Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead enter the FA Trophy tomorrow with an away trip to Canvey Island.  This week has given Leatherhead plenty to think about, notably their appalling inability to defend corners…

Leatherhead were also given a robust work out on the pitch by Farnborough in the week.  The Conference South visitors running out 5-2 winners in the midweek friendly.  Good to see Vas on the score sheet.  The full report can be found here by the way.

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

 

 

Friendly night

The club have arranged a mid-season friendly against Farnborough Town tomorrow night.  I am not entirely sure how this will help us prepare for the trip to Canvey Island in the FA Trophy but still a good way to spend a Wednesday night.

It is free for season ticket holders and just £5 for everyone else.  Kick off at 7.45.

I have also realised I have forgotten to write a match report for the Margate game.  I completely forgot there was a game.  750 people watched in stony silence while 15 Leatherhead fans wondered when the game was going to start.  Margate pretty much controlled the game from start to finish, showed little ambition and got their goal from a thunderous strike in the first half.  The usual result when it comes to celebrating my birthday at a game.

 

Travelling Tanners

Tomorrow is a game I have been looking forward to for a long time.  A trip to Margate always seem to typify the ultimate English away trip.  A lengthy drive to the coast, a big name, a chance to meet Buster Bloodvessel and a stay in Fatty Towers… some 16 years on from this dream I am now staying in a Hilton somewhere to celebrate my 40^th birthday with a wife and two kids alongside…

The birthday is a worry.  Leatherhead have only won once on my birthday weekend.  That win took us into the 1^st rounds proper of the FA Cup so perhaps we save it for the big games.

Kick-off is at 3pm.  Location is found here.  That’ll do nicely!

Tanners 2 - 0 Wingate & Finchley

Karl Rook had one of his best games for us today.  The two goals a rather obvious contribution but the defenders simply couldn’t come to terms with his style of play that so often has seen the yellow card being shown his way.

Considering our opponent’s league position the steady approach to the game was pleasing.  We limited them to a few chances and we perhaps edged on possession.   Our opening goal came when a high bouncing ball down the middle put Rook through one on one with the ‘keeper.  Both players seemed to hesitate but it was Rook who managed to compose himself first to chip the ball over the ‘keeper.  1-0 and “not much to write about”.

Second half and it was very much the same but the visitor’s frustration in Rook grew.  Two or three cards were issued for telling the ref he was being gullible to the tactics alone.  Then the goal that made us look very safe with the three points.  Dolby found Stacy on the edge of the box whose powerful shot was pushed into the path of Rook.  Three yards out and no mistake.

The new left back Adam didn’t make the best impression on his debut.  A soft yellow in the first half was complimented with a nailed on one and so a red was added to the collection.

Margate Saturday then.  My birthday weekend, so don’t expect a win…

 

Wingate & Finchley are coming

Leatherhead are back in league action after the International break and I am very much looking forward to getting to see some football again.

Wingate & Finchley sit six points above us having lost to Hendon in a seven goal thriller in the week.  Meanwhile at the Grove, talk of a new signing at left back and the best position for the player of the month should make for an interesting afternoon.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

South Park 0 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead progress onto the next round of the league cup thanks to two Stacy Long goals.  Life has started without Vas, whose departure must have come as a bit of a shock as his name appeared on the team sheet but had to be scribbled out.

Stacy Long was the differences who inflicted the first blow on 15 minutes and then doubled the lead with a 35 minute penalty.

A mid-Autumn break can now be enjoyed as we have no action until 18 October (subject to a friendly being arranged as was the talk on Saturday) when we host Wingate & Finchley…

Travelling Tanners

League cup action and a trip to South Park.  Funnily enough I seem to remember we went to South Park in the Surrey Senior Cup (or something) when we were last in the Premier League.  We hoped it would spark players like Greg Andrews back into life as South Park were a league lower.  It didn’t and we were soundly beaten on a forgettable night if you were a Leatherhead fan.

South Park have risen up a league since then and while we are not quite in the pointless position we were then we may go there hoping for a break from the rigours of the league.

It is hard to find… so get your satnav locked into here.  Kick off at 7.45.  Good luck fellas.

Tanners 1 - 2 Witham

It was perhaps naive of me to think we had hot upon a magic formula that was simply going to roll over all sides that cross our path.  Whether it was Rod’s mix tape that created a low key atmosphere during the warm up or tiredness from scoring 5 goals midweek, there was something wrong today as we put in a lacklustre performance.

At the heart of Witham was their defence.  A player of note was their number 5.  Limping in the first half and then going down injured in the second half, he played the full 90 minutes.  He, the number 4 and the ‘keeper constantly urging themselves and their team mates on.  Something we appear to be lacking as we were caught out at the back twice, with Wells pulling off some fine saves, before Witham eventually scored two goals.  The second had more than a hint of offside about it though.

It was a shame as in the first half we were playing OK.  Probably having more of the possession but lacking ideas of how to get past their defensive partnership.  Eventually Dolby found a cross that was met at the near post by Hughes-Mason and he prodded it into the back of the net.

Dreams of a second half hurrah were soon put to bed as we put in a thoroughly abject display and we never really looked like scoring.  The other low point that sticks to my mind was their number 5 who went down in my estimations.  Heroic defending but opted to feign being elbowed in the face only to jump to his feet when play was waved on and even laugh at the home supporters who picked up on this cheating.

Disappointing all round.  League cup action midweek then…

Witham are coming!

Tomorrow we face Witham in the league after quite an eventful game for us in the week.  Five goals was quite the change in fortune from our previous run but just reward when you consider we played 135 minutes of our best football over the last two games.

Witham come to us in similar fashion to Hampton & Richmond.  On the back of three straight wins then losing midweek.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

 

Hampton & Richmond Borough 1 - 5 Tanners

Leatherhead played this game in exactly the same manner they went about the second half against Hendon to devastating effect as the hosts we humbled and at times humiliated thanks to their hapless ‘keeper.  While he played his part in the majority of the goals, you make your own luck when you apply the pressure we sustained for much of the game.

The fun and games started as early as the tenth minute.  A bouncing ball down the centre of the pitch was challenged by Hughes-Mason and the ‘keeper outside the box.  Rather than head the ball, the ‘keeper opted to try for a high kick but only managed to slice the ball towards the empty net.  Hughes-Mason did the decent thing to tap it in to avoid an own goal for the ‘keeper.

Leatherhead’s lead did not last long, just 7 minutes in fact.  There was something familiar about the goal.  A striker drops deep, gets the ball, turns, picks out a pass to set up a free run on goal.  Shouts of “tighter” are not having the desired effect.

We could have felt hard done by but seven minutes later we were back in good spirits.  A shot from Stacy could only be parried onto the penalty spot.  The ‘keeper failed to react and sat on the floor helpless as Semakula powered his shot into the back of the net.

These goals were pretty funny but nothing could prepare us for what happened 10 minutes later.  Again the ‘keeper failed to deal with a shot and he parried it into the air.  He dived but rather than catch it, opted instead to palm it into the air again as if he was a volleyball player desperate to keep the rally alive.  The ball fell to Karagiannis who spiked the ball back with interest and the ball flew in off the post.  The post coming to our assistance for once!

Second half and we continued to apply the pressure but our goals came from set pieces.  The fourth was a ridiculous free kick from Stacy.  25 yards out and the ‘keeper was beaten near post.  A brilliant piece of awareness and skill to get it so perfectly past the defender and the right side of the post.  You shouldn’t be beaten from there near post though.

We did have two goals ruled out for offside before we won a penalty which Rook calmly placed for 5-1.

Awesome stuff and hopefully we can keep this attacking shape for another crucial game at the weekend…

Travelling Tanners

A big one tonight as we reacquaint ourselves with the Beveree Stadium as we take on Hampton & Richmond Borough.  A few weeks ago they were not enjoying life in the Premier League but three wins in a row see them leapfrog us to mid-table while we look nervously at the relegation zone.  Early days in the season but such has been the turn of fortunes some are questioning when this blip will end.

Kick off at 7.45.  You can find them here.  See you there!

Travelling Tanners

No action for Leatherhead on account of us being out of the FA Cup so we are off to see a team close to our hearts tomorrow.  Dorking Wanderers v Biggleswade.  Dorking Wanderers are what Liverpool are to Southampton.  They take on our players while the bigger club climb the table.  All for a small fee of £50 million.

Kick off at 3pm.  They can be found here.

 

Tanners 2 - 3 Hendon

Leatherhead lose out to a single goal in a game that will be remembered for a spirited second half performance and the shocking inconsistency of the ref.  His performance  saw a Leatherhead player sent off for daring to challenge a 50/50 ball with a ‘keeper while the visiting team went unpunished for kicking the ball away and dragging back players who were through on goal.

First half and we lacked composure, gifting possession to Hendon and none more so than a weak back pass that fell perfectly into their onrushing striker who finished with an assured shot past Wells.  

The second goal came from an excellent display of attacking football from the visitors.  Their number 11 eluded two or three of our defenders before looking up and deftly chipping Wells who had perhaps gone to ground too early.  The ball may have cross the line under its own perfectly weighted steam but a greedy striker was at hand to make sure.  2-0.

Leatherhead meanwhile had collectively decided the best way forward was to shoot from range.  Why not with some of the goals we have scored so far this season and it paid off when Smart fired home a fine goal from distance.  Alas we then proceeded to allow their striker a completely unchallenged header at the far post to restore their two goal cushion.

Second half and Leatherhead came out that we could beat Hendon playing ball to feet football and we came close in doing so.  The comeback seemed on when the superb Dolby drove in a cross which Dembele fired home.  The ref then came to the fore…

In both halves Long had beaten his man only to be pulled to the ground.  Unsporting behaviour is most people’s books but the ref decided a word was all that was needed.  When ahead Hendon on three occasions kicked the ball away after the whistle was blown.  Again such unsporting behaviour was tackled with an unheeded word as by now it was clear there was no consequence to their actions.  A flash point arrived when Smart was pulled to the ground in the middle of the pitch, the ref saw differently and awarded a free kick.  A small fracas erupted which the ref spent several minutes discussing and a yellow for each player was issued.

Back to the game but not without mention of the ref.  Leatherhead won a free kick on the edge of the box (this was shortly after the failure to show a yellow card for the worst of the two assaults on Long) which was whipped in only for the keeper to flap at it twice.  As the ball fell to the ground Hughes-Mason stretched to try and force the ball home.  The ‘keeper smothered the ball which looked dangerously close to being over the line for an equaliser.  Some people behind the goal even celebrated but no goal was awarded but a foul, then as the ‘keeper decided to walk 10 metres and go down again if shot the ref reacted and sent Hughes-Mason off.

This actually made little effect to the pressure we applied and kept Hendon defending deep until the ref blew his whistle.  Early in my opinion given the time he took to lecture players.

Another winless game and a point closer to the relegation zone but at least the fans walked away asking “what if?” instead of “why do I bother?”

Hendon are coming

Looking at last year’s table Hendon were leading the chasing pack finishing 8^th but still some 13 points from the play-offs.  This season they are no doubt looking to improve and arrive at The Grove in 5^th place having only lost two games.

After a good start Leatherhead have not found winning easy but are still chipping away with the draws to keep us mid table.  Perhaps tonight we can beat the woodwork which we have struck so readily in recent games.

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

Tanners 0 - 2 Enfield Town

I am no expert, I have never managed a football team before BUT I am an accountant and studied statistics and the recent results have not made good reading.  No wins in the last 7 games.  Out of the FA Cup to lower opposition.  A draw against a side with 10 for much of the second half and finished with 9.  Today we were bossed around by a side where we could have hoped for more a month ago.

The main problem, as far as the fans behind the goal see it, is tactic being deployed recently.  Our best players pushed out wide feeding on scraps and with slow lofted balls into Rook who is asked to do a job he seems uncomfortable with.  He opened the season scoring when running onto whipped in crosses.  Now with his back to goal, heavily marked and trying to deal with an obvious ball in the penalty box it is slim pickings. 

Leatherhead had two spells worth typing about.  In the first half they had five minutes of pressure.  Karagiannis hit the post and a ball fell at the feet of Jerry in front of goal but he couldn’t adjust in time to strike.  True to form we were caught on the break and a swift move brought their opener.

Second half and for 45 minutes were largely ineffectual.  Stacy, who had struggled out wide to effect the game, was at last allowed to move more central towards the end of the game with the introduction of Dolby and he started to look the most likely to score.  Thank god for him and Smart.

Into stoppage time and we struck the post again and forced a series of corners but as in the first half we failed to convert and down the other way they went and a cool finish beat Wells from distance.

Fifth placed Hendon come to The Grove on Wednesday night. 

 

Enfield Town are coming

Enfield Town make their way from north of the river tomorrow to visit the Grove.  We must have played these fellas before but I cannot remember it.  They certainly were not part of the Premier set up in our last outing there in 2011/12. 

We are chipping away at the league.  Lacking the winning touch but drawing our way to our current mid-table standing.  Hopefully tomorrow we can go that one goal better and get all three points.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Canvey Island 1 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead could have taken all three points against a side that was down to 9 men.

It was an incisive move that allowed Canvey to open their account.  A good through ball cut opens our defence for the striker runs onto the pass and score.  Leatherhead did respond with Hughes-Mason hitting the post at close range and Karagiannis trying his luck from range but the half ended 1-0 to the hosts.

Second half and the game started swinging in Leatherhead’s favour.  A straight red for a player for a challenge that the home fans seemed convinced it was rather harsh.  Leatherhead started to press the advantage.  The goal came long range.  Stacy, who can hit them, struck a powerful shot that was blocked by the ‘keeper but the ball squirmed through his hands and over the line for the equaliser. 

As the game drew to a close a Canvey Island player went down under a challenge but the ref viewed it as a dive and brandished his second yellow card of the evening.  They were down to 9 men and continued to pressure for the winner.  In the last minute a chance came but the shot went wide.

Another point and back we come to the Grove Saturday.  Enfield Town are coming…

Travelling Tanners

There is nothing else the Tanners can do after the disappointment of the early cup exit then to dust themselves off and get into Essex for tonight’s Ryman fixture against Canvey Island.

The preview needs nothing more than what they have posted on their site.  It reads… “This will be our ninth competitive fixture against Leatherhead, with our record to date reading P 8, W 7, D 1, L 0, F 17, A 6.”   Good luck with that fellas!

Kick off at 7.45 and directions can be found here.

 

Tanners 1 - 2 Faversham

Leatherhead exit the FA Cup after losing to lower league opposition after a largely disappointing display.  Faversham though played their part in our exit, signalling their intentions in the opening minute by winning a corner.  We did not heed the early warning and Faversham opened the scoring with a free header from the resulting corner.  Moments later they nearly doubled the score but this time the header looped onto the top of the net.

Leatherhead found their way back into the game through a set piece.  It was not going to come from open play as we seemed content to pump the ball up to Rook who was marshalled out of the game whenever he got within 18 yards of goal.

Karagiannis drilling the low free kick past the impressive visiting ‘keeper despite the best efforts of the ref to allow the wall as close as possible.

Second half and Leatherhead were more inventive in their play and perhaps looked the most likely to score.  Stacy being bundled over in the box in the first five minutes certainly looked like a good shout for a penalty too.

As the game wore on the fear of knockout punch grew.  Despite our greater possession the final ball lacked pace and was lofted either straight to the ‘keeper or again into Rook who was on a tight leash again.

The sucker punch came when their striker decided he had enough of the two Leatherhead players snapping at his heels so from 25 yards let fly with a shot that flew over Wells and dipped into the goal.  A spectacular striker indeed.

Leatherhead felt they had a good shout for another penalty when Stacy’s shot was blocked by an outstretched arm but the ref, keen to be everyone’s friend, waved it away.

Very disappointing and hardly the platform to launch an attack on Canvey Island midweek…

Faversham are coming

Faversham arrive at the Grove tomorrow drifting in on a carpet of FA Cup magic filled air.  There game against Westfield was by all accounts a classic.  Faversham perhaps felt the FA Cup gods were against them when they saw themselves enter the 90^th minute one nil down and having seen Westfield’s goalkeeper escape a red card when deliberately handballing outside of the area.

Then they equalised and if that was not enough went on to win in the 94^th minute.  With our knack of conceding late goals we should beware.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!