Leatherhead failed to grab the chance to move eight points clear of Westfield following a disappointing 3-2 loss at The Grove.
After 15 minutes, I understood how Hampton & Richmond fans felt a couple of weeks ago as we allowed our guests to rush to a 2-0 lead. Selley described our three conceded goals as sloppy, but I feel that is a little harsh as the opener was created from their No 9 plucking the ball from the air to create the perfect run at goal. Wheeler came out to close this down, but the composed striker went by him and rolled it into the empty net. 0-1.
The second goal, fair play, was poor defending as we had about two or three opportunities to deal with the situation before the ball was played into the area for a tap in. 0-2.
Leatherhead fans had something to cheer about when Halim was brought down by either a defender or 'keeper (they both slid in and made contact while both pleaded their innocence) and Hogan stepped up to find the back of the net, despite the 'keeper guessing the right way. 1-2.
Surely, we would now go on and win this game… but alas Westfield got a third on the 37-minute mark. It looked like Kane was pulled back to prevent him from dealing with the loose ball on the edge of the box, but the ref didn't see it that way and the Westfield player nipped around him and slotted in a through ball that was prodded home. 1-3.
After the break, we needed an early goal and got one. Anas was provided with the ball inside the box and fired his shot into the roof of the net. 2-3 and game on.
Alas, despite applying good spells of pressure the equaliser didn't come. Gallagher came the closest when he pounced on a loose ball, but his effort hot the crossbar and bounced clear. Westfield held on to take all three points, but still sit two points behind us as we look to rebuild and face Southall (subject to the weather) at home on Tuesday…