Leatherhead secure a draw in an entertaining game away at Horsham. It did not start well for us though with us conceding our first goal in the opening minute of the game. Tait was on hand to level the scores with a composed finish on half time.
Horsham’s hitmat Charman put the home side in the lead against the run of play but Leatherhead hit back quickly with a stunning free kick from Jack Hobbs.
The clean sheet run ends but the undefeated streak continues.
Not much here for the highlights reel should we go on and achieve something this season. That said both Leatherhead and their ‘keeper remain unbeaten.
There has been much talk of Leatherhead’s chances this year, but the visitors had either not heard the rumour or didn’t care as they came out confidently.
On the opening day of the season the game was decided by Matt Smart’s “worldy”, beating the keeper with a 30 volley. Such is the error of margin as, but for the width of the post, Bradbrook was denied from 35 yards by the woodwork. You can’t hope to win all your games from out there though.
Seven points from the opening nine is still a good start. Horsham on Tuesday, they won at Guernsey and will be confident going into this game…
Leatherhead go top with getting one more than the two goal lead they needed. That only really tells perhaps a third of the story as 6-3 in favour of the Tanners could easily have been notched up.
Leatherhead looked the most purposeful than they have in a number of months. Flowing forward nicely and creating chances. The first two chances came thanks to a ‘keeper who had buttered up his gloves prior to stepping out on the pitch. Twice the ball squeezed out to fall goal wards only for a defender and then the post to help him out. Kev Terry then found the net after going clear and finding the bottom corner. He was deemed to be offside.
The goal came from a swift move down the center, then out to the right and the following cross found Tait perfectly. Soon after Corinthians responded, hitting the post and then a defender on the line full in the face.
Second half. Both sides looking to score, Leatherhead perhaps the more composed although this was one of the best Corinthian sides I have seen in a while. It was down to Kev Terry to make it safe. A composed trademark finish, slotted under their keeper.
Two nil and we could dream of going top. What could get better? What about a delicate lob over the stranded ‘keeper from about 20 yards by Tait. Yep, that ought to do it. 3-0.
Corinthians still found time to hit the post again while Bradbrook's outside of the foot tap in was ruled out for offside. Good times return to the Grove!
The perfect start for Leatherhead on the road at Ramsgate today getting all three points thanks to a first half Smart screamer.
From the off Leatherhead were all round sharper with Ramsgate looking quite sluggish in comparison. Shortly after the half hour mark the dominance paid off when Smart found himself with a chance to volley about 30 yards out. In it screamed and set us on our way.
Ramsgate managed to respond in the second half and made more of a game of it. Indeed but for the woodwork twice they could have well scored as the piled on the pressure for the last 20 minutes.
Leatherhead were not to be denied though and the opening day win was ours. Wednesday, yes Wednesday, it is then for a visit of Corinthian Casuals…
| Hastings United | 6 | |
| Folkestone Invicta | 8 | |
| Guernsey | 8 | |
| Ramsgate | 8 | |
| Leatherhead | 10 | |
| Merstham FC | 10 | |
| Burgess Hill Town | 16 | |
| Faversham Town | 16 | |
| Horsham | 16 | |
| Hythe Town | 16 | |
| Crawley Down Gatwick | 20 | |
| Eastbourne Town | 20 | |
| Corinthian Casuals | 33 | |
| Sittingbourne | 33 | |
| Chipstead | 40 | |
| Herne Bay | 40 | |
| Whitstable Town | 40 | |
| Worthing | 40 | |
| Peacehaven & Telscombe | 50 | |
| Redhill | 50 | |
| Three Bridges | 50 | |
| Tooting & Mitcham United | 50 | |
| Walton & Hersham | 50 | |
| Walton Casuals | 66 |
The time for tittle-tattle is now over as Leatherhead open their campaign away at Ramsgate. There will be some time to enjoy the beautiful game without the pressure of the opening fixture as Ramsgate are hosting a National Football Day event with coaching and penalty shoot outs for kids.
Leatherhead have been scoring well in pre-season but with only one clean sheet (although this has been a feature of our pre-seasons for years) there will be plenty of work to be done at the back.
Directions can be found here. Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.
Only 2 first round ties and Leatherhead have been drawn in one of them! It's a Walton double for the first two rounds...
Round 1
Leatherhead v Walton & Hersham
Round Two
Walton Casuals v Leatherhead or Walton & Hersham
For the full draw got to Percy’s post (from which I shamelessly stole this article!).
A fine win on the road for Leatherhead. As the hosts prepare for their first season in the Ryman Premier League in their history they have been scoring well. In a way that continued with two first half goals.
Leatherhead had all the answers though. Firstly through a piece of skill from Kev Terry. Tait then got a brace to welcome his return to the side.
3-2 would have been a good scoreline by Bradbrook headed home to make it 4-2.
Home game on Saturday to boot…
Another away friendly and quite the journey too from memory as we take on Thamesmead Town. It was certainly an eventful trip where the referee found himself the villain sending off at least two of their players.
Tonight should be a more sedate affair and a chance to build on the clean sheet obtained Tuesday night against Ryman Premier opposition. We will certainly get a test, they have scored 9 goals over their last three friendlies.
It is a 7.30pm kick off. Directions to be found here.
A nice clean sheet to build towards the season tonight. Not an overly exciting game but certainly we were on top in the early exchanges. As Lewes grew into the game so it drew to a stalemate but Richard Brady can certainly go home the happier of the two managers.
Sadly a lack of team sheet means I cannot add a great deal of value. Rod was clearly showing preseason nerves and failed even to name the substitutes on the bench.
Bradbrook looked hard to handle for certainly the first. Tait got a start tonight. Oh, we had another youth team player in goal who did well.
Thamesmead on Thursday then…
The pre-season was looking a little bit skewed towards away grounds until this hastily arranged game was thrown into the mix to give us something to watch. Leatherhead have done well so far, although the first real test with a full squad only came last Saturday. This was won 3-1 against opposition at our level.
Tonight we face Ryman Premier opposition as Lewes make their way up from the south although the narrowly avoided relegation last year.
Kick off at 7.45. No ideas about the prices I am sad to say. See you there though.
A well-rested Leatherhead side came out and gave a good account of themselves at VCD Athletic today. More of the first team as we would expect to see them were on show today with a starting lineup of Ibrahim, Pezza, Jezza, Coylie, Jenko, Semakula, Hobbsie, Tommo Parkinson, Smithie, O'Flaherty, Kev Tezza.
Leatherhead’s first half performance was simply too much for the home side. Goals from Hobbs, Smith and finally one from the local talisman Kev Terry. It was certainly a relief to hear Kev made it past Merstham without getting hauled in.
VCD pulled one back but Leatherhead’s first half dominance meant the damage was done.
Next up. A visit from Lewes. Yes. A game at The Grove!
Leatherhead ran out easy winners tonight beating Alton Town 4-1. More details to follow.
Tomorrow we travel to a club I have a certain soft spot for. I was picking up a bulky item I won on eBay and found myself and in their neck of the woods to took in a FA Vase game which they drew in the dying minutes.
A few months later they were under threat of eviction and asked for people to come to one of their last home games to support their plea. I am pleased to see we are returning to that ground tomorrow. I would love to be there but sadly I will find myself in Basel…
So far this pre-season campaign the club has hosted sides like Bognor Regis and Godalming and have lost 2-0 and 3-0. Should be a good chance to see the new team take shape.
Directions can be found here. Kick off at 7.45.
At last, they’re out. The Ryman League fixtures were issued today which sets up with an away tie to Ramsgate on 10 August. As usual we miss out on any kind of glamour Bank Holiday fixture with Chipstead visiting in August with us returning the favour on Boxing Day. News Day is Red Hill and Easter an away trip to Faversham.
Get your passports ready for 1 March 2014. We are off to Guernsey,
Don’t forget tonight is the AGM where you can hear all about the club’s ambitions for the season. It starts at 7.30 and you need to be a member to participate but I understand you can sign up on the night.
With the club issuing statements over Tommy and Dartford over the last few weeks it could be an interesting one…
Leatherhead lose on the road to Romford 2-0 last night. The game has been put down as “one for the fitness levels” and was mainly a team of trialists by all accounts.
If you’re interested their goals came from Aime Blessing and Jamie Dicks.
Another friendly for you tonight and this time we are off to Romford. Be sure you go to the right place though. My sources tell me it is at the Newbury Park venue (described here) and not at Ship Lane where they usually play. Also be warned it is a 7pm kick off!
Hopefully I will get more details of this game…
Leatherhead get their preseason of to a winning start with a 3-2 win over the Kent based Corinthians. They were not pleased with the two sloppy goals they conceded but happy to come through a game played in hot conditions.
Not much news on our scorers other than Reggie Yembra got one on his debut…
Today, well there or thereabouts, marks 10 years of The Lip! It started all those years ago when the then webmaster went to Bangkok never to return and I stepped in with an unofficial message board then the blog we know and love today.
Oh the memories. Here’s to another 10 years..?
Well. Not the kindest of draws for Leatherhead this year!
In the FA Cup, Tooting & Mitcham travel to The Grove in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, tie to be played on Saturday 31st August. If we get through that we will be a home against Carshalton Athletic in the First Qualifying Round, tie to be played on Saturday 14th September.
The FA Trophy is equally as cruel. First up is Harlow Town in the Preliminary Round with the winners travelling to Lewes.
It was the first training session over at Dartford and initial reports coming out are positive. The new team seem to be getting on well.
Colin Ward’s money is safe though with Surrey bound players taking more than the stated 30 minutes…
The Ryman Official site runs an article where Hayden denies an increase in budget. Well, he laughs it off anyway.
He should mention, however, his love of Leatherhead players both past and present. In addition to the “Leatherhead three” Steve Sargent joins him, as does Jack Macleod and Greg Andrews.
There is a fella called Craig Tanner joining him too…
The Official site has published the friendlies that have been organized to date. Only six so far but often more are added nearer the date.
Saturday 13th July - away vs. Corinthian(Kent)
Tuesday 16th July - away vs. Romford
Tuesday 23rd July - away vs. Alton Town
Saturday 27th July - away vs. VCD Athletic
Thursday 1st August - away vs. Thamesmead
Saturday 3rd August - home vs. Welling United
They are falling thick and fast now as Hayden Bird continues to assemble a Leatherhead 2nd XI… Elliot Thompson now joins their ranks.
Elliott was quite the player for us. Adding some pace down the wings plus also standing in as a right back towards the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Leatherhead fans wait news of replacements…
Congratulations to Maidstone who beat Faversham 3-0 today to go up with Dulwich.
A Sam Blackman first half goal gives us the three points to give us hope.
Saturday awaits...
A bogey ground? Perhaps. A bad result? Without doubt.
Leatherhead fail to take advantage of early pressure and go down to a 27 minute penalty.
Composure ebbed away as Tommy saw red for giving the officials a piece of his mind. Brady followed soon after.
Have we blown it..?
Getting busy this! Crawley Down Gatwick come to the Grove after several failed attempts to play their first game here. This newly promoted side has settled nicely into the league and at one point sat in the play-off spots until they ran out of steam a little bit BUT they still pose a threat to our chances. You don’t score 70 goals in this division by luck you know…
Kick-off is at 7.45. See you there!
 |
| Hard hats... |
 |
| Ugly... |
Leatherhead face a Dulwich side that look even stronger than they did on their abandoned trip to The Grove.
Leatherhead look like the shadow of the side that had been on an amazing run until that point.
Football is a funny game though no?
Kick off at 7.45. See you there.
Yet again this game falls due to bad weather. The game has been rescheduled for next Thursday!
Our new friends touch down to the Grove tonight in yet another crucial game for us if we are going to make the play-offs. A rare Thursday night outing but such is the need with all of the postponements we have suffered this year.
This represents one of those birds in the bush. Let’s hope Brady has some good birdseed to tempt it out of hiding…
Kick off at 7.45pm. Good luck fellas.
The trip to Eastbourne is off but the club house will be open from 1pm.
Darts. Beer. Rugby.
Hold your horses though. According to their site the pitch is still thick with snow and subject to a morning pitch inspection so be sure to check on twitter for updates. |
| Picture thanks to @lingfieldfc |
 |
| Let's all have a disco! |
Then came the moment that turned the game. The Dulwich striker made some room for himself right of goal and fired powerfully to make it two nil. Over he ran to celebrate with his excitable onesie clad friends. Luckily for him he decided to rejoin play as a second later a large section of the wall that surrounds the pitch came crashing down.Stating the obvious here but it appears Lingfield is off. Snow and lack of orange ball the reason.
See on Twitter how another non league club put us to shame.
For a moment I thought it would go ahead. Reports of no snow in the area could create a chance but no.
Game off.
Goals from Bradbrook and Thompson put fears of past bogey grounds to rest.
Leatherhead now climb to 7th...