Tanners 1 - 0 Ascot United

Another big crowd came Leatherhead notch up their second 1-0 win over the festive season.  Again we were forced to be patient as the visitors played a cagey game.

Leatherhead showed attacking intent from the start, with mainly Dan Hector on long range shooting duty.  Ascot sat deep and invited these pot shots and it looked to be one of those long afternoons.

The first half could have finished with Leatherhead having at least a one man advantage,as Stagg was put through for a one on one and the 'keeper opted to save using his left hand when outside the box.  Had a few Leatherhead players appealed it may have been given but all we got was a corner from the incident.

Second half and the pressure told.  The ball was "stood up" to the far left-hand post and Splatts was there, eagerly waiting for the ball to drop.  He wound up a side volley and in truth sliced it a little but what it then lacked in power it gained in accuracy as the ball span into the far side netting.

We suffered a few scares in the last 5 minutes, but we held on to set up a crucial game against Westfield who will prove to be a very different type of opposition as they sit outside of the play-off places on goal difference only.

Ascot United are coming!

Leatherhead see out the year with a visit from Ascot United.

This damp and windy Saturday will see the highest placed side (13th) to have a negative goal difference come to the Grove.

Kick off at 3pm. See you there!

Tanners 1 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals

I didn't wear my Palmeiras shirt to this game, as it seems only to bring bad luck against our bogey team.

Watching the first half was much like watching a game of cricket.  You didn't need to focus on the game, but you could turn and talk to your neighbour about festivities and only turn your attention when you heard a ripple of applause or a cry from the middle of the pitch.

We looked a lot more purposeful in the second half, and full attention was needed.  Our opening goal came when Travan was slipped through a clever ball that he ran onto and fired it across goal.  Tyler Cox was on hand at the far post to bury it from close range.

Corinthians' fans were now in full voice and their team responded so a second goal was crucial.  The chance came when the ref awarded a penalty for a foul on Stagg...  

Stagg ran onto a ball but hovered over it to allow a defender to clumsily crash into him from behind.  Gus Sow hit his penalty at the perfect height for such a tall 'keeper and it was saved.

Our visitor's day got worse when their defender received his second yellow card, reducing them to 10 men.

We held on and now set up a home tie against Ascot, to keep pressure on the top 3...

Corinthian-Casuals are coming!

If the players feel anything like I did, when I woke up this morning, we're doomed. That kind of preparation, that only Dave Stevens thrived on, I am sure was expressly banned by Hayden.

Our guests will be looking for some festive cheer, as they sit in the relegation places.

Kick off at 3pm. See you there!

Happy Christmas!

From everyone here at The Lip!, Happy Christmas!

Hanworth Villa are coming

Seventh place Hanworth Villa come to the Grove tomorrow for this league fixture.

I'm still in the US and have absolutely no idea what time it is.

Kick off at 5am.  Good luck fellas.

Travelling Tanners

For some, the New Ground Klaxon will sound tomorrow as we travel to 8th place Hartley Witney.

If you are going, there are road closures (see tweets) and heavy rain and wind to contend with...

Kick off at 3pm.  Directions can be found here.  Good luck fellas.

Raynes Park Vale

Pre-season friendlies; mid-season friendlies; mid-week cups... we haven't been able to beat our guests... annoying.

Tonight, Raynes Park Vale arrive at the Grove for this league fixture and the winner will go top; albeit with us having played two more games than Chertsey should we break into unchartered ground.

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

Tanners 1 - 0 Guernsey

Leatherhead faced a Guernsey side that were determined to leave with at least a point, as they frustrated us for 80 minutes.  While sides around us were scoring five goals, we will take the 1-0 win to keep us in the chase.

This wasn't one for the neutral.  It was bloody freezing and with our guests showing little ambition, we had to be patient and pass the ball around in front of them until an opening could be found.

We could have scored in the opening 5 minutes, but once Guernsey had found their main-land legs, they proved hard to break down.

The second half was much the same until about 70 minutes when suddenly Guernsey looked to get more than just a point, and tried to score on the break.  In turn, our chances started to look more promising.

Stagg rattled the bar.  Hector skimmed the far post.  Headers were being blocked on the line.  Most of these were replicated in our goal.

A Dan Hector cross was headed on goal, only for it to be cleared off of the line and the ball landed on the penalty spot where Ollie Cook was at hand to take control and fire it into the bottom corner.  After working so hard, I almost felt sorry for Guernsey.  Almost.

On to Tuesday then and the big one.  Raynes Park Vale are coming...

Guernsey are coming!

Guernsey arrive to the The Grove  today, with the DOUBLE SOCKER KLAXON sounding loudly.   It is the kind of weather that would see Dave Blaz, our ex-groundsman, reaching for his winter shorts.

Last week we bounced back from defeat and beat last place Binfield.  Now we face a side one place higher, as Guernsey find themselves in the relegation places.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you th-th-th-there!