Tanners 2 - 2 Canvey (Tanners win 6-5 on penalties)

It was Hughes Mason who let off the fireworks last night as Tanners squeezed past Canvey Island to reach the 2nd Qualifying Round. We are now just 7 wins away from a 2nd appearance at Wembley.

Canvey Island took an early lead after a cross was met by a free header. They say that if you see one Rook it's a Crow, and if you see lots of Crows they're Rooks, but either way we were Raven about his deft cross led to our equaliser shortly before half time.

Half time created more interest than usual as it was many people's first view of the infamous boardroom erection (not Rod in an amateur theatre production). The general view was that it was not as obtrusive as some feared. In fact, some didn't even notice it.

In the 2nd half the temperature was dropping and toes numbing, when Mahal raced down the right flank to set up an accurate cross for Hughes-Mason to take the lead. Canvey Island decided that they didn't want to waste 180 minutes of football and applied enough pressure to force an equaliser with only a few minutes left.

Extra-time was met with little enthusiasm by the brass monkeys behind the goal, and some concern for Canvey Island as their manager anxiously checked the time of the last ferry back from the mainland. A fairly uneventful extra time lead to the usual debate about which end the penalties would be taken.  The referee saw sense and chose the end nearest to my car.

A superb set of penalties from both sides made it 5-5 when Wells made a fine save to the 6th and we were through. Mike had been considering a pitch invasion but it was agreed that the perimeter fence was too high for someone with a PhD in Chemistry when Physics would have been more useful.

Those at a work dinner missed out on a hard fought win and positive signs for the rest of the season.

(Report by DominicWJM)

Canvey Island Are Coming

Tonight we face Canvey Island in a replay as we continue our quest to reach the FA Trophy final for the 2nd time in just 36 years.

Canvey Island went one better in 2001 when they defeated Forest Green Rovers at Villa Park in front of 10,007.  We can be confident of the 7 coming from Canvey Island tonight but maybe not too many more.

If we win, not only do we bag £2,700, but we also face the prospect of a rejuvenated Greg Andrews at Whyteleafe. Will he be in one of his tantrums? Let's hope we can find out!

Kick off at 7.45.  Good luck fellas.

Canvey Island 1 - 1 Tanners

It was a solid performance and a hard earned draw. We started in lively fashion with 4 attacking players in Vas and Kev Terry out wide, supporting Rook and Nwokeji. Richard Avery slotted into centre back as Jerry is out for up to 6 weeks after picking up an injury in Wednesday night's friendly!

Vas earned a penalty which Rook stood up to take but he was faced with a sunken penalty spot. The referee insisted that the ball must be placed in the middle of the crater and Rook's careful penalty was comfortably saved. Matt was smartly on hand to pick up the pieces.

An equaliser came from a deflected Canvey free kick.

Half time bought a stroll to the river and a healthy debate as to at what point a river becomes the sea. We decided it was the sea as it had a sea wall.  The 2nd half was mostly Canvey but Rook saw a towering header just pass the post, and a chance for Kev Terry bounced harmlessly off his knee for a goal kick.

Still £2,700 up for grabs on Wednesday in a winnable replay.

(Report by DominicWJM)

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!

 

Bury Town 1 - 1 Tanners

Only a supporter of the same calibre of Rod can comment how we did last night.  He skipped to the train station, ticket in hand, to make the long journey to Bury to watch Leatherhead battle this one out.

By all accounts we played well.  Stacy Long continuing to impress with an opener on the 30 minute mark.

Bury Town though wanted their unbeaten run and Leatherhead finally succumbed to the pressure in the 82 minute.

Disappointing perhaps BUT FA Cup weekend this Saturday weekend!

 

Travelling Tanners

If you are thinking of heading off to this game I suggest you start making your way soon.  Leatherhead have the 240 mile trip to Bury Town tonight.  If the journey wasn’t hard enough the task will be pretty tough too as we appear to have stalled a little and our hosts have yet to lose at home (albeit with three draws).

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

 

Tanners 1 - 2 Tonbridge

A better performance but the same result as the bubble appears burst.
Tonbridge brought with them a large replica kit wearing crowd and the side rose to the occasion. While there were a few chances the visitors looked the most comfortable.
That said Leatherhead mustered two quick shots on target in the opening 15 minutes, which was the same as they managed against Billericay on Wednesday.
Second half and perhaps we could dare to dream. Hughes-Mason launched a trademark right foot curler into the top corner.
The lead did not last long. Leatherhead failed to deal with a shot in the box and the resulting rebound was passed calmly through to a striker who slotted in past Wells.
Hughes-Mason could have regained the lead just 60 seconds later. He was put through one-on-one with the keeper but his shot was parried to safety.
Minutes later Leatherhead conspired to throw the game away completely. A corner to the far post was fumbled and spilt ball was prodded opportunistically towards goal. It squirmed under Wells to give Tonbridge their first points on the road this season.
Bury away midweek anyone?

Tonbridge Angels are coming

Tonbridge Angels come to the Grove tomorrow for this Ryman Premier fixture and we benefit from it being Non-League Day.  Some interesting ideas out there.  Bungay Town give away mushrooms and Dulwich have a “pay what it’s worth policy” (although if you read the website it suggests you still pay the same price).  We have opted for a penalty challenge for the first 30 people to register so get there early…

Tonbridge Angels will be hoping for some festivities on the road themselves having lost their four away games this season.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

 

Tanners 0 - 1 'Ricay

Leatherhead were out played last night as Premier stalwarts Billericay came to the Grove and pretty much controlled the game from start to finish.  Long was the jewel in an otherwise rusty crown as we managed only two attempts on target, both of which were deep into the second half.

To Leatherhead’s credit we only lost by one goal, a theatrical penalty which will have Jack Wilshire wondering why he didn’t earn one for England last night.  The penalty might have been saved too had Wells opted to stand his ground as their number 5 leathered it straight down the middle.

Stacy in the first half was the closest I have seen to Messi in the non-league.  With the ball at his feet he ran and skipped past defender after defender and had them falling over themselves at one point.  He brought the most telling of saves from the ‘keeper in the last few minutes to trouble an otherwise redundant ‘keeper.  On another day it would have sailed in and snatch a rather undeserved point.

You live and learn I guess and onto Saturday for the visit of Tonbridge Angels…

Tanners 0 - 1 'Ricay

Tanners outclassed tonight but were only outdone by a second half penalty.
More to follow...

Billericay are coming

The side that marked our return to the Premier league last time around come to the Grove tonight as the home games come thick and fast.  I felt we were a tad unlucky that game with some amazing displays of what we now lovingly refer to as “Chico Magic”.

Not a lot separates the two sides.  Both of us sit on 12 points but we are two goals to the good on goal difference.

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

Met Police 3 - 3 Tanners

Another high scoring encounter at Met Police but it will be the home side that will be the happier after we threw away a two goal lead.

Leatherhead started this game by far the more comfortable.   Stacy Long, a non-league Marion Pahars, and Matt Smart were pulling the strings in midfield and Rook winning flick-ons for Hughes Mason and Karagiannis to run onto.  It was therefore against the run of play that the Met opened the scoring.  A sloppy goal from my point of view.  A cross from deep found one striker alone on the penalty spot who guided his looping header over the stranded ‘keeper.  This shook Leatherhead and for about 5 minutes we were second best to everything.

Leatherhead did regroup and start launching some attacks and went on to build a 3-1 lead.  The equaliser coming from Karagiannis who was put through clear on goal, he looked to have taken it too wide but his clinical finish went under the ‘keeper and in off the far post.

Leatherhead thought they had the second moments later when the ‘keeper could only parry a shot on the edge of the box into the path Hughes Mason who tapped in with ease but he was adjudged to be offside.  Moments later he got his reward when a whipped in ball was flicked on by a defender onto another surprised Mat Police player whose touch laid it off perfectly for another simple tap in.

It got even better when a cross to the far post was met by Avery and there are few defenders that can deal with his heading ability.  It looped back over the ‘keeper for a healthy 3-1 lead.

Second half and Leatherhead seemingly had nothing to fear.  We were on the front foot and Met Police could barely string a few passes together.  Then on about 15 minutes something changed.  Their number 5 who had a torrid time in the first half was switched to right back and all of a sudden he could play and was delivering quality crosses.  The breakthrough came when one Met Polices found enough room on the edge of the box to shoot.  Now most of Met Police’s long range efforts only troubled the cricket game in the field behind but this one screamed past Wells.

Leatherhead fell into to hang on mode and a string of defensive substitutions were made.  I could see why as there was a point in the game when four tackles were pulled out of in a row so Brady probably wanted a bit more bite in midfield.  The problem was that we couldn’t keep playing the long ball anymore as we no longer had the pace to chase… but we did and so the pressure grew and grew until they got the equaliser with four minutes to go.

It didn’t look like Met Police were happy with just a point and they tried to get the winner but managed to hold on and even force a corner but it came to nothing.

We would have taken a point before the game but definitely another game of what might have been.  Billericay Wednesday it is then…

Travelling Tanners

After the 6 points notched up over the weekend there is always a danger that you could start to relax a bit.  No chance with this fixture though.  Met Police in recent years has been a classic encounter despite the lack of home crowd.

Met Police have had a similar start to the season to us.  Three points behind but with a game in hand so we are nicely poised.

Details of where the ground is (as if you didn’t know) can be found here.  Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Tanners 2 - 0 Dulwich

I am fairly certain Dulwich would have felt pretty confident coming into this game.  They have had a year to get established themselves in the league, our last meeting in the FA cup was pretty one sided and a few wall / flood jokes surfaced on twitter.  Once the game started though the flood jokes began to dry up.

Stacy Long has made quite the impression.  He scored again to open the scoring with a deft chip from the edge of the box on 20 minutes.  Leatherhead were put under some pressure for the last 15 minutes of the first half but that is as good as it got for the visitors as the Tanners went on to dominate for much of the second half.

Avery was causing Dulwich plenty of problems and finally he got his reward with a diving header on 80 minutes, pouncing on a fine cross by Ryan Mahal.

A significant win as it will give the side confidence when going into a game that is never dull… Met Police away…

Dulwich are coming

A wet and miserable Bank Holiday is forecast but at least football is at hand to brighten things up.
Dulwich Hamlet come to the Grove. Let's hope we can become friends again with our new look ground.
Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.

Tanners 2 - 1 Hornchurch

Leatherhead notch up their second win of the season against a side that is going to find life in the Premier difficult if they continue to defend as they did today.  It was clear in the early minutes we could get something from this game when they shinned their first clearance into the car park.

 

That proved to be the case when Rook beat the offside trap and calmly lobbed over the ‘keeper.  Rook has been deadly from one yard out this season and it was good to see a true goal scorers touch with this deft finish.  He went on to get on first name terms with Hornchurch’s number 4…

 

Second half and Leatherhead must have decided Hornchurch were not up to much which in turn allowed them to play.  We resorted to long ball clearances and before you know it we were camped in our half defending.  A familiar end to the game it seems.

 

It was during this pressure we got our second goal though.  Dolby down the left put in an over hit cross which fell to Smart who rolled it into Stacy Long’s path.  His curling shot beat the diving ‘keeper for his coolly taken debut goal.

 

At this point Leatherhead must have felt the job was done as moments later a long ball from the ‘keeper was met with two or three hopeful flick-ons until it fell to a striker who prodded it home to make it 2-1.

 

Back into our half we fell but we had enough about us to see it out for the win.

 

Up the league we bounce but we have Dulwich Hamlet coming on Monday…

Hornchurch are coming

AFC Hornchurch arrive to the Grove tomorrow for the first of a Bank Holiday weekend double header.  Leatherhead are holding their own and a point against Ks would have helped confirm that but we were denied in the last minute. 

Hornchurch have not had the best of starts with only one point and two goals to their name.  That said these guys know their way in this league, last year they were in the play-offs, so we should be wary.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Tanners 1 - 2 Ks

Tanners have a hard earned point snatched away in the last minutes tonight against our local rivals.  Painful stuff after we equipped ourselves relatively well for good 80 minutes of the game.

Tanners looked reasonably comfortable at the start of this game.  We perhaps even had more possession although Ks certainly had the best early chance, their striker blasting the ball into the leisure centre from close range.  Their goal was a lovely sweeping move that carved as apart and was well finished and at which point you might have expected the floodgates to open.

Not for the first time this season Leatherhead responded.  There is an online profile for Karagiannis that states he has a “sweet left foot”.  Ks would have done well to read this in advance as he shaped with his right, then switched to his left just inside the box.  His powerful shot bent in from outside the post into the top corner.  A bemused looking ‘keeper picked it out of the back of the net.  You don’t save those.

Karagiannis was in the thick of the action moments later.  Another shot whistling over the bar.  Then he was fouled just inside the box with the defender straddling the line.  The ref must have decided with one of the defenders feet outside the box it was not a penalty.  The free kick missed by a country mile.

Second half and it was pretty even but as it wore on there was a feeling Ks were going to snatch something.  They were placing us under increasing pressure and our clearances were getting more hurried.  We had our chances and Ks had their dives… their no3 was at it all game and should have been booked when feigning he was clipped when clearing the ball with the Leatherhead player nowhere near him.   Their striker was booked for diving moments later.

They did get a penalty at the death though.  No complaints with that though.  A raised hand in the box stopped a cross and the resulting penalty was finished by sending Wells the wrong way.

Disappointing but no time to dwell on it, Hornchurch visit Saturday…

Ks are coming

Tonight, it is the big one.  Our guests need no further introduction as our old rivals and it is good to be back going toe to toe with them again.

Ks come into this game with two wins and a draw.  The draw being to one of the pre-season favourites Dulwich, another side we get reacquainted with soon…

Kick off at 7.45… see you there!

Grays 1 - 1 Tanners

Rewind the clock a few years and Aveley was the scene of our first point following promotion and the score line was repeated today.

It was clear it was not going to be the same type of game as it was at Bognor.  Grays set out to use their strength and we rarely used our pace to stretch them.

Hughes-Mason continued his scoring run by doing what all good strikers should do and that is gambling on defenders mucking up.  A high ball down the middle should have been cleared up easily by a backtracking defender but he missed the ball leaving Hughes-Mason alone with the keeper and a bouncing ball.  It bounced once and we held our breath expecting a shot.  It bounced again and the keeper came out but still no shot… it bounced again and as it came down he headed the ball up over the 6 foot plus ‘keeper in the coolest lob you’ll ever see.

The game then returned to being the scrappy affair it had started out to be.  The ref loving the sound of his voice and stopping the game for chats and booking four.  In the last five minutes the ref struck and awarded Grays a penalty.  It looked soft with two players coming together in the box.  The penalty looked scuffed but did enough to beat Wells.  Moments later Hughes-Mason was again through on goal chasing a bouncing ball but before he could shoot there was a coming together with a defender.  This time no penalty came.

Second half and Leatherhead were besieged in their own half for large periods of the game.  While Grays mainly fired in long range shots they were on target and Wells was called into action in spectacular fashion.  Leatherhead did mount a few attacks with a header from Mahal being glanced wide being the best but they were few and far between.

1-1 not a bad result and off to the visit of K’s on Wednesday…

 

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead travelling to Grays Athletic tomorrow in the hope of continuing their opening form.  Four points from the first two games was more than many would have thought given the opposition.  Grays meanwhile are looking for their first points after losing their opening games 2-0.

Don’t forget they ground share with Aveley and directions can be found here.  Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Rocks 1 - 2 Tanners

Well, this is going better than expected.  Leatherhead snatch all three points after looking like they were going to be punished for not taking their chances in the first half.

Leatherhead started this game brightly and were certainly difficult to contain down the left hand side with Karagiannis and Dolby running riot.

The opening goal came from Karagiannis stealing possession and running clear on goal.  His shot was parried but only into the path of Rook and for the second time he scores in a poachers position.  Leatherhead went on to have some good chances with Cooper heading over being the clearest.

One to the good at half time and on to the second half where the game seemed to swing to Bognor Regis and it was their turn to press.  It was our ‘keepers turn to parry into the path of a striker and we conceded the equaliser.

As the game seemed to be heading to a draw, or worse still a loss for the Tanners, Bognor Regis again lost possession in a dangerous position.  With still plenty to do Hughes-Mason scored another beauty, curling past the ‘keeper to send the travelling Tanners wild.

Off to Grays (well Aveley) it is then Saturday…

 

 

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead make their first trip on the season and we are away to Bognor Regis.  A well supported side that, despite their opening loss, will no doubt fancy themselves for promotion.

The last time we went there was in the Ryman South in what we felt would be a decisive game.  A close encounter which they went on to win but they failed to win the league and entered the lottery of the play-offs.  The rest is history…

Kick off at 7.45.  Directions can be found here.

Congratulations Peter!

I have had the word that Peter completed the Surrey 100 (well 87 after Boxhill was cut out) safely and in good time despite the terrible conditions.  It was probably the hashtag #prayforpeter when it started trending that spurred him on…

A fantastic effort that puts my cycling from Guildford to Leatherhead and back Saturday to shame…

Tanners 2 - 2 Peacehaven & Telscombe

Perhaps it was the superiority the visitors exerted over the Ryman Division One South last season many will feel this is a good result.  Certainly if you had offered us a point at half time many would have bitten your hand off as we failed to look like a team but a group of individuals.  The visitors on the other hand look composed and it seemed inevitable that they would score. 

Their goal came down the left side, which was looking a bit vulnerable in the opening minutes.  The looping cross was met by the grateful striker that headed into the back of the net at point blank range.

Whereas the first half was disjointed, the response in the second half was emphatic.  Leatherhead did survive an early scare where Peacehaven hit the post but after that it was nearly all Leatherhead, pegging the visitors into their half large spells.

Leatherhead’s goal was spectacular as their change in play.  New striker Hughes-Mason bringing the ball down on the edge of the box and firing a powerful shot into the top corner.  Moments later he could have doubled his tally when his glancing header (well shoulder) struck the bar.

It got better.  The impressive Karagiannis was fed in by the equally superb Ryan Dolby who forced the ‘keeper into a smart save.  The rebound fell kindly to Rook’s knee who prodded it home to take the lead.

Leatherhead looked like they could hold on but a rare second half attack from Peacehaven down our right and resulting cross allowed for another close range strike.  2-2.

It got worse.  Whitely came on for on 80 minutes and got stuck straight into the action.  Running onto a ball and attempting to beat two or three players.  One of them was Cotton who appeared to foul him but it went unpunished.  Whitely then appeared to strike Cotton once in the initial contact, an innocent coming together perhaps, but the second strike was a little more blatant.  Cotton went down in a fine piece of showmanship and so the red card was brandished limiting Whitely’s contribution to about 30 seconds.

We held on and a well-earned point sees us start the Premier League ahead of our last outing.  Away to Bognor Regis Tuesday then…

 

 

 

Peacehaven & Telscombe are coming

Last year’s Champions come to the Grove to get this season off to a start.  Both teams not only have promotion in common but also lost their top striker in the summer to higher ranked teams.  They lost 40+ goal  man, Charlie Walker, to Luton.

Tomorrow we get to see the effect of losing so many of our players and how well we have been able to recruit.  Peacehaven may have suffered the same fate but if they turn up with players like Craig Richards then I would say not.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

12th man

The Club have asked me to post this…

“Leatherhead FC are operating the 12th Man fund raising scheme for the new season 2014/15 which helped the playing budget when it was introduced last year. The scheme gives the opportunity for any and every supporter to get involved in helping us to field the strongest team that we can every week. Understandably we have to work to a tightly controlled Playing Budget and this scheme helps us to recruit better players.

You are invited to give your help in improving our chances this season by joining the scheme and paying a sum that you can afford each week that will be used only for the Playing Budget.  I will again collect cash donations each week I will submit an updated spreadsheet to all participants who have provided me with their email address, the Directors and Richard Brady showing the details of sums collected. This will enable you to ensure that your donations have been recorded accurately.

I hope that many of you will be able join in. Please help us by letting me have your cash commitment each week. Weekly payments help us to rely on the contributions and plan accordingly, but if you would prefer to help the scheme on a less regular basis your help will still be much appreciated.”

For further please contact Richard Bligh (Membership Secretary) via email.

Leatherhead 3 - 3 Slough

No complaints on the entertainment front today with six goals and a more competitive match.  Eyebrows will be raised though at the defensive display at times, especially in the second half where we lost our composure a few times and gifted them a goal.

The game started brightly.  Not the day to have a flat tyre with two goals coming in the first eight minutes.  Leatherhead struck first with Dolby beating the ‘keeper with a free kick.  The lead did not last long with Slough breaking down the middle and calmly slotting the ball into the corner.

Into the second half and Slough rushed to a 3-1 lead.  Their second goal came with Leatherhead failing to deal with a ball in the box with the shot going through our ‘keepers legs to add insult to injury.  Moments later Leatherhead tried to pass the ball out of defence only for the ball to clip the heel of a defender and rebound kindly for Slough to run unchallenged on goal and finished with ease.

While the defending was a low point the response was commendable.  Some changes were made and meaningful attacks were strung together.  Ogeah-Andrews being the grateful recipient of a ball played in on the left side of the box and scores via the far post.

Soon after it was Slough’s turn to lose concentration and failed to deal with a free kick and Cooper was at hand to volley into the top corner.

Tanners 1 - 1 Eastbourne Borough

A game that never really caught alight as both sides set out not wanting to lose but not really that desperate to win either.  There were some bright spots though.  Players like Oceah and Mason-Hughes look like exciting prospects upfront while Mahal continues to create down the wings.

The game was not looking like it was going to deliver much so I have to confess I nipped off early.  It was 15 minutes later that the game sprang into life.  The visitors scored on 75 minutes with a deft lob over our keeper.  Then at the death trialist Matt Parsons popped up with an equaliser.

So we avoided defeat to a higher ranked side and the experience was enjoyable for Matt Smart to come out of retirement.  Important with Semakula being away at the start of the season while honeymooning.

On to Slough’s visit in the last pre-season before we get serious…

 

 

Eastbourne Borough are coming

Eastbourne Borough arrive to the Grove for tonight’s pre-season Friendly.  The Conference South club will give us our toughest test of the pre-season and a chance to see our new charges work out.

If you’re a season ticket holder it is free.  If not the admission charge is £5.00 (Adult / OAP) and £2 for Under 12.

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there.

Carshalton 1 - 1 Tanners

Not the goalfest Richard Brady would have asked for but given the conditions still enough promise for it to be a worthwhile outing.

It was a hot day, hot enough for the ref to award FIFA style drink breaks, but the game opened at a fast pace with Leatherhead doing the most of the attacking.  After 20 minutes the game swung the other way with Carshalton on the front foot.

Perhaps this is what will disappoint the manager the most that not only did Carshalton produce a string of good chances for periods of the game they were in control.  Leatherhead could have struck to kill off some of this pressure but Rook blasted over from close range.  Miller did get the breakthrough, attacking down the left he broke free and slotted it into the far corner on 40 minutes.

Second half and Leatherhead came out firing again.  Rook was denied again at close range from so brave defending blocking the ball on the line.

In the closing 15 minutes Leatherhead came under more sustained pressure.   Leatherhead had to change both centre backs through injury then went on to make a triple substitution including the ‘keeper.  This may explain why the Carshalton striker was able to receive the ball on the penalty spot, turn and shoot to level the score.

Leatherhead had a golden chance moments later when Miller forced the ‘keeper into a good save but he could only parry it invitingly for a Leatherhead player to run onto and tap in.  The defender did enough to pressure the shot and it hit the post.

A draw then, but unbeaten and onto the next friendly at home against Eastbourne Borough then…

Travelling Tanners

Bom dia!  I am back from Brazil and Leatherhead are back in action today.  We’re off to Colston Avenue for a friendly versus Carshalton Athletic.

Leatherhead have been winning their friendlies but Richard is still looking for more.  A decent score line according to the local press…

Directions can be found here.  Kick off at 3pm and only a fiver to get in.  See you there.

 

Work party

On Monday a demolition company is coming to the ground to remove the pitch perimeter wall so the club needs to save the advertising hoardings around the ground.   Therefore there is a work party arranged for tomorrow at 9am.

There are plenty of other tasks to help out with too so hope as many of you as possible can make it to The Grove…

Draycott leaves

Folkestone are promising goals galore in the Ryman Div One South with the signing of Draycott as he joins the ranks leaving The Grove for clubs to the east.  Perhaps the travel demands of the Premier are proving too much…

Rumour also has it we welcome back Louis Wells between the sticks who was with us in 2012.  News of new signings will no doubt wait until the players meet in July…

Getting friendly

The club has announced its initial tranche of friendlies as follows.  Often a few more can be sneaked in so keep an eye on the official site for updates…

12th July - Sittingbourne (a)
19th July - Corinthian (a)
26th July - Thamesmead (a)
30th July - Eastbourne Borough (h)
2nd August - Slough Town (h)

 

Season ticket details

Details of next year’s season tickets are out as follows.

Membership - £25
As a member of the club you will be able to attend the AGM and vote on proposals (i.e. you will be influencing the future of the club).

Season Ticket (£170 Adults,  £120 Over 65s/Students & £55 Juniors (under 16))
Gives free entry to all home league games (not cup matches), home pre-season friendlies and Ryman Under 21 home League games, free parking within the ground on match days, with a parking permit and parking space allocated to you and includes all membership benefits above.

Vice President
As all of the above but with refreshments in board room before the game, at half-time and after the match.  Price options are Under 60 ten year member - £1,500 and Over 60 Life Member - £1,500 OR for Season 2014/15, £330 Adults and £210 Over 65s.

The club is also offering an Early Bird discount on season tickets if you apply before 2 July of £10 off the above prices.

Contact ra.bligh@ntlworld.com for the necessary forms!      

 

Folkestone pay the penalty...

Leatherhead clinch promotion and inflict the same penalty agony we had to endure four years earlier.  Bradbrook set us on our way.  A lob on 13 minutes beat the ‘keeper and gave us the deserved lead.  While we pressed unlike Guernsey the second goal couldn’t be found.

A half ******** time ******* team ******** talk from Cugley and the hosts came out firing.  Leatherhead were forced to try and hang on and tired legs finally gave way when on 87 minutes Folkestone equalized.

Extra time went the same way as regular time but without the goals.  Leatherhead, after regrouping, held their own but as the end neared Folkestone grew in confidence.

That confidence deserted them from the spot though with the impressive Ibrahim standing between them and success.  While Draycott under hit his effort Bradbrook, Coyle and Smith all scored.  Ibrahim saved two and his presence no doubt played a factor in the last telling penalty striking the post.

Promotion!  Time to start planning for some new grounds…

Travelling Tanners

Luke Pigden.  Four years ago it was his open goal miss that led us into the fateful penalties that night where we lost 5-3.  Only Kev Terry remains from that side that now looks ready for a serious challenge tomorrow.  Folkestone’s recent form also makes them look a different proposition from the one that visited the Grove not so long ago.

So, the final beckons.  Pity it is away but a fitting end to a very good season.  We have Bradbrook in form and while Guernsey had Ross Allen we must now try and keep a player bound for the league quiet.

Kick off at 3pm.  Directions here.  Hope to see you there…

 

Tanners 3 - 2 Guernsey

Leatherhead forge ahead into the final thanks to goals from Smith and Bradbrook.  Leatherhead got off to the dream start with Smith opening the score as he ran onto a Bradbrook flick on minutes into the game.   Bradbrook minutes later took the ball on the edge of the box, made room for a shot and curled his strike into the top right corner.  A goal that even made Matt Le Tissier sit up and take note on twitter!

Another Bradbrook goal in the second half when he pounced on a knock down from a corner put us in charge.  Until the 75^th minute it was all Leatherhead and Guernsey were lucky not to go 5-0 down when two clear chances went begging.  Guernsey was finding life with Bradbrook far too difficult and for a spell targeted him with some unpunished rough stuff.

Guernsey did get one back and suddenly the momentum changed and we were hanging on at the end when they scored another ten minutes from the end.  All in all a perfect finish. Guernsey had some goals to think about in the Premier Inn, we celebrate a hard fought win.  So many good performances do dwell on.  Smart and Smith broke up attacks in midfield.  Ryan at right back had the beating of their left back.  Bradbrook couldn’t be touched.  Jerry and Coyle kept Ross Allen quiet for much of the match.

On to Folkestone then on Saturday. Hopefully they will have some tired legs after their extra time win against Hastings last night…

Tanners 3 - 2 Guernsey

Leatherhead forge ahead into the final thanks to an early Smith goal and two from Bradbrook.
Guernsey looked like they could come back but we held strong.
Off to Folkestone on Saturday then...

Guernsey are coming

Semi-final night tonight and Ross meets Brad at last.  The kind of showdown that would have Jamie Redknapp over at Sky Sports analysing in depth.  On the plus side, Guernsey’s fall from a position of challenging for second place gives us hope their form may continue.

 

The winner will either be hosting Hastings or travelling to Folkestone on Saturday in the final.

 

Kick off at 7:45.  See you there!

Guernsey it is then...

First of all apologies for the lack of updates during this crucial part of the season.  About this time last year it was my 9 year wedding anniversary and I found a delightful restaurant by the coast for a quiet meal for two.  Problem was it was Eastbourne away in the final away game of the season.  The good thing is that never gets brought up again at all...  Not wishing to make the same mistake I booked something more suitable for the family.

Not updating the website is a small oversight in the grand scheme of things no?  Despite finishing second we in fact end up in third place and potentially lose out to home advantage in the final should we get past Guernsey.  A side that over two games of regular season have the edge on us.  A plus is that we should have our hitman available which we so badly missed on the island.

On to Tuesday then...

Worthing are coming

Worthing come to the Grove in the final fixture of the season. A win will see us second place. Anything less will give Folkestone the chance to nick it from us.

Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.

Travelling Tanners

Tanners try again to put the finishing touch on the season proper and hold off the late charge of Folkestone for second place.  Losing second place at this stage of the season would be careless to say the least.

Two quick fire goals quickly ate up our lead on Saturday and we were not able to respond to get a winner leaving the door open for Burgess Hill to keep their season alive.  Furthermore, today is a tough game.  Away at Faversham.  They too harboured play-off hopes but it appears the defeat away at Guernsey snuffed this out.

Kick off at 3pm.  Directions here (via Ramsgate's forum!).  Good luck fellas.

Burgess Hill are coming

An inform Burgess Hill come to The Grove in this Easter Weekend fixture.  They suffered a slight set back of losing to Faversham but they will think they have a chance of sneaking into the top 5 with the last three games to play.

Meanwhile a win for us could make sure of our runners up spot.

Kick off at 3pm. Good luck fellas.

CDG 0 - 5 Tanners

Leatherhead were welcomed to this new ground by a friendly bunch considering the run they have been on.  On the pitch they were equally as accommodating as it is clear they have yet to bond.  A defender referring to the man between the sticks as “keeper” as opposed to “Smudger” etc.

Bradbrook and Theo were left on the bench for this encounter, pushing Parkinson into the no 9 shirt.  It soon paid off with him collecting a cross at the edge of the box and stroking it low past “Keeper”.

There is one thing we can learn from this game.  Avery is good in the air.  He had already thundered one into the feet of the man on the post and soon after he leaped through a defender to score the second of the day.  The third goal moments later came from Avery heading down towards Jerry who prodded home.  He celebrated in disbelief he had scored.

Darren Smith was given an opportunity to make it four on 40 minutes.  A free-kick right on the edge of the box sailed into the top right hand corner.

Second half and the damage was done.  The home side were not looking dangerous and so we went about our business at a leisurely pace.  Avery added a goal to his tally from an instinctive strike some 15 yards out.

No one wanted a goal more than Kev Terry but it didn’t go his way.  Theo came on and could have scored a couple but luck was not on his side either.

Burgess Hill come to the Grove Saturday hoping to keep any chance of them making the play-offs alive.  A win could give us the runners up spot…

Travelling Tanners

With top spot now confirmed as being out of reach all that remains to do is finish second to ensure home advantage is retained going into the play-offs.  That good fight continues tomorrow with a trip to Crawley Down Gatwick.  A team that was flying at the start of the season but have drifted away alarmingly.  So much so a whole new look team has been created to keep them in the league.  I hope they don’t click into life tomorrow!

Kick off at 3:07.  A new ground so see you there!  A list of the new players for your reading pleasure is below…

 

Baff Addae from Thamesmead Town
Alex Addai from Carshalton Athletic
Karl Akehurst from Eastbourne Town
Fope Coker from Tilbury
Wade Eason from Peacehaven & Telscombe
Akwasi Fobi-Edusei from Horsham
Thomas Hughes from Tooting & Mitcham United
Jide Maduako from Cray Wanderers
Romone McCrae from Redhill

Herne Bay 2 - 0 Tanners

Well that was disappointing.  Leatherhead lose to a second half brace allowing Peacehaven to claim the title.  Now all bad news as those below us too struggled.

Leatherhead could have built up a safe lead after a series of missed chances.  Leatherhead were also accused of being a tad too robust as the home side made all three changes to accommodate injuries.

Herne Bay then went on to punish us with a double from Jordan Casey.

A rare week off now until we travel to a new look Crawley Down Gatwick…

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead travel to Kent again to play Herne Bay who will be equally drained after beating Crawley Down Gatwick on Thursday night.
Kick off at 3pm.  Location here (no directions on their site from what I can see).  Good luck fellas.

Whitstable 2 - 3 Tanners

Richard of Arabia masterminded a welcome win in Kent thanks to a last minute Kev Terry tap in.  It look at first like it was going to be a formality with Draycott hitting the inside of the post in the first few minutes and their defence looking all at sea.  So typical of a wounded animal that 20 minutes later they slotted one in from the edge of the box.

Leatherhead responded well with a stooping header from Draycott levelling, but then we seemed to take our foot off the pedal and they forced a number of corners to put together some pressure of their own.

Second half and we began to dominate so no surprise when debutant Richard Avery scored with another header.  2-1 and perhaps we could finally think the three points were ours… but then in a rare foray the home side won a free kick 30 yards out which was expertly bent into the back of the net whilst our wall still seemed to be lining up.

This buoyed Whitstable and moments later they carved us open only for their striker to inexplicably hit the post from 5 yards when faced with an open goal.  Both sides had decent half chances, until in the last minute of injury time Eisa went on a mazy run, the ball found its way to Kev inside the box, he juggled it past the keeper and tapped home to much elation from the visiting few.

Herne Bay awaits…

(based on Dickie’s match report)

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead travel into the dust bowl of Whitstable tonight in a rare Thursday night outing.  They must be playing catch up as they beat Eastbourne 3-2 on Tuesday.  Leatherhead fans may as well find a nice B&B to stay in as they will be returning to that neck of the woods Saturday with a trip to Herne Bay.

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

Tanners 1 - 0 Folkestone Invicta

The game was not pretty but Folkestone were sent home pointless and lucky to have only conceded one.  I did worry about this game given the ambitions of the 4^th placed visitors who were looking over their shoulder at Merstham.  I had nothing to fear as they turned up and were shackled from the start.

While on Wednesday it was almost a free for all the wide players set out with a clear instruction it would seem to “tuck in” and so the visitors resorted to a long ball game.  Food and drink to “Terry Butcher and his mate” who kept any attack at bay for much of the 90 minutes.  I do not want to do Ibrahim a disservice, he may have pulled off a wonderful save but I do not remember a meaningful attack until we got into the 4^th minute of injury time in the second half.

Our goal was a screamer.  A ball into the box was partially cleared which fell to Bradbrook who instinctively decided to hit it first time.  It flew into the near corner leaving the diving ‘keeper no chance.

Half time entertainment ensued with a foul mouthed team talk from the visiting manager.  You could tell by the limp applause that it had missed its target and Folkestone went out and played even worse than they had before.  Leatherhead seemed quite content with this and so the game became rather stale.  Three points were becoming a certainty.

It could have been made safer when in the last 10 minutes Leatherhead then started tearing into Folkestone.  Theo was denied by the ‘keeper who had been lambasted by his manager for slicing a clearance.  Then Ryan Mahal struck the crossbar from 6 yards when faced with an open goal.

These misses looked like they could haunt us only when the ref went on to find 2 to 3 minutes of extra extra time but we held out.  A mid-week trip to Whitstable now awaits…

Folkestone Invicta are coming

Even stranger than Dickie’s prediction was that of Folkestone’s manager in a press article claiming how their playoff hopes were boosted after a 5-0 win at Leatherhead.  They can afford to be confident (although hopefully not that confident) with three players in the top 15 goal scorers with 48 goals between them.

Quite the challenge for us while Guernsey face Walton & Hersham in an evening kick-off.

Kick off at 3pm for us though.  See you there!

Tanners 5 - 0 Eastbourne Town

It was a confident prediction of goals that could have easily have gone sour but on the night it came true thanks to Bradbrook and a Leatherhead team looking for an emphatic win.

It wasn't long before Dickie must have been planning his "told you so" post.  Kev Terry was causing trouble down his left and Bradbrook gratefully took advantage of his work by finding some space and "placing" the ball in the net with his left foot.  The English Bebeto celebrated the birth of his first child...

Soon after there was a touch of deja vu too with the penalty.  With a goal 'keeper off his line and well beaten a goal bound shot was denied by a raised arm.  This time only a yellow was shown with the belief it was more ball to hand.  Smith stepped up and placed the penalty to his right with the 'keeper going the wrong way.

Draycott turned provider of sorts for the third goal.  A powerful shot was parried into the air for Bradbrook to pounce and head into an empty net.  A perfect hat trick was on...

Second half and Leatherhead were at it again after a brief spell of Eastbourne trying to score.  It was a fleeting period of the game and soon shots pounded the visiting 'keeper.  A series of shots eventually fell to the right-back who finished near post and almost seemed embarrassed to celebrate.

Bradbrook must have had the weight of the world on his shoulders.  Could today be his hat trick day?  Yes it could as he found himself in front of goal, firing initially with his right but finishing the rebound with his left.  No perfect hat trick.  What a failure.

So, Leatherhead push on and will need this form with Folkestone Invicta coming to the Grove Saturday...

Eastbourne Town are coming

Leatherhead entertain Eastbourne Town tonight in the league.  A chance to increase the gap to eight points is at stake but caution to thinking the bottom placed side will be a push over.

Firstly we have had a bit of a wobble and we went to their place needing at least two goals to put pressure on the play-off places… while we won it was by a single Sam Blackman goal and so the dream slipped by.

Kick-off at 7.45pm.  The last mid-week £5 game I believe!  See you there.

Sittingbourne 0 - 1 Tanners

With Guernsey losing the 1pm kick-off the opportunity was there to put up a five point cushion.  A trip to a new ground was also in store for the travelling fans.  What could possibly go wrong?

The main problem was the entertainment value.  It was not easy on the eye and the only thing to look forward to was the unusual offering of lasagna and chips at half time.

With double carbs on the menu you could expect a similarly sluggish second half but changes breathed life into the game.  None more so than Mo Eisa whose composed finish turned out to be the goal that separated the sides.

Five point gap retained and basement club Eastbourne Town come to the Grove Wednesday…

Travelling Tanners

Today Leatherhead travel east to try and put a worrying run of results behind us.  Slips happen but this has become more of a slide...

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

Tanners 0 - 1 Hythe

No second half flurry to save Leatherhead last night as we fall 1-0 to our visitors Hythe.  Leatherhead missed some early chances to take the lead which came back to haunt them when Josh Burchell pounced on a loose ball in the box.

Guernsey play Whitstable tonight in an attempt to close the gap to just two points…

 

Hyde are coming

Twice now in recent weeks we have had to rely on a purple patch in the second half to get us the three points, on both occasions the new signing Theo has been at the heart of it.

If the last time we played them is anything to go by we will need such a goal rush tonight as they ground out a 1-0 win at their place.

Kick off at 7.45.  £5 again I believe!  Good luck fellas!

 

Tanners 1 - 3 Faversham

A worrying blip has emerged as for three of the last four games we have found life difficult.  It appears that the loss of Coyle perhaps has unsettled the defensive unit as without his organization skills we have looked vulnerable.

Going forward we looked fine.  Creating chances which were not being taken.  Faversham on the other hand, despite our lack of confidence at the back, found clear chances hard to come by but still managed to score two from the slim pickings they had.

Second half and Leatherhead again pressed forward, albeit from a rather shaky platform after just conceding a third, and got their reward.  Bradbrook got lucky with a ball striking his hand which placed it nicely in his path to score.  Theo was then placed in a more advanced position alongside Bradbrook which unsettled the visitors but no goals came.

Back at home again for the visit of Three Bridges.  We had a slow start against them away but came through impressively.  I hope we can repeat that tomorrow…

 

Faversham are coming

Greetings from Zagreb which, as I expected, is as drab as a 3-2 defeat away to Merstham.  That said the club need to move on from that defeat and focus on the task at hand.  A visit from Faversham.

Faversham are just hovering below the play-off places and a timely run could see them burst into the promised land.  With Hastings losing last night they would see tonight as the perfect opportunity.  Let’s hope we are firing again.

Kick off at 7.45.  £5 again I believe… good luck fellas.

Merstham 3 - 2 Tanners

A very below par day out for Leatherhead today.  For all bar 10 minutes we were disjointed today with few players covering themselves in glory.

Ex-Tanners were always going to be a danger today.  None more so than Tommy Hutchings who has a left foot that, while underperformed this season, can cause problems.  So it turned out as he went on to score a hat trick.

The first came after a difficult period of play to watch.  Leatherhead we not comfortable on the ball and Merstham seemed up for it.  It was a defensive slip that let in Tommy.  Treading on the ball pushed it into his path and he smashed it home.  1-0 at half time.

Second half and Merstham were really all over us.  They hit the post before Tommy got his second chance.  The initial save was then smashed home.  All looked lost as Leatherhead seemed completely flat.  That said Merstham seemed to take their foot of the gas and Leatherhead grew in confidence.

The first goal came from a corner, poked into the goal at the near post by Eisa.  2-1.  Could we dream?  Yes we could.  A long ball was chased by Theo and the 'keeper panicked when trying to gather, spilling it into out striker's path and he walked it into an open net.

While Merstham fell away winning 2-0 they stepped it back up at 2-2 and applied pressure to tap in after a cross was not dealt with.  They gave the goal to Tommy, I am not so sure.

Guernsey and Peacehaven win... Faversham in the week is far from a meaningless fixture...

Travelling Tanners

Off on the road again to play our old friends Merstham and meet up with Hayden Bird.  On getting the directions I noticed their website had a section called Bird Banter… a section that should be moderated after his attack on the league led to a bit of humble pie being eaten…

On the game itself and after scoring four goals I sometimes find a side can go off the boil so I hope that isn’t the case tomorrow.  Things are hotting up and we can’t rely on sea breezes and spring flowers to get us home advantage in the play-offs or (dare I say it) the title…

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

Tanners 4 - 0 Ramsgate

After the disappointment of the weekend it was important to bounce back and keep the pressure on the top spot.  Bounce back we did with an energetic display that was finally rewarded with goals.

It was clear from the outset that Ramsgate were not going to pose the same problems as Guernsey as the Leatherhead started positively.  Their ‘keeper was leading a charmed life was free headers from Coyle and Terry both were straight at the ‘keeper.  Theo too danced through the defense to have a chance to beat the keeper but it was fired low and hard again at the ‘keeper.  The large shot stopper did pull off a fine save from Terry who tried to find the far corner.

 

After this pressure Kev Terry had another chance not without some controversy.  Another fast break down the right saw Kev clear on goal, the assistant raised his flag then put it straight back down.  Kev continued his run and this time found his spot.  Ramsgate were not happy.

 

Second half and the game was played again at high pace.  Ramsgate persevered with a high line which was being beaten with ease.  Bradbrook missing the best of several chances as the ball bobbled up from a cross that left him with a tap in, the shinned ball going just wide.  Bradbrook was then withdrawn, perhaps his rib injury playing up again, and for a while this unsettled us but we soon found our rhythm again.

 

It was Draycott that first sent us on our way to the impressive score line.  Beating the trap just right or goal, wrong footing a defender and then powerfully beating ‘keeper.  Moments later Eisa scored a mirror image of that goal.

 

Then the own goal.  It wasn’t a particularly powerful cross but it came into the box that tempted both the ‘keeper and their captain into dealing with it.  The ‘keeper sliding out to gather and the defender shaped to hoof.  A moment of hesitation from both players caused the ‘keeper to withdraw his hands and the defender to halfheartedly swipe at the ball… the result was the most delicate of chip over the ‘keeper (who could have only been a foot away) and into the net.  A finish Messi would have lorded over for years.

 

Plenty for Guernsey to think about tonight as they travel to Whitstable.  We’re off to Merstham Saturday…

Ramsgate are coming

A massive night of football tonight.  Never mind the England friendly, just look at the fixtures in the Ryman League One South…

Horsham  vs  Tooting & Mitcham United
Leatherhead  vs  Ramsgate
Peacehaven & Telscombe  vs  Folkestone Invicta 

We take on a Kent club that have fallen away of late but still lie in a dangerous 8^th place.  Two of our promotion rivals slug it out near Brighton… meanwhile Tooting travel to Horsham.

Another £5 game I believe tonight!  Kick off at 7.45.  See you there.

 

Guernsey 2 - 0 Tanners

Leatherhead suffered a two goal defeat on their travels as their hitman continues his run while ours was at home.  The weekend got off to a bumpy start as it was.  While I was on a nice early flight as the day went on the winds grew stronger and by the time the players’ delayed plane slammed down the winds had grown to gusts of 40-50 mpg.  I dare say we will have a few Dennis Bergkamps in our ranks if we are to play there again.

With the players tucked up in bed the fans hit the town with varying degrees of composure… sore heads all round for the big match.

With a crowd of over 1,200 you should expect an atmosphere but Guernsey is not like that.  Polite, friendly and welcoming yes.  Boisterous no.  It is the only crowd I have heard “Let’s all have a disco” being sung sitting down.

The game itself did not really live up to the expectations.  In the first half the ball was largely stuck in the middle third with each team cancelling each other out.  When it did break for a rare attack the slim majority of attempts fell to the home side.  Theo, who shone in the week, had some moments that caused the home team concern but not quite the same display as he was made to play a Bradbrook-esque role of chasing and stretching play rather than a ball to his quick feet.

Second half and Guernsey took the lead.  Ross Allen providing the killer blow.  Leatherhead began to stir.  The best chance falling to Kev Terry who rose at the far post but his header could not be directed on target. 

Ross Allen soon added his second.  It appeared like he had scuffed it but when you’re hot you’re hot and the ball found the far post.  Leatherhead now threw everything at them and the home side began to buckle.  Coyle also had a looping header on target but the handsome / cocky ‘keeper tipped it over.  A back header from their defender had to be cleared off the line to prevent an own goal.

Once those scares passed Guernsey started playing for time and finished the game the victors.  We still remain second though and it is important we remain there to prevent another trip to the Island in May…