Tanners 2 - 1 Horsham

For much of the game, from Leatherhead’s perspective there was little to cheer about.  A bright opening spell lasted about 10 minutes until Horsham began to dominate the game.  During this spell we played some neat stuff with Bradbrook going clear but pushing his shot wide of the stand in ‘keeper and the goal.  Horsham’s goal was a thunderous strike that gave Ibrahim no chance after their striker had found some space in the box.

Second half and it really didn’t look like Leatherhead were going to get anything from this game.  There was one bright spark though in Theo Fairweather Johnson who had been introduced at half time.  Early signs were there that he could bring something to the game and when Bradbrook was withdrawn he was pretty much our last home.

Our opening goal came from Theo.  He had fed in Kev Terry who had blazed over minutes earlier.  Seeing that Theo had continued his run he prodding it back to him who in turn poked it past the ‘keeper.   Not long later Theo was given a diagonal ball to run in on and his deft shot on the turn eluded the ‘keeper and snuck in off the far post.  Quite the introduction.

Horsham must have felt completely robbed and the ref appeared to agree, awarding them plenty of free kicks in the last ten minutes but we hung on.

No time for a Travelling Tanners update this week.  We set off tomorrow at 8am for the big game away at Guernsey.  If you don’t know the directions etc. by now you are rather stuffed…

 

Horsham are coming

Leatherhead’s season of goodwill continues as the game tonight will only cost £5.  I am not convinced the demand curve is suitably elastic to truly benefit but you shouldn’t need too much incentive to come tonight.  Leatherhead are going well and look to try and close the gap on first place to just one…

Horsham stand in the way of this though.  They have steadied the ship from last year and, while a shadow of the team that once played at Queen Street, they can still spoil the evening.

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there for once!

Tanners 1 - 0 Walton Casuals

Leatherhead are looking very good for their second place at the moment.  While lesser managers, like Hayden Bird, choose to blast Ryman officials we have largely just gotten on with business.  True, Brady may have questioned the speed of some of the decisions the Ryman has made but recent BBC coverage is testament to the positive approach to the rest of the season.

On the pitch it was a lively display.  While the score line deceived the performance mid-week so does this one.  We were lively and deserved our 1-0 half time lead thanks to a Darren Smith strike.

Leatherhead will feel they could have scored more.  The visitors feel they could have snatched a point but the early pace setters went home disappointed.

So.  4 points adrift.  Horsham Wednesday night then we go all European...

Leatherhead 3 - 1 Redhill

A rash of goals at Leatherhead to put pressure on Peacehaven on Wednesday night.  Despite the long enforced layoff Tom Bradbrook’s form has not deserted him.  Opening the scoring in the opening minutes.  Tom Parkinson soon got into the act making it 2-0.

The score line does not tell the full story.  It was a workman like performance built on a solid foundation of two early goals.  While Redhill made it interesting with a goal in the second half, Tom Bradbrook made it safe in the closing minutes.

Walton Casuals come to the Grove Saturday…

 

Redhill are coming

Well, fingers crossed.  Perhaps there is some real hope that the game is on.  The players are itching.  Could be a great night to come down to The Grove to watch the Tanners.  Not least as the game will be £5 (according to a text message I received prior to the last game that was cancelled).

Points being dropped around us.  Exciting times.  Kick off at 7.45… look for twitter for updates though.

 

Game off

No surprise. The game away at Whitstable is off.

Tanners Aid

Not only was it a great evening but I'm pleased to say that £2,084 was raised by Tanners Aid.

Thanks to all of you for making this such a great occasion.

Tooting & Mitcham 1 - 2 Tanners

Hopefully not too many sore heads after the night of live music at The Grove as we took on our old friends Tooting & Mitcham.  With Leatherhead in control for most of the first half Draycott opened the scoring on the half hour mark.

While the home side equalised and claim that we were quite average Coyle's goal on the hour mark put us in the lead and on track for all three points.

The wood work rescued the home side a couple of times to save them from a more impressive scoreline...

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead travel to Tooting & Mitcham (subject to weather) for a crucial league fixture.  Our old friends have already acknowledged history is not on their side with 1 draw and 5 losses being inflicted over the last couple of years.

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

It's a sell out!

Great news that the fund raising musical event has SOLD OUT this Friday.  Hope all of you who have tickets have a great night.  If you do not have a ticket do not go to The Grove as you will not sweet talk your way in.  There is a good Blondie documentary on BBC4 though…

Woking 3 - 1 Tanners

While there was a notable absence in Bradbrook a strong starting eleven was sent to Woking for the quarter final tie.  The game lacked something though and it was left for the more experienced Woking (with 6 first team regulars) to control much of the game.

Woking got their reward after 20 minutes.  Their striker working his way along the edge of the box until he found room to shoot into the bottom left corner.  They doubled their lead just ten minutes later when an incisive move cut us apart allowing for the simplest of tap ins for the ex-Fulham striker Betsy.

Second half and Leatherhead had more about them.  Not quite the fight of a Tiger but more of a cornered Mongoose.  On the hour mark the increased effort paid off when we won a penalty which Darren Smith calmly slotted away.

The revival was killed off just ten minutes later when a swift move made it 3-1.  Had Draycott finished his chance when clean through it may have made for an interesting finish but as it was the hosts were quite comfortable.

Out the cup but very much still in the promotion race.  Tooting on Saturday!

 

Travelling Tanners

Quarter final action tonight and a trip to Woking, where I haven’t seen a happy ending for the Tanners but the unusual night of Monday may indicate a less than full strength side being  played.

More good news is that it is only £5 to get in.  We did get a lot of rain so I will update the site via twitter with news of pitch inspections (if needed).

Kick off at 7.45.  Directions can be found here.  See you  there!

Tanners 3 - 0 Hastings

410 people came to watch Leatherhead today.  Some came out of morbid curiousity but most out of a rejuvenated interest in a club that has hit hard times.

The first half was not an exciting affair to keep the crowd too interested.  Both sides had their chances but pretty much cancelled each other out as often is the case when two play-off placed clubs meet.

Second half and Leatherhead were certainly looking the more likely.  Bradbrook prowling in the box like Federer on the base line and he nearly turned in a shot that was dangerously parried across goal by Hastings's 'keeper.

Moments later he did get his reward.  Bursting through the middle he was one on one with the 'keeper who was rounded with ease to allow our hot man to tap into an empty net.

It was not long before Kev Terry too found himself free in the box but at a tighter angle.  Kev opted to bend it round the 'keeper and nudge it in off the post.  Classy.  Wind assisted?  Probably played for.

It all looked two easy and just as the game was drawing to a close there was a stark reminder why so many people were needed to come today.  The pleasant evening suddenly turned nasty with strong winds and hail for the final five minutes.

The strong winds that brought trees down on the Epsom Road did not unsettle Bradbrook.  He defiantly struck one in from 25 yards to end the day on a high.

Woking on Monday then...

Hastings Are Coming

Here is the deal.  The game as it stands is ON.  If heavy rain comes then that may change things but I have heard we are in good shape.

Those at the club have worked hard to get the ground as ship shape as possible given the repeat floods and police escorts out of the ground etc, so it will be good test out what new facilities we have.  Also, for those ground baggers, I understand the pitch may have moved a few degrees so it may even count as a new ground.  Either way, get on down to The Grove and support your local club.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Walton & Hersham 0 - 5 Tanners

Leatherhead are going through a little Man City spell at the moment.  Scoring quite freely and when not conceding penalties keeping a clean sheet.

Draycott got us on our way, latching onto a inswinging free kick to nod us in front.  From the sublime to the ridiculous for our second.  Bradbrook was tackled some 20 yards out as he attempted a strike at goal.  Then the moment all supporters love.  The ball starts flying towards goal and a somewhat panicked Maan could do little but watch it bobble in.  Quite the own goal!

Walton & Hersham knew it wasn’t their night and the flood gates opened.  Draycott grabbing another.  Semakula had an easy task of heading into an empty net after Maan had saved from Bradbrook.  Then finally the man who had done everything but score did.  Bradbrook ended the night with a goal.

Now the focus returns on The Grove.  After ALL this rain will there be a game on..?

 

 

 

 

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead travel to a familiar looking Walton & Hersham side with quite a few ex-Tanners on display… the likes of the Maan brothers, Dan Dean, Jon Boswell, Big Vern and Greg Andrews will be on display.  Perhaps Hayden Bird has revised his Leatherhead signing policy…

Meanwhile I had the joy of winning tickets to the Capital One Cup semi-final… then the misery of seeing Man City score 6 goals to make it a dead game.  Oh well… better luck tonight for Leatherhead I hope.

Directions to Stompond Lane can be found here.  Kick off at 7.45.  Good luck fellas.

Woking away

The tough Surrey Senior Cup draw of Woking away appears to have been arranged for Monday, 27 January with  7.45 kick-off.  A strange day for football unless the Sky cameras plan to be there perhaps...

Worthing 2 - 4 Tanners

A pulsating game down on the coast as Leatherhead came out 4-2 winners but not without some scares.  On penalties Worthing edged it 2-1 but when you have Bradbrook scoring in open play you always have a chance to overcome that.

It all started so well for Leatherhead taking the lead in the 9th minute when a long throw beat the defence and allowed Bradbrook unchecked to stroke home.  Our  lead only lasted 8 minutes as a quick breakaway forced panic in the box and Worthing equalised from the resultant penalty.

Leatherhead managed their own counter attack which allowed Darren Smith a simply side foot to restore our lead.  Half time 2-1.

Second half and a foul on Draycott in the box allowed Darren Smith to get his second from the spot.  3-1 and Dicky started the “Easy” chant only to see the impressive Ibrahim bring down a player in the box.  Worthing’s second penalty and a nervy end to the game.

Deep into injury time Elisa made it safe.  While it looked like he fluffed his chance when rounding the ‘keeper he summoned just enough composure to get the ball over the line.

An impressive win and Walton & Hersham await on Tuesday.

 

Travelling Tanners

Game on! The pitch passes its inspection and Leatherhead travel down the A24 (take it easy though) to face our old friends Worthing.

About 10 years ago this was the destination for my stag do... Just saying.

Directions below.

http://www.worthingfootballclub.co.uk/club/FindUs

31 January 2014