Tanners 4 - 1 Welling United

Coming away with three points on Saturday, after a determined second-half performance, was validation that we could compete at our new level — but that can all change with a couple of heavy defeats. So I entered the ground wondering whether Welling United, a side that probably fancies being there or thereabouts this season, would be the ones to knock us off our not-so-lofty perch. Any fears I had were soon put to bed as we unleashed an unforgiving attack that saw us race into a 4–0 lead by half-time.

 

Anas was first on the scoresheet. A Welling defender failed to cut out a cross and only succeeded in prodding it to Anas, who received the ball about 15 yards out on the right. The keeper must have anticipated a shot across goal, as he seemed wholly unprepared for the effort into the near top corner and could only get the slightest hand to it as it flew in. Just three minutes later he doubled the scoreline when a cross from the left was flicked down into his path a few yards from goal and he calmly slid the ball under the keeper.

 

Twenty minutes gone, 2–0 up, and still part of me worried that one goal from Welling would change the dynamic — but as we neared the end of the half, the game was effectively tucked up in bed. On 41 minutes, Dickson received the ball about 25 yards from goal out on the right and advanced towards goal. We all expected a cross to pick someone out, but instead he let fly with an audacious dipping shot that sailed over the keeper and into the far-side netting — our first goal at the far post of the season. Then, on the stroke of half-time, Waters took hold of the ball in central midfield and let fly after beating a couple of Welling players. The shot took a deflection and, once again, the Welling keeper looked like a man who wished he’d taken up golf instead. 4–0.

 

Into the second half, and Ian Selley activated “Let’s Not Do Anything Silly” mode as we played a far more measured game. The Lip’s Barrington forced a save with a header, and a smart corner routine might have produced another goal with a cleaner finish, but we were rarely troubled for the first 30 minutes. Then, following a number of changes, Welling increased the pressure, created some chances, and hit the post in the process. Eventually they got a consolation on 89 minutes, and had one of the earlier chances gone in, “Binfield” might have been muttered around the ground — but by then the game was won.

 

On to Saturday then, when we travel to Burgess Hill, who beat Three Bridges 3–2 last night…

Welling United are coming!

Tonight we welcome Welling United for the first competitive game that I can remember.  They travelled here in 2012 and 2013 for friendlies but cannot see where we played them outside of that.

 

Back then, Welling United got themselves into the Conference Premier before dropping back down to Conference South until their relegation in 2025.  With an opening day win, they look like a tough test for us tonight.

 

Meanwhile, you can pick your favourite Leatherhead players (well, up to three of them) and enter a side in the Tanners Fantasy League.  More details can be found here tannersfantasy.com.

 

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

Ramsgate 1 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead got one of their longest trips of the season under their belts with a 2–1 win at Ramsgate yesterday, extending their unbeaten away run.

 

We started brightly and got our reward. Kofi picked up the ball on the left, cut inside and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner. It may have taken a slight deflection, but the keeper should have done better with his attempt to save it. 1–0.

 

Shortly afterwards, Ramsgate’s No. 18 lost his head and found the referee in a charitable mood. We were attacking down the right when he stormed in from behind, leading with a forearm into the back of the head and bringing our man down. On another day — or a little later in the game — it might easily have been a yellow, but he was instead let off with a talking-to. He was then involved in two more incidents, including one where the assistant appeared to spot something off the ball, and still only got another word in his ear. He was fortunate to still be on the pitch by the time he eventually picked up a yellow in the second half — at which point he finally piped down.

 

Meanwhile, Leatherhead had gone all England in the face of Argentinian-style pressure and were defending desperately for the last 30 minutes of the half — until we popped up with a second goal. A cross from the right sailed over everyone and found Murphy alone at the far post. His powerful volley beat the keeper, again at his near post, which perhaps offered a clue as to why he had No. 13 on his back.

 

It is a testament to last year’s squad that nine of them started this game. It is also a testament to the recruitment work that both of the new signings got on the scoresheet.

 

At 2–0, with only two minutes of added time left, Leatherhead relaxed. We relaxed a little too much and allowed Ramsgate to saunter down the left, put in a cross, and pick out an unmarked player to head home. 2–1, and in we went for half-time.

 

The second half was a completely different affair in terms of our confidence and control. Ramsgate rarely put us under pressure, while we dictated the game in search of a third goal. A few performances are worth calling out. The Lip’s Barrington came on for Breckon and completely changed our dynamic up front. Ramsgate’s No. 5 had Breckon well under control, but Barrington’s pace and power changed all of that and suddenly we had an outlet. He also hit the outside of the net when he again looked to beat the keeper at — no surprises — his near post. Hogan came on and had a good chance to get the third, but opted for a lob that sailed over. Lastly, Charlie Kennett — what a performance. He won his duels and was a constant thorn in the side of the hosts.

 

We held on for all three points and headed home strangely disappointed to be outside the play-off places on goals scored. On to Tuesday then, when we host Welling, who also won at home to Whitehawk.

Travelling Tanners

Since their revival, Walton & Hersham is a side we have not done well against so last week’s 2-1 win is the perfect way to end the pre-season and get into the season ahead.  This starts with the long trip to Ramsgate.

 

Ramsgate is a side we don’t play often.  There was the FA Sodding Trophy last season and then we have to go back to 2019 where we won 2-1.  Going back to 2013 we also opened the season and won 1-0 thanks to a Matt Smart goal.  Strangely I missed both of these away trips so the New Ground Klaxon sounds for me.

 

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

Walton & Hersham are coming

Walton & Hersham arrive at the Grove today in our final friendly of the season.  I hope we can get through it without any injuries before we make the long trip to Ramsgate next Saturday.

 

Both sides enjoyed title winning seasons last year.  Our guests won the Southern League Premier South to earn promotion to the National League South for the first time in its history.

 

Kick off at 3pm.  Good luck fellas!

Ashford Town Middlesex Are Coming!

Luke Tuffs brings his side to the Grove as we near the end of our preparations for next season. Hydration breaks will no doubt be put in force today, as it looks hot out there. Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.

South Park 4 - 2 Tanners

The bogey ground of South Park restored its calamitous effect on Leatherhead, as we came away from this fixture with a 4–2 defeat. The Lip also appears not to have lost its touch when it comes to sponsoring players, as no sooner had I confirmed I wanted to sponsor Marcel than I looked over to see him on the sideline with a bandaged knee.

 

South Park have worked hard on making the ground look a lot nicer, and we probably spent more time admiring it than we did Leatherhead’s play on the pitch. It did start brightly though, as Anas broke clear down the right and finished at the near post. Danny Bracken will struggle to get to his targeted 1,000 appearances with that attempt to keep it out.

 

Leatherhead’s dominance did not translate into more goals, so we went in at half-time ahead. I sent my son off to the car to pick up a cardigan as the temperature was dipping, so it amused me that we needed hydration breaks. I hope the World Cup hasn’t made this a permanent fixture…

 

Out they came for the second half, and it all went south for Leatherhead. First, a long-range shot found its way into the back of the net, and then a smart shot on the turn, just inside the box, also beat Sonny. Sonny was quickly swapped out to see if that would change our fortunes.

 

Nathan Hogan put us back on level terms with a finely placed curling shot from the left that clipped the post and went in to make it 2–2. Any hopes of going on to win it disappeared when South Park curled one in directly from a corner and then scored with another shot from distance.  2-4.

 

Preparations for next season will have to step up with the visit of Ashford Town (Middlesex) in the Luke Tuffs Derby.