Tanners 2 - 0 Ks

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…

Ks are coming!

While I believe the FA Sodding Trophy is entirely futile, today's fixture is rather nice I have to say. Local rivals and ones we beat relatively recently.

Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.

Tanners 0 - 1 Hartley Wintney

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…

Hartley Wintney are coming!

The second of four home games in a row takes place tonight, with the visit of Hartley Wintney.

Our guests sit in sixth place with a set of inconsistent results. Hopefully the curse of the Manager of the Month award has lifted…

Kick off at 7:45pm. See you there!

Tanners 2 - 2 Hendon

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 65^th 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…

Hendon are coming!

After a couple of games where I've been away, I'm back for this home game. That must be a load off.

Leatherhead will hope to retain their perfect record in the league, when 20th-place Hendon come to the Grove. It's been mixed results in cup competitions though, with a fine wine over RPV and a disappointing loss to AFC Whyteleafe.

Kick off at 3pm. See you there!

Raynes Park Vale are coming!

I'm not going to today's game. Not because of my irrational loathing of the FA Trophy, but because I'm taking my youngest daughter to university today. I feel old.

Hayden Bird brings his side of familiar faces to the Grove today. In the league they sit six points behind us, having played less game but tasted defeat once.

Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas!