Travelling Tanners

Another tough trip for Hayden and his new-look team as we take on 4th placed Chertsey.

I'm in birthday mode, so will miss this one but I will be following from the safety of St Albans...

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

Merstham 1 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead win!  It certainly didn't feel like it would happen with a Merstham side happy to waste time and make like very difficult.  I have no idea who they are waiting to play at home before giving it a go but their lack of ambition cost them.

The first half was a complete waste of time but things came to life in second.  The signs were there when Tarpey missed a chance and Merstham cleared off the line.  Then Trey Williams was released down the right and his powerful and low shot found the bottom corner.  Wild celebrations followed.

Celebrations were short lived.  Merstham's plan of time wasting went out the window and they pressed for an equaliser.  In the chaos that followed we cleared as best we could but a Merstham player flung a boot at a ball some 25 metres out and in it flew.

Merstham soon sunk back to winding down the clock and a win looked hopeless until Dan Hector picked up the ball in the box, beat a few players and then unleashed a shot that flew in via the far post.

A much needed three points before we take on Chertsey next week...

Travelling Tanners

They all count, as we notched up our first win under Hayden in the week.  We certainly needed something to build on as tomorrow's trip to Merstham is massive.  A loss there could easily see us drop to the foot of the table.

Hopefully the rain won't prevent the game from taking place but keep your eyes open for updates.  Kick off at 3pm.  Directions can be found here.  See you there!

East Grinstead 1 - 1 Tanners

Somehow I got everything about this game wrong but everything turned out OK in the end.

Leatherhead's woes seemed to be getting worse when their bright start was rebuffed and the hosts scored.  The warning signs were there when a powerful shot nearly caught out Luke as it moved from right to left in the air.  Soon after another powerful shot was unleashed and Luke had no chance.

Leatherhead lost their way but got a much needed goal from a set piece.  From out wide a ball was sent to the far post and it dipped enough to beat the 'keeper and go in off of the post.

Second half saw chances to both sides, the best chance falling to East Grinstead in the last few minutes... but it went over and then straight to penalties.

We sent in our two big guns, Tarpey and Jermaine, but neither could find the net with East Grinstead scoring one from their opening two penalties.

Parity was preserved until, ex-Leatherhead legend, Steve Sargent stepped up to win it for East Grinstead.  His thoughts must have turned to THAT set piece and he instinctively fired the ball towards the corner flag.

With Levred making their next penalty, suddenly the pressure was on the hosts and after a couple of rounds it told and Luke saved.  This sets up a home tie with Ks who will be delighted to see Hayden again...

Travelling Tanners

For some this will be a NEW GROUND KLAXON as I don't recall us playing them before but for some reason I have visited our new friends.

Things looked good on Saturday until a 9 minute collapse saw the much needed points slip away.  Our hosts are higher up the table than Chipstead so we can expect a tough game.

If the trip is too far, Corinthian-Casuals use our ground again tonight... but otherwise directions can be found here.   Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

Tanners 2 - 3 Chipstead

An unbeaten run in the league comes to an end, despite building a two goal lead.

I wasn't at the game but by all accounts we looked bright for half an hour, then we were under the cosh. Scored against the fun of play from a great Tarpey free kick, hit the bar and then scored a second from the new guy Reise. 

And then it all fell apart with a defence like swiss cheese. Only one of the new players (Reise) looked like he had settled in.

Plenty for Hayden to think about before the trip to East Grinstead on Tuesday…

Chipstead are coming!

A new Hayden era kicks off with a visit from Chipstead today.  We find ourselves at the wrong end of the table and looking for a goal at home, let alone a home win.

Kick off at 3pm.  Good luck fellas.

Tanners 0 - 0 Basingstoke

The first scandal of the day was Swannel, the club's new mascot, entered the field of play naked; forgetting to put his shirt on.  With so many children there, I'm sure he will be on some form of list before too long.

Leatherhead were hosting a side that recently travelled to Chertsey and beat them comfortably, so it was unsurprising Leatherhead didn't go all out looking for their first home leage goal.  

It nearly came though when Mitchel headed just wide and Day decided to try and get his head (normally seven feet off of the ground) to a low ball rather than kick it.

Second half and I was unsure if Basingstoke were playing for a draw or trying to win as timewasting was punctuated with genuine attempts on goal.  They thought they had scored when a ball hit the post and was snatched off the line by Luke.

Leatherhead did push for a winner but Basingstoke were just too solid and composed in defence.

No competitive game now for two weeks so there will be friendlies to look out for...

Basingstoke are coming!

I don't know if my memory is playing tricks on me but today we welcome a side that once had Bruce Grobbelaar play for them... 

Oh to be able to buy a goal today though, with Leatherhead failing to score in their last few games and have yet to ripple the net at home in the league.

By contrast, Basingstoke are doing very well for themselves and will be looking to put more space between themselves and the play-off-chasing pack.

Kick off at 3pm.  Could be a big crowd so get there early.  See you there!

RPV 2 - 0 Tanners

On a night which brought out the big coat from the cupboard, Leatherhead were beaten by Raynes Park Vale in another friendly.

The first half was largely uneventful.  Jermaine was fired up and wanted something from the game.  Our number 3 was certainly fired up when he disagreed with the ref over an award of a foul throw.

Second half and there was more intensity from Leatherhead but it failed to produce a much needed goal.  Shots were blasted straight at either the nearest defender or at the 'keeper.

The opening goal was scored by Leatherhead... into their own net.  The second was beautiful as it was simple.  A lofted ball over our right back was chased and delicate chipped into the side netting.

2-0 it ends and to top off the evening I was, rightly, told off for eating the players' post match food...

Onto Basingstoke on Saturday then...

Tanners 0 - 1 Farnham

Still no goals for Leatherhead in a friendly played in fine conditions and a competitive spirit.

I was quite impressed with the turn out for this game.  The fine  weather brought in  a reasonable crowd to watch what was,on the whole, an uneventful game.

Farnham were taking this perhaps a  little too seriously when two fouls in quick succession on the same player saw him limp off.

Their goal was very much true to Leatherhead's form.  A powerful shot thundered  off of the bar only to find a player on the edge of the box.  With our 'keeper on the floor having committed to saving the first shot it only took a well  placed shot to beat him and any defenders trying to close the danger down.  1-0.

On to  Raynes Park Vale on Tuesday for another friendly with, hopefully, goals from Leatherhead.

Farnham are coming

Farnham Town arrive at The Grove for a friendly today.  A day off, due to an early Trophy exit, means we have a Saturday to try and learn how to score goals again.

I'll be there to install a new feature at The Grove and the bar will be open.

Kick off at 1pm.  See you there!

Tanners 0 - 0 Southall

A Southall side that appeared to come for a draw go home the happier side as a game that was described, politely, as attritional  was played out last night.

I thought it was going to be very different when Archie Burnett made a darting run in the box and went over... the ref blew his whistle and I thought we got a penalty for the worst dive I have ever seen but it was for offside.  That was largely the action for the first half  done and dusted with.

Second half was harder to watch until a sequence that brought about three chances over 10 seconds.   Tarpey hit the post and the ball rebounded to Mitch who struck it low at the 'keeper.  Back to Mitch who then blasted wide.  A golden 10 seconds.

Southall created little but did force the best save of the game with a low dive to stop a ball that looked destined to find the bottom corner.

No game this weekend but there are rumours of a friendly at The Grove...

Southall are coming

After gaining a point away at Guernsey, a game that local press suggest we should have taken all three, we face new friends in the shape of Southall.

Southall sit just outside the play-off places with 8 points.  A win tonight will put us just one point behind them,  albeit at this early stage of the season.

Kick off at 7.45pm.   See you there!

Guernsey 1 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead weathered an early storm not to go into half time a couple of goals down.

If hitting the woodwork was a competition, we would be top of the league this year... but it isn't and we find ourselves near the bottom.

Therefore when Guernsey scored from a ball over the top those who made the trip must have feared the worst.  That was until Tarpey was brought down in the box and coolly slotted away the penalty.

A point on the road before we face Southall on Tuesday at home...

Travelling Tanners

After the disappointment of the FA Trophy, Leatherhead turn their attention back to the league and the trip to Guernsey.

The first time we played our hosts we lost our in form striker, due to new father duties, but still took a large travelling contingent.

This trip, the uncertainty over the date etc. will mean few will make the trip but all current strikers travel.

Kick off at 2pm.  Good luck fellas. 

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead face Walton & Hersham in the FA Sodding Trophy tonight in our third attempt to beat our hosts in the last 12 months.

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

Tanners 1 - 2 Chichester

Leatherhead crash out of the cup after Chichester secured their first away win of the season.

Everything looked straight forward for much of the second half.  Our hosts didn't much on or off the pitch, so when we scored I felt the cup win was ours.  

We were a touch fortunate after the ball struck the hand of our player which allowed him to control and pass to Buchanan who smashed it home. The scorer went on to hit the post with a near header moments later.

The damage was done for Leatherhead two minutes either side of half time.  First it looked like Keane was fouled to allow the Chichester player to make enough space to shoot from distance.  

Then into the second half and they scored again.  Our 'keeper made an initial save but could not get to the 50:50 in time and the ball was slid under him.

Leatherhead looked lackluster and short of ideas but did somehow manage to hit the post another time.  McGlashan came on to increase the quality down our right and while the last 5 minutes saw us knock on the door, our shots were smothered.

Perhaps on another day the deflection that took our shot onto the bar goes in... but today it didn't and those that had flights to Guernsey booked can breathe a sigh of relief.

Onto next Saturday and the bloody waste of time that is the Trophy.

Chichester are coming

Chichester make their way up from the South East division, to play in this FA Cup First Qualifying Round game.

Our guests have only tasted defeat once this season,  losing just 1-0 to Lancing last week.  We, on the other hand, have not got off to the best start in the league BUT the FA Cup game was the stand out performance of the season so far.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Tanners 0 - 2 Walton & Hersham

It wasn't just a cutting edge missing today. It was the knife the bread and the butter.

Despite a more assured defensive display, Leatherhead were unable to find other players in green once they got into attacking positions and caused W&H very few problems. 

3 points from 4 games is about as welcome as a topless half time FaceTime call from the beach. 

A very disappointing start for a team fancied to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

If we play better in the FA Cup next week, questions will need to be asked about the effort being put into league games by players who should be getting better results.