarded similar instances of diving outside the box, but they simply don't count inside.
The referee blew his whistle to bring up our third 3-0 win in a row, and now we get ready to face Westfield (again) in the FA Cup on Saturday …
Before the game, there was a common thread amongst the fans who had gathered early in the bar before the game; just how many terrible defeats we had suffered here. This was not the opening game of the season we had hoped for.
Our fears were eased with an early goal from the returning Breckon. Out on the right, he took the ball down on his chest and advance on goal. He feigned to shoot, committing the 'keeper with a dive to his right, and so with the ball already heading towards the goal he just left it to roll in by itself. 1-0.
If the 'keeper felt embarrassed by that goal, he could walk into the dressing room with his head held high with three or four saves that kept Westfield in the game. A curling effort from Waters and a close range chance from Hogan forcing two of the more spectacular saves.
I was asked at halftime for my score prediction, and I said it would either be three of four nil OR a one-all draw; I feared we would be punished for not taking or chances. Luckily, the captain stepped up and made the game safe.
His first goal was a shot outside the box. The ball did take a deflection, but I don't think it altered the outcome. He then pounced on a loose ball in the box, after another save from the busy Westfield 'keeper, and picked out the top right hand corner. 3-0.
Sonny Wheeler kept his clean sheet bonus intact with a fine save of his own and the game finished 3-0 to set us on our winning way. So from one bogey team to another… South Park come to the Grove on Tuesday…
Leatherhead safely made their way into the Qualifying Round Proper, following the kind of professional performance that was called for on Saturday. From the start, Leatherhead controlled this game with the hosts missing only one clear chance.
We were still guilty of squandered opportunities ourselves. Early in the game, Lukas was put through on goal for a one-on-one chance but could only find the post. There were several other chances that were blocked or saved until we got our breakthrough.
Nathan Hogan has really impressed over these two games and both of his goals were things of beauty. The ball came to him at about thigh height, but he still managed to get the perfect touch to both beat his man and allow for a clear shot at goal. Their 'keeper appeared to have had one less Red Bull than he had had on Saturday, so could only get a slight touch on it and couldn't prevent it from hitting the side netting.
Half time and I pictured Ian Selley sat in Linekar's Bar having just finished his Full English and sending his team talk via WhatsApp. No need for the second jug of sangria, as Sam De St Croix eased the nerves by firing a shot through a crowded box and it found the back of the net. It took a massive deflection from a defender, but I can confirm it was heading into the bottom corner with the 'keeper well beaten.
Nathan Hogan doubled his tally with a fine piece of individual play. Chasing a ball down the left, he dragged it back, changed direction and opened up for a left footed shot into the far corner. He ran off to the corner flag for a well-earned celebration. The hosts were not happy with this as they felt one of their players was fouled in the build-up, but they had cried wolf a number of times and the ref had waved play on.
So, now we face Westfield. A side we will get to know a little better when we face them on Saturday in the league…
To lose this game, this early in the season, would be unthinkable but somehow we rushed to a two nil deficit to make it look like our season was over before it even started.
Phoenix Sports came out and bossed the game from the start, playing in confident triangles and bullying our players as we hardly laid a glove on them. Meanwhile, they capitalised when Sonny dropped a low shot for a tap in on six minutes. Eight minutes later, it was 2-0 when they managed to flick on a corner to the back post for another easy finish.
I was so distraught at halftime, I burst into the dressing room announcing my research was all wrong. They didn't finish comfortably 16th in the Isthmian South East, as their website suggests, and were in fact relegated to the Southern Counties East League Premier Division. The look of relief on their faces allowed Ian to then resume his team talk and they came out a different side.
It only took three minutes for us to start the comeback. There was a coming together in the box as well as a handball, so the ref gave one of them and Breckon calmly slotted it into the bottom left corner.
On 60 minutes, the comeback was complete when we broke free and had the composure to square the ball to Nathan Hogan who finished at the near post.
Both sides appeared to accept their fate of a replay as neither wanted to lose the tie, so off we go to Barnehurst on Monday with the NEW GROUND KLAXON ringing in our ears…
Not so long ago, this pre-season friendly made perfect sense, and I was looking forward to it but now, due to the FA's new coefficient, we are just a few days before the extra-preliminary round it didn't look so appealing. The players seemed to agree as they tentatively saw out this game out, while Farnham played with more freedom.
Another reason to hold the friendly may have been to cash in on their large supporter base, but it appeared the only person who came to watch Farnham was Marc White as he prepares for his friendly against them soon. Marc did not have to wait for Farnham to open the scoring when they were awarded an absolute stinker of a penalty. Hardly any contact but he pointed to the spot and it was 0-1.
Farnham soon raced to a three-goal lead when twice Sonny rushed off his line to close down a pass, only to be beaten and the ball calmly rolled into an empty net. 0-3 and half time.
To be fair, Leatherhead did come out and for the first time looked really committed to get into the game and got their reward from penalty. Sam De St. Croix stepped up and obviously felt bad about scoring against his old team so sent the 'keeper the right way and it was saved. He scored on the follow up for this penalty, but when we got awarded another one for handball, he sent the 'keeper the same way and it was saved.
Farnham made it 1-4 from a nice move down the right to finish us off. That concludes the preseason friendlies, and now we get stuck into the FA Cup and the visit of Phoenix Sports on Saturday…