Herne Bay are coming!

Tonight we welcome Herne Bay to the Grove for the first time I can remember.  The Kent outfit have equipped themselves well in Ryman Division One South and sit in a dangerous 10th position, just one below us.

I say dangerous as tonight we are at home where, compare to playing away, we have struggled.  It baffles everyone why this is so.  So much so that no one can offer a theory on the message board in case it is too radical, like our grass clashes too much with our shirts or something.

Anyway.  Kick off tonight at 7.45.  Good luck fellas.

Walton Casuals 0 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead win this game comfortably with 10 men with goals in either half.  For most of the game Walton Casuals played this at the same pace which perhaps indicate why they are in position they are.  Meanwhile Leatherhead took the game to the hosts but it was perhaps more huff and puff than quality play.

The goal, for instance, came from a mazy run from Elliot who managed to beat three or four players but then seemed to run out of space.  The ball bobbled out and fell to Hutchings who unleashed a speculative strike into the bottom corner.  Hardly played for but quite spectacular.

Tommy though failed to take on board the calming influence of the female referee and after being involved in a heavy tackle lashed out and the red card was quickly shown.  The fact we were down to ten men really didn't show though for much of the game.

That said in the second half it could have gone horribly wrong.  Leatherhead 'keepers would make a fine substitute for an egg timer these days we've had so many and it appeared we had a new one on duty today.  He pulled off some fine saves that could have led to a Leatherhead collapse had they gone in.

The female ref was having a fine performance and had even reduced Dickie to soft enquiries as to the accuracy of her decisions.  However after Leatherhead missed two open goals tension was showing and after two strange decisions she was ******* getting dogs ******* abuse. 

The first was probably down to her assistant.  A three way clash between 'keeper, defender and a Leatherhead striker allowed the ball to bounce unguarded towards the goal.  With only the striker and defender contenders there was more than a hint of a hand to push it away from the reach of our striker which really should have been spotted.

The second was blatant.  A lofty back pass that was caught by the 'keeper which should have given us a indirect freekick in the box but play was waved on.

Just when we thought the goal was never going to come Bradbrook was one on one.  He had skied his first similar chance but this time it was slotted away.

Two nil.  On to Tuesday then.

Travelling Tanners

This game should never be played in December but a nice late summer game, by the river, having some of the best pub grub in the Ryman League.  Alas we have been robbed again.

Off to Walton Casuals then, their website still proudly showing or former manager at the helm.  He's been replaced by Danny Carroll though.

Directions can be found here.  See you there.

ANOTHER Game off!

Greetings from Athens.  Apologies for the late post (although I was tweeting some updates) but tonights game against The E's is off.  Water logged pitch.

See you Saturday?

Game off

Water logged pitch.  Game off.

Folkestone Invicta are coming

Weather may play a factor tomorrow.  Heavy rain is forecast so keep an eye out here for updates but hopefully it will be game on for our old friends Folkestone.

Just a point between us and they have a better goal difference by one.  Oof, it is going to be a close.  The Lip plc can't wait.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Tanners 1 - 2 Horsham

Leatherhead humbled again by a side that couldn't win on the road.  It all started so well though.  Tommy pushing on a Kev Terry through ball that temped in the day-glo Horsham 'keeper.  Early penalty which Tommy blasted away.

The lead didn't last long when Horsham got a penalty just minutes later.  Our new 'keeper dropping a high ball and bringing down a player trying to make amends.  He guessed the right way but in it went.  Towards the end of the half a deflected shot beat our 'keeper again.  2-1.

Second half was drab and but for the efforts of Terry and Elliot we would have been bereft of any creativity.

Folkestone come to the Grove next week...

Horsham Are Coming

Back to The Grove and back to the league tomorrow as we welcome our old friends Horsham again.  They should bring a few, like a poor man's 657 crew they are all getting on the 1305 from Horsham to Leatherhead ready for the game.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there.

Bath City 2 - 0 Tanners

Leatherhead hoped to repeat their high scoring exploits of the weekend but despite showing plenty of spirit and having the better of the opening exchanges they were found wanting at the back.  1-0 at half time.

Leatherhead pushed on trying to get the all important equaliser but with 15 minutes left found themselves 2-0 with too much to do.

That's it then.  A fine run in The Trophy but it will be back to the league Saturday to see if we can push on there.

Travelling Tanners

OK.  It is the big one.  Well big for us as Bath City have just announced reduced admission prices for tomorrow's FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round replay to £10 for adults , concessions £5 and U16s just £1.  Still, good news for us.

To help you get there the club have put on a coach.  You can find out more details on the Official site.  Hopefully all that can make the trip will enjoy another good contest... but with us coming out on top...
Directions can be found here (scroll down the page).  Kick off at 7.45.  Good luck fellas.

Leatherhead 4 - 4 Bath City

Well.  Thanks son.  What a game to miss but there is always the replay.

It was clear the game was going to be a cracker from the 3rd minute when Leatherhead scored but in the first half we were as good at holding on to the lead as they were corners.  Twice they flapped and we capitalised while soon after we let the lead slip.

They ended the half 3-2 up and then the roles reversed.  It was Leatherhead who rebounded twice and the only surprise was that it was Hutchings and not Kev Terry who scored the equalising goal in the last three minutes.

Off to the West Country Tuesday then...

Bath City Are Coming

A big game is in store tomorrow as we host Bath City in the FA Trophy third qualifying round.  Up until recently this is the competition we have enjoyed the best of Leatherhead in and that will need to continue when the Blue Square South side step out tomorrow.

Leatherhead are not without their problems.  We must be on our fourth or fifth 'keeper and Coyle will miss the game while recovering from a dislocated toe he picked up in THAT tackle last weekend.

Good prize money up for grabs and a chance to be in the first round proper... good luck fellas.

Hythe 2 - 3 Tanners

Drama in Kent as Leatherhead battle against the second best team in the league to come out with three points.

It couldn't have started better for Leatherhead.  Kev Terry finding the net early and despite chances falling to both sides the half ended 1-0 for the visitors.

Second half was all action though with Hythe being awarded a penalty just before the hour to make it 1-1.  Up steps the big guns in midfield with Francis restoring our league.

Again we were exposed and Hythe tied the game with just ten minutes to go BUT we have Kev Terry in fine form and he had the last word to finish the game 3-2 in the last few minutes.

On to The Trophy then...

Travelling Tanners

If you use twitter you will sense a real buzz about the club we travel to tonight and who can blame them when they are second in the league.

Tonight looks like it could be the first "double socker" of the season but a new ground for some so should still be a tempting trip.  My son turns 8 today so I have a date with TGI Fridays to sit through.  Lucky me.

Directions can be found here.  Good luck fellas.

Burgess Hill 1-1 Tanners

With Sweet Georgie Brown still whistling in their ears Leatherhead stepped out and were given a quick shock.  A turnover lead to a breakaway move and an unconvincing stop from the goal tender gave the home side the early lead.  "My bad" declared Maan.

It really didn't seem to be going Leatherhead's way when a Burgess Hill player that picked up a yellow card for a bad tackle made a similar challenge but the ref turned the other cheek. The home side sensing the danger then quickly subbed him off. Much berating from the visiting supporters ensued.

This must have stuck in the ref's mind when he awarded a late soft penalty which Greg slotted home.  So.  All tied and the road trip continues as we travel to Hythe on Tuesday.

Travelling Tanners

Back on the road  tomorrow after a success Tuesday night at home.  We face Burgess Hill Town who sit just one point above us BUT we have a game in hand.  We could start climbing up the league a bit if we play like we did in the first half on Tuesday.

Interestingly we have exactly the same goals and conceded in the league...

Directions can be found here.  Good luck fellas.

Tanners 3 - 2 Eastbourne

Off the pitch Leatherhead were back to their best.  Pre-match curry, tick.  Half time raffle, wallop.  On the pitch there were signs we are truly up and running again.

You would certainly say this from the first half display.  Kev Terry forced an off the line clearance from an improbable angle then created a goal from a telling run down the left which he selflessly squared to Elliott who tapped in.

Bradbrook, back in the starting line up, then gave us a master class with a strike that seemed to have power and a touch of lob to it as the 'keeper was beaten from distance.  Minutes later he controlled a ball on his chest in the box and neatly prodded it home to make it three.

This was too easy and when Bradbrook again pulled off a dipping shot that beat the keeper but struck the underside of the bar early in the second half we were hoping for a comfortable second half.

Things started to wobble when the ref gave a freekick of which the validity was questioned mildly by some around me.  Nothing unsure about their finish.  Mo Maan, here on loan, beaten to make it 3-1.  A powerful strike off the underside of the bar made it 3-2.  We couldn't muck this up could we?

No.  We held on but the shout that should have rang out through the league as a battle cry sounded more like a satisfied cheer of a fan that probably had too much curry.

Eastbourne Town are coming!

One of my favourite Saturday away trips this... but it is Eastbourne making the long midweek journey to us tonight for this Ryman league clash.

They sit five points above us but we have two games in hand so a nice evenly balanced game could be in store for us.

Curry at 6.30.  Kick off at 7.45.  See you there.

Spice up your strife!

With back to back wins the bad patch could be well and truly over BUT whatever happens on Tuesday at least you can watch the game with a warm glow of a curry inside you.

A buffet curry will be available from 6.30pm. For only £8 you will be able to help yourself from a range of six separate dishes provided club sponsors Five Rivers Indian Restaurant.

The food will be available on a first come first served basis.

Whitstable 0 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead's bounceback continues with a 1-0 win away at Whitstable in the FA Trophy.

It was a close game but against the run of play the new boots of Sam Blackman came into action to grab us a late goal.

Onto the next round and the prospect of a curry night with new found hope on Tuesday night...