Game off

Table reservations in the Sai Restaurant are cancelled as Raynes Park Vale flick the switch on tonight's game.

They have a floodlight issue (we've been there) which cannot be resolved as the pitch is too wet to get a cherry-picker on there.

Game to be re-arranged...

Tanners 0 - 3 Dorking Wanderers

This is exactly why I hate the Trophy; you start to get a little bit excited and you then lose to a Conference South side... and so it happened.

There is much to be pleased about though.  The two wins and good attendance will no doubt help the finances and the performance was not as bad as the score line suggests.  Dorking were just a lot more clinical.

Before the game there was a good atmosphere around Fetcham Grove.  Ex-Leatherhead legend Macca was in the bar, desperately searching for Gary Neville or Jamie Carragher to do an interview on the pitch with.

Finally the game got underway and Leatherhead looked the part although rarely troubled Dorking's 'keeper.  Meanwhile at the other end, a wrong choice of studs (perhaps) cost us the opening goal as Will Salmon slipped on the wet pitch to allow a free run on goal... 0-1.

As the first half came to a close the best chance fell to Tommy Wood but he failed to take it.

Second half and Leatherhead continued to get the ball out wide well but got absolutely no joy in front of goal.  We pressed for the equaliser and added the attacking threat of DSane... what he added in attack he took away in defensive balance and the floodgates opened.

Two quick goals saw me heading to the car with five minutes to spare only to hear of a late Arsenal equaliser.  Bloody FA Trophy.

On to the Surrey Senior.  A proper competition!

Dorking Wanderers are coming!

For some this is the biggest game of the season, for others it is like a trip of MK Dons to Luton... either way a chance to earn some welcome funds is at stake tomorrow as we face Dorking Wanderers in the FA Trophy tomorrow.

A fine winning run came to an end in comprehensive fashion, with a disastrous trip to East Thurrock last weekend.  Perhaps the boot up the backside we needed before tomorrow's game.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

East Thurrock 3 - 0 Tanners

Leatherhead were better off without me.  After a few weeks away I returned to watch our 8 game winning run come to an end.

Leatherhead set out with no real width, forcing the ball down the middle up to Ibz and down the throat of the East Thurrock defence.

Their opening goal was simple.  A ball into the feet of their striker, who turned smartly and fired his shot past Zak.

The second half saw Leatherhead offer very little despite making three changes.  Our hosts went on to score two late goals to completely ruin the day.

Next week it is the visit of Dorking... 

Tanners 2 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals

Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, Corinthian Casuals walked into ours in the middle of a phenomenal winning run. And it was a case of play it again Nikki as we made it 8 consecutive wins. Here's looking at you, Kid.

For those not in Casablanca, we got off to a perfect start after just 30 seconds when Eddie Dsane put us into the lead after a poor clearance by a Casual defence. It looked like this would be a comfortable win when ex Tanner Emanuel Agboola meekly saved a shot straight into the path of Ibrahim.

After that it all went a bit wrong. We seemed to lose our shape and frequently lost possession allowing Casuals to get one back just before half time.

In the 2nd half we were very fortunate that Zak at the back continued to save a very high percentage of the shots on the goal on the goal. Casuals piled on the pressure but Jerry stayed firm. Nikki was considering sitting down in his frustration but he just about held out for the final whistle.

Round up the usual suspects for the next league game on Saturday in the East of Thurrock, but whatever happens we'll always have Paris.

Needham Market 1 - 2 Tanners

The Leatherhead juggernaut rolled up the A12 into Suffolk and returned with £3,000 and a brand new combine harvester to make it 7 consecutive wins.

Tommy Wood may have been recalled to AFC Wimbledon but there is no stopping The Tanners at the moment. Confidence and commitment is coursing through the veins. A Burger King was making its way through mine.

Chloe had boldly predicted a 3-1 result whereas Woody was more concerned about keeping his spam head warm as he had foolishly travelled without a nice warm woolly hat. 

Fixture congestion is piling up as we are still competing on 4 fronts. There is a chance we may need to play the Surrey Senior Cup in Raynes Park and the FA Trophy in Weymouth within 24 hours.  Nikki stated that no decision has yet been made about who would sit in the dugout at Raynes Park. 

Goals from Ibrahim and Travis and another strong defensive performance ensured we progress to the 3rd Qualifying Round when the National League South teams enter the competition. 

Those who love a day trip will be hoping we travel to Taunton or Weymouth or Bath. Others will hope we play Hemel Hempstead for the chance to whirl our shirts above our heads, chat about long term plans, and reminisce about the Chike Kandi transfer.

Just as long as it isn't Dulwich Hamlet. Not everyone has moved on.

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead make the long journey to Needham Market in fine form.  Leatherhead sides of the past would have slipped up in the Surrey Senior Cup or crumbled under the pressure we were under last weekend but we have gone on to notch up a fine string of wins.

Today it is the Trophy and we face a Needham Market side that sit in 15th place in their respective league.

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

Travelling Tanners

I thought I would be sounding the New Ground Klaxon today but inexplicably I went to Bishop's Stortford in 2003.  I wonder if we will go today such is the weather forecast for the rest of the day.

Leatherhead are on a fine run of form and would no doubt love to get this game on.

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

Tanners 3 - 0 Ware

Those that sneer at The FA Trophy in favour of watching a dull game at lowly Ascot United missed out an another excellent Tanners win to make it 5 wins out of 5.

Not just that but we won £2,450 with the chance to win £3,000 in the next round before the National South teams enter.

Not just that but 2 more wins and we could face Leyton Orient or Dagenham.

Not just that but a new song emerged to pay tribute to a former Chairman.

Nikki has shown a fantastic refreshing attitude to the cup competitions compared to a previous regime. He has decided that we may as well try our best to win them!! This new attitude has shown in 2 thoroughly professional and committed performances this week.

From the moment Tommy Wood opened the scoring on just two minutes there was only one winner. Ware never had quite enough to wear us down. Ibrahim added a 2nd on 18 minutes and it could easily have been 3 or 4 by half time. Tommy Wood scored another to make it 3-0 towards the end.

The next round is in just two weeks time. Let's hope for another home draw and more than 225 people to enjoy it.

Ware are coming

Ware arrive to The Grove to face a very much in-form Leatherhead in the Trophy today.

The Trophy is a competition I don't have a lot of love for.  Inevitable  disappointment is just around the corner, as soon as the Conference sides enter.

Kick off at 3pm.  Good luck fellas.

Tanners 5 - 2 Camberley Town

For once Leatherhead played a team two leagues below them and looked the higher placed team in the Surrey Senior Cup.  On too many occasions I have turned up to see 8 or 9 academy players fielded, held together by a handful of senior players that were sulking about having to play at all. 

Nikki got the balance just right.  Woods was not allowed to play but still fielded DSane and Ibz.  Ibz is looking good, too good; recalled to Maidstone good and that showed with his two goals and at least one assist.

DSane got on the score sheet, which I think is important for us moving through the season.

What is important is our penalty record; it simply is not good enough.  I believe we have missed six from nine now as Ibz was the latest victim.  His shot was parried onto the post and reclaimed by the 'keeper.

Jerry was even on the score sheet.  A corner took a deflection and hit Jerry on the knee.  He knew very little about it but enough to laugh to himself as the fortunate strike beat the 'keeper.

Camberley did start brightly; warming the hands of Zak on five minutes, and got a couple of goals but in truth the met a side that was inform and in the mood for the winning run to continue.

FA Trophy it is then on Saturday with the visit of Ware.

Camberley Town are coming

Surrey Senior Cup action tonight and always a tricky one to know what to expect.  On league form, we should win this but I do wonder whether our loaned strikers will be allowed to play and what other changes could be made.

Camberley Town sit in fifth place in the Combined Countries; one of my favourite leagues; only two points off of the top.

Kick off at 7.45.  Season ticket holders can get in for just £8.  See you there!

Tanners 2 - 1 Hornchurch

Leatherhead put down a marker yesterday, they could go toe to toe with the best and get three points.  Past wins were against sides we would hope to beat but this was a step up.

The damage was done in the first half. Woods found space in the centre of goal to fire a low shot into the bottom corner.  He then became provider as his cross found Ibz, as half time approached, to be put away with yet another clinical finish.

The second half became all about the ref and Leatherhead resilience.  Hornchuch scored early in the half to really compound the excitement.

The ref started to emerge as the villain when our defender clipped a Hornchurch winger in a relatively risk free area and booked him.  Moments later, Mensah bursts through the middle of the pitch with the goal and attacking players in front of him when he was brought down.  No yellow card.

Woods had received a push in the back while in the box in the first half.  We assumed the ref felt it was too early in the game and Woods himself did not complain.  In the second half, Jerry was set to head the ball when a defender goes straight through the back of him; two hands on his back.  No penalty.

Meanwhile Leatherhead were trying their best to keep the visitors out.  Brave defending was not enough and Zak was called on at least three time with top class saves.  We forgave him for the heart-in-the-mouth moment of him spilling a ball towards the goal line.

On 90 minutes I wished it was rugby where a gong would sound and we could kick it into touch and celebrate the win.  Alas, we had to suffer five minutes (plus even ore time added on) of tense defending but we held out heroically.

We play in the Surrey Senior Cup on Tuesday... I hope this does not prove to be a distraction from our now fine league form...

Hornchurch are coming

The green shoots of recovery that looked killed off during the night-time frost at Bognor, appear to be in good shape with two fine wins.   The derby game against Merstham being a highlight. 

Beating sides that sit in the bottom half of the table is all well and good, but tomorrow we face a stiffer test in Hornchurch.  Last year they were AFC Hornchurch and finished 15th; rebranded to simply Hornchurch they sit in second.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Merstham 1 - 4 Tanners

Leatherhead put Merstham to the sword yesterday and got rewarded with four goals and three points.  It was clear from the opening minutes that Leatherhead could go on to demolish Merstham yesterday, with our host's defence straining and having to bring in the referee and assistant to help bolster it... a goal ruled out for a dodgy offside and two good shouts for a penalty turned down.

Ibz has returned a much improved player since joining Maidstone and his run of scoring continues as he calmly found the bottom corner.  Woods too has impressed as his powerful shot found the other corner... the ball coming to him via a clear handball (make that three penalty misses, ref).

The officials realised that defending wasn't their forte, so opted to attack and awarded a weak penalty.  With a hand delicately placed on the striker's shoulder, his feet slipped out from under him and the ref could not wait to give it.  2-1.

Travis is back to his best and calmly slotted away our third and off to the tea bar to queue as only one person was working on it, despite the increased crowds on Non-league Day. 

Second half and it was more of the same.  Mensah broke free after performing an outstanding role of controlling midfield and got our fourth.  The ref had given up on Merstham by this point and awarded us an equally laughable penalty, but DSane did the sporting thing and smacked his effort against the post.

The intensity did drop off as substitutions were made but we remained very much in control until the end.  This only left the final whistle and Merstham manager, Barry Hayles (a man who put Southampton out of the League Cup once) to somehow find room to blame the officials and complain for several minutes instead of recognising his own inability to control our attacking formation.

Hornchurch it is Saturday then...

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead hit the road today to play in the Mick Sullivan Derby against our old friends, Merstham.  Our hosts have embraced Non-league Day, with entry just £5 if you are a season ticket holder of another club.

Meanwhile, Leatherhead have received the boost of moral that comes with three points and retaining key loan signings over the past week.

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

Travelling Tanners

A fine performance on Saturday saw Leatherhead pick up all three points, keep a clean sheet and lift them out of the relegation zone (also, 10 points off of the play-offs).  The loan signings are making the difference, so let's hope they stay a bit longer...

Tonight we have the formidable midweek trip to Margate to contemplate.  I have a Tesco delivery coming so can't make it...

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

Cheshunt are coming!

A-ring-a-ding-ding!  Cheshunt come to the Grove today in the league, bringing with them a fans' favourite of Craig Edwards as manager.

Last year's South Central Division playoff winners come to the Grove looking to build on their comfortable start.  Nothing comfortable about our Tuesday night performance but let's hope for a reaction.

Kick off at 3pm.  Good luck fellas.

Bognor Regis Town 5 - 1 Tanners

I don't think any religious leaders lost any sleep over a second coming on the south coast last night.  Leatherhead's defensive frailties were on show and we were duly punished by our hosts.

The warning signs were there as early as the fifth minute when our defence parted allowing a free shot on goal.  Thankfully the shot was pulled inexplicably wide of the post.

On 11 minutes, Bognor had a corner which resulted in a free header and 1-0.  Eight minutes later they romp down the pitch like the Harlem Globetrotters, full of tricks, while we look like rabbits in the headlights.  2-0.

Now.  The sudden heavy downpour brought water into my house so I was just texting my wife to see if this had been resolved when we started a nice move which found a player out to our left.  I only saw a boot strike the ball and sail perfectly over the 'keeper into the net.  The quality of the finish suggested it was Ibz, but in fact it was Wood.

2-1.  We're back in this... well we were until we could only push the ball out of our box into the path of the in-form Dan Smith who rifled it from distance into the side netting.  3-1.

By now it was obvious we had no midfield at all.  I felt for poor Will Seager who looked rather lost in the centre after being asked to do a job to bolster it.  Any central defender who starts the game as left back then gets moved to central midfield would look lost.  Vigil Van Dyke would look lost.  An out and out defensive midfielder is needed urgently.

Half time needed a chocolate bar in addition to a cup of tea to calm down.  With glucose running giddily through my veins I stepped out looking forward to the second half.  This optimism was almost rewarded as Travis grabbed the game from the scruff of the neck and could have had a couple himself.  Three local kids who stayed down our end for "bants" suddenly didn't fancy it and walked back to join their mates.  The comeback was on...

No, it wasn't.  Leatherhead allowed Bognor Regis to overrun us not once but twice in the same move as a deflected shot was gathered on the goal line and crossed back in for a another headed goal.

At this point I decided to make my way home and enjoy the surprise road closures Bognor Regis had laid on for us.  On the way out I was able to see Ikebusi receive two quick fire yellows and hear the cheer for their fifth as I reached the road.

We were at least spared dropping to the bottom of the table by Corinthian-Casuals inability to retain a lead and Wingate & Finchley being managed by Spencer.  On to Saturday and the visit of Cheshunt...

Travelling Tanners

After celebrating the first win I sat down and took stock of my season so far.  I've realised I haven't been good enough.  I've recycled jokes, been overly sarcastic and not been myself.  It has been difficult though, I've missed games through travel but I am not here to make excuses.  Enough is enough.  My season starts tonight with the trip to Bognor Regis.

Bognor Regis sit just above us on the table and the last time we played them we put four goals past them, beating them 4-0 at their place.  They were the true victors though as their fans stayed and sung until the end...

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