Horsham 0 - 1 Tanners

Oh.  Oh my.

Only a win would do today as we look to achieve the "Great Escape" and thanks to some committed defending we managed it.

Our goal was stunning as it was simple.  Horsham were clearly confident about getting the win so decided to play party games; the first being musical statues.  Just as Max drove in a low ball, the music stopped and they froze.  

For most players the ball would be described as chest height but for Cameron it was at knee level; perfect to caress into the bottom corner.

Leatherhead then were put under increasing amounts of pressure as Horsham tried to respond which only got worse when McAuley saw a second yellow on the stroke of half time.  At the time I thought the ref had got it badly wrong when his attempt at a tackle didn't make contact with the Horsham player but I understand it was down to him controlling the ball with his hand to prevent a breakaway.

The second half was all about digging in and sticking to the task.  Leatherhead had some luck but we deserved it.  Jacob Adams made some incredible saves.  Cameron and Mitchel threw themselves in front of every attempt they could. 

Eventually we saw out the 45 minutes and moved into injury-time... it was almost like starting the half again as the referee added on minute after minute.  We watched in disbelief as everytime we cleared the ball, Horsham were allowed to reclaim and recycle the ball without the referee so much as looking at his watch.  

With the clocks going forward at 1am there was a risk of 60 minutes being instantly added but eventually the ref found his whistle and sent players and travelling supporters into wild celebrations.

Four points behind Cray... guess who rocks up the Grove on Saturday..?

Travelling Tanners

The A24 Derby is upon us as we play our old friends Horsham in their new home for only the second time.

We lost 3-1 at our place earlier in the season where we caught them just as they turned a corner following a string of defeats in the league (although doing very well, thankyou, in the FA Cup).

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

Travelling Tanners

For some this will be the second trip to Enfield - well at least the second trip South Mims on the M25 - as this game was called off late in the day.

We're going on the back of two wins but our hosts will pose a very different problem to solve.

Kick off at 7.45. Good luck fellas.

Tanners 3 - 1 East Thurrock

Home success at last as Leatherhead snatched a win in the last few minutes where it looked like it was heading for a draw or worse.

The first thing that was apparent was that a number of East Thurrock yoof had taken advantage of the free coach travel and, armed with cans of their dads' beer, decided to stand with the home fans behind the goal.

The cherubs fell a little silent when Gough pounced on a ball in the box and headed past the stranded 'keeper.  Leatherhead looked the brighter side and went into halftime feeling confident.

The confidence should have been rewarded with a second goal when Jermaine was through one on one with the 'keeper but missed his chance to make it comfortable.

Inevitably this lifted East Thurrock who forced a good save before slotting home an equaliser after a spell of pressure.  Suddenly the sugar rush from the fizzy pop kicked in and the East Thurrock boys were full of it.

Leatherhead were nervous as the game entered the final minutes and it looked like a meaningless draw was fast approaching.  Suddenly Oyeboya (I think) found himself on the right hand edge of the box with only the 'keeper for company.  

The 'keeper tried to make a tackle but missed and brought our player down.  The ref' went for the default option of waving it away but amazingly the referee assistant (who clearly isn't in the officials' "Let's stitch up Leatherhead" WhatsApp group) waved his flag.  The referee then gave the penalty.  Begrudgingly.

Louie Paget stepped up and scored via the post to wild celebrations but with five minutes to go the supporters knew it wasn't over just yet.

Then the lively Oyeboya, in stoppage time, made a good run and latched onto a ball in front of goal and slid it under the 'keeper.  3-1 and surely we had all three points.  I realised, being the grown up, it would be wrong to gloat in front of the visiting kids.  Instead I adopted a dignified celebration to not make them feel any worse than they already did.  Well.  I should have done those things...

Three points and while the league is still not pretty reading it looks a lot better than it could have done had we lost as we now plan for a difficult trip to Enfield on Tuesday...

East Thurrock are coming

We've been here before. A big must-win home game where we turn up full of hope but leave with our tails between our legs.  Let's hope today is different.

East Thurrock arrive at the Grove, just one place above us and maintained their gap thanks to a fine win last weekend.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 2 Tanners

A vital three points on the road as we beat Corinthian-Casuals 2-1.  Not for the first time we got the winner in the dying minutes, but where we had a period of exciting "will they, won't they?" in those games this was more "they probably won't".

Leatherhead were on the whole the better side and deserved the three points but when the Casuals opened the scoring it looked like it was going to be another of those days.

As the first half drew to a close we needed something to lift us and it came in the unlikely shape of Mitchell Gough who launched into a flying header, the kind of which still has Trevor Brooking heralded by West Ham.

The second half and our hosts were really quite happy with a point and we were probably too nervous to try and change their minds.  The game seemed certain for a draw until we got a corner in the last minute of the game.  Corinthian-Casuals dealt with the first ball in but could not prevent the second ball sailing onto the head of Cameron Black, who deftly guided it into the bottom corner.

Two crucial goals scored by centre-backs which sets us up nicely for the massive game on Saturday...

Travelling Tanners

For what feels like the 10th time this season we travel to Tolworth in search of a must needed win.  Today we face Corinthian-Casuals as we attempt to climb off the bottom of the table.

It won't be easy as they sit mid-table and have had two credible draws against Lewes and Bognor Regis in the league while holding Carshalton to a 0-0 in the Surrey Senior Cup.

Kick off at 3pm.  You should know the directions by now.  Good luck fellas.

Tanners 0 - 1 Lewes

A result as tough to take as it was to watch in parts; spoilt mainly by a ref who managed to award a soft penalty and book four of our players while sparing any punishment for any of the visitors.

Leatherhead started the game well with Jermaine spearheading our attack.  Then midway through the first half he had a one one one with the keeper but scuffed his shot and pulled a hamstring at the same time.  He limped off with our chances of getting a win from the game.

The ref then saw to it to remove any hope of a draw in the second half when he saw two hands rest on a striker's back and when he flopped down awarded the penalty.

Our players became frustrated with this.  None more so than the also impressive Archie Burnett who was booked for a mere coming together but did not see anything go the other way when one of his runs were brought to an abrupt and cynical end.

Corinthian-Casuals on Saturday...

Lewes are coming

Lewes come to the Grove as we search for our first win of the season.  The reverse fixture was a baptism of fire for one of the previous management teams.  A good start soon fell apart when we had a player sent off and the resulting free kick took a wicked deflection to make 2-0... and from there it got worse.

A new striker arrives at The Grove to try and make the same impact that Merstham's two new signings did for them on Saturday.

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

Merstham 2 - 1 Tanners

Before the game I was commended for my optimism.  Should I express similar sentiments after this result I would expect to be taken away in a straight jacket.  Neither the performance nor the result give us any real hope of pulling off the Great Escape this season.

It all started so well.  A blind backpass was pounced on by Jermaine who calmly slotted it past the 'keeper on just 15 minutes.  That was the height of Leatherhead excitement as the attacking threat of our new players - dare I call the Christos Palace!? - dried up.

By the half hour mark it was Merstham that looked the most likely to score and after a string of corners to build the pressure they equalised.  Leatherhead defence stood off enough to allow a simple tap in.

Second half and Leatherhead needed a response that on the whole did not come.  We had a couple of flashes but there was no real death or glory mentality to really take the game to the hosts.

If our defence was indifferent to allow the first goal it was indecisive to allow the second.  A high ball was allowed to bounce up over the head of the defender and the Merstham striker ran in behind and placed his free shot on goal into the corner.

The game finished 2-1 and left me to go home and check my passport is up to date for trips to Guernsey.

Travelling Tanners

I have just realised I have neglected to write up Saturday's match report.  We lost.  2-0.

Our push for survival was never going to truly rest in February.  That was a sticker of a month.  It was always, sadly, going to be about our last 11 games and could we win 7 of them.... and that starts tomorrow with the trip to Merstham.

Merstham, a trip of mixed results of ever there was one.  Hopefully the club can march to the beat of the same drum and get a result...

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