Tanners 1 - 2 Raynes Park Vale

A lively game ends in defeat as the pre-season run campaign continues.

The game started so well as Alex continued his scoring run.  With a carbon-copy of a Cruyff turn he left two players for dead on the goalline, made room for himself in  the box before placing the ball past the 'keeper for a spectacular goal and resulting celebration.

Leatherhead looked in real control until a Raynes Park Vale player dropped his shoulder and jinked past two Leatherhead defenders before picking his spot just inside the box.  1-1 at halftime.

Leatherhead made some changes and looked exciting.  We struck the crossbar with such ferocity it is probably still shaking.

Then some nonsense that appears to be a theme in our friendlies as a large group of players decided to push each other around a bit.  Leatherhead failed to regain composure and a sucker punch allowed the visitors to tap in the winning goal.

Disappointing but we go again away to Corinthian.  No pre-season would be complete without a trip there, it seems.

Tanners 3 - 1 Chalfont St Peter

Another pre-season friendly against opposition one league below but a different outcome from the last run out.

The game looked over in the opening minutes when Alex forged ahead with two poacher's goals.  Twice we got the ball to him in the box and twice he put the ball away smartly.  The first saw a flipping celebration while the second was more subdued.

Nikki Bull may be concerned with the manner in which we conceded; a free header at the back post.  Especially with the rumours that Jerry will not be re-signing this season...

Second half and we looked quite composed.  The third goal from some patient and unselfish build-up play, until they found Briggs who calmly found his spot.

There was nothing calm about the last few minutes when Lema was caught by a nasty tackle.  He offered some words of advice to the provider of this tackle and it erupted into a full 20-man brawl.

Unlike last week, the ref saw sense and didn't issue any reds and saw the last two minutes out.  Quickly.

More action on Tuesday, when we welcome Raynes Park Vale...

Tanners 0 - 1 Three Bridges

Last night did not go to plan.  There was some initial excitement as a new player  turned up at 6pm with boots and a reasonably impressive CV looking for a new team.  Nikki threw him straight upfront and while he showed glimpses that he could be our passport to success he failed to hit the back of the net.

Three Bridges are a league below but were going well before lockdown and arrived with a great deal of determination.  Indeed, when Misha made a clumsy tackle they were surrounding the ref.  It was probably a harsh red in the heat of the season so it was surprising to see the ref show a red during a friendly. 

The ref was nobody's friend by the end of the game.  He failed to give Three Bridges an almost-certain penalty, received ironic cheers when he booked them for diving and was generally inconsistent throughout.

Leatherhead did mount some pressure in the second half but Three Bridges used their extra man to counter attack and get the only goal of the game.  Grealish continues to impress.

Chalfont St Peter come to the Grove on Saturday...

Dorking Wanderers 4 - 0 Tanners

The day did not start well.  Sure, seeing a superfluous apostrophe on the sign to their VIP entrance sign was mildly amusing but hardly put Leatherhead 1-0 up.  It also became clear that the away fans would be segregated and stuck down just one end; I would have been grateful for it being the shaded end had I not splashed out £5 on a bottle of sun lotion on the way in.  

There was also the early hope Dorking would consider this game an inconvenience and field a weakened side... but then Marc White stepped out in a jewel encrusted T-shirt and denim skinny jean shorts.  No man dresses like that with the expectation of losing.

Despite not having the two AFC Wimbledon players, it was Leatherhead that had the early chance.  After just a couple of minutes, a ball was driven in from the left and found a player unmarked on the far post but he fluffed his lines.  It didn't take Dorking long to recover from this early "shock" and they soon started piling on the pressure.

Most of their most promising attacks came down the right and they were finding space in the box to shoot at will.  A low drive opened their scoring.  Shortly after a low shot, direct from a freekick, could only be palmed into the path of not one but two unmarked Dorking players to double their lead.  The final action for the half came from a corner, which was headed back across goal and coolly finished.

I missed the fourth goal, on account of me being the bar but came out to see a Grealish-esque player causing some excitement amongst the travelling supporters.  He curled a few shots over the bar to bring the game to a disappointing close.  Another loss to Dorking but we go again on Tuesday, with the visit of Three Bridges.

Travelling Tanners

Tomorrow Leatherhead make the trip to Dorking Wanderers to play for the Advertiser Trophy.  

In the interview with Nikki Bull, Mick Sullivan did not fancy our chances much after seeing us play Guildford City.  While the gap in playing staff will no doubt be telling on the day, that may not be truly representative as a number of trialists have been and gone since then plus the securing of some AFC Wimbledon loan players.

Tickets are limited (with a hint of crowd segregation?), so make sure you buy before you travel.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Tanners 2 - 1 Guildford City

I was at this game, I promise but somehow I missed the late flurry or goals despite the game petering out as I left in the dying minutes.

In the first half, Leatherhead had much of the game but lacked the cutting edge to get an opening goal.  Guildford's keeper must be feeling sore after having a few point blank range shots fired directly at his torso.

Second half and we looked more fluid but only got our goal courtesy of a penalty; a soft one at that.  Very reminiscent of Sterling's penalty against Denmark and those who don't expect them to be given in a semi final of a major tournament would be going crazy at it being awarded in a pre-season friendly.  The penalty was calmly put away.

Then it became 2-0... then 2-1... sorry.

Saturday we travel to Dorking Wanderers for the annual battle for the Advertiser Trophy...

Guildford City are coming...

I am dipping my toe back into The Lip! after a few months away.  This will be my first friendly and one of significance for me.

As a born and bred Guildfordian I have had a soft spot for our visitors, even making a few away journeys for some of their crucial relegation games of the past.  Such battles would appear to be a thing of the past as I understand new owners have big ambitions for the Spectrum based side.

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!