Travelling Tanners

A big game for Leatherhead today, as we travel to Raynes Park Vale to face a side that is, no doubt, looking for revenge.  

While we have had our pants pulled down by the likes of Marlow and Chertsey, the pullee became the puller when we met at The Grove a few weeks ago.

Leatherhead have added a formidable striker, by the way of the returning Ibz, to help boost our chances for the run in of the season.

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

Tanners 0 - 2 Marlow

If Chertsey signalled their claim on the league title in the recent win, then Marlow did the same with the route to promotion via the playoffs.  6-0 they win on aggregate and we really haven't laid a glove on them.

Leatherhead set out in their familiar style of play.  Marlow were quite happy and could have watched us pass it from side to side all day.  Then the goal.

A ball was poked through the middle for Dave Tarpey to run onto and a clinical finish found the bottom corner on just 11 minutes.

Away in October we were 3-0 after 20 or so minutes, so it was encouraging to keep it to 1-0 until the end of the first half. But in added time the ref saw a mere coming together of something more and awarded a penalty.  Rogalski added to his impressive tally and made it 2-0.

I thought we had scored early in the second half, but it went just wide of the post.  Perhaps we could have add a goal towards the end, but Marlow by now were happy to see the game out.

No game on Tuesday but on Saturday we travel to Raynes Park Vale...

Marlow are coming!

Marlow arrive tomorrow and with them they bring Dave Tarpey.  I can't think of a player that has so many contrasting opinions... should we have resigned him, let him go or even signed him at all?  The fact I called my Leatherhead FC Quiz Team, Tarpey's Tiki-Taka Trivia should tell you something and that he will deserve our respect tomorrow (particularly from our defenders) as he is banging them in.

As if having the league's second highest scorer wasn't enough, Marlow also have the top scorer, Dawid Rogalski, with 28 goals to his name.

Tuesday's win may not have been overly convincing but the three points and a clean sheet were very much needed.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Tanners 1 - 0 SCR

There was plenty of drama before the game.  First there was an ever-increasingly desperate Rod to get a team sheet as they seemed to evaporate before his eyes as they were circulated.  

On getting one he casually asked about a player's availability which caused enough concern to see a change of pace from John Loveridge, to establish if there was a mistake, that hasn't been seen since someone told me the TSC were serving free food by the club shop.   It was confirmed all was well.

Then there were reports of a squirrel falling from the stand roof onto a supporter.  With so much drama off the pitch it would have been selfish to believe there would be some off of it as it was Leatherhead that was squirrelling around for a goal.

A very different Leatherhead today.   More direct; more attacking even, but somehow that did not translate to a good game to watch, despite their efforts.

The goal came in the second half (which was better than the first, admittedly) when a cross was met by Trevan but his looping header found the crossbar.  The rebound fell to Lawson who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.  For a heart stopping second, it looked like it was going to fly over but relief when the net bulged.

Raynes Park Vale got a last minute winner, so these three points were very welcome.  Especially with the visit of Marlow on Saturday and the return of in-form Tarpey...

Sutton Common Rovers are coming!

Flippin 'eck!  If the rain stays away, we have a home game tonight with the visit of Sutton Common Rovers.

Our guests sit in 14th place but are unbeaten in three games, including a very credible (and welcome) draw against Westfield.

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

Tanners 0 - 4 South Park

Something told me South Park would kick us out of the cup. I didn't think it would be to the tune of 4-0, the score line we enjoyed at the weekend, but we have slipped on this banana skin before.

Of course, conceding two penalties in two minutes didn't help.  Twice a South Park player was brought down by our 'keeper (with some assistance from a defender for the first) and twice the penalty was calmly put away.

Half time came and the home fans hoped for a response but a determined South Park side kept us at bay and added to our woes by making it 3-0 on 52 minutes.  A South Park player was able to dance through our defenders and fire a shot into the back of the net.

If two penalties in two minutes was bad, Dan Hector decided to up the ante and get two yellows in one.  Back chat and a bad tackle in quick succession saw him take an early shower.

South Park made it 4-0 on 76 minutes to finish off a sodden night.  Out the cup and onto Badshot Lea on Saturday where the NEW GROUND KLAXON sounds to drown out last night's disappointment.

Tanners 4 - 0 Uxbridge

Given Football Web Pages had the scoreline at 3-1 after just three minutes, I cannot work out whether ending up at 4-0 is disappointing or not.  

The error showed us scoring three goals in the second minute, which didn't feel as far-fetched as it sounds as we raced to a 3-0 lead.

The opening goal came after just 90 seconds.  Uxbridge played an ambitious high line, and Trevan took full advantage of this by running onto a long ball and cooly lobbing the standard 'keeper.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0.  Alechi burst down the left side of the goal and was one on one with the 'keeper.  Much like a golfer approaching the green, he deftly swung his left sand wedge through the ball, over the 'keeper and into the back of the hole... I mean goal.

We then missed a couple of good chances.  Trevan just wide and then Tyler Cox blasted high when he had an open goal.

Tyler got his goal on 28 minutes when he received the ball in the box.  His first touch looked too heavy but the 'keeper was slow to react and Tyler prodded the ball under him.  3-0.

The second half and Leatherhead were happy to casually sniff out chances while Uxbridge looked like they would rather be anywhere else but The Grove.  Tyler got his brace when he received the ball on the edge of the area with his back to goal.  Then on the turn sent a lofted-curling shot into the top right.  4-0.

An impressive score line, showing our players knew both where the goal was and, judging by some of the social media posts, where the cameraman was for their celebration.

Onto Tuesday, and the slippiest of banaskins, when South Park come for the Surrey Senior Cup...

Uxbridge are coming

Midtable Uxbridge come to The Grove today, as we try and shrug off the disappointment of conceding a last minute goal to Chertsey.  

Our guests will have their own demons to deal with when it comes to Chertsey, as they recently lost to them 6-0.

Kick off at 3pm.  See you there!

Chertsey Town 2 - 1 Tanners

The Tanners lose, to a last minute goal, despite putting in a second half performance that deserved more.

The first half was very much a carbon copy of the home game with Chertsey controlling the game.  Their No 5, Reuben Collins, for one did not let a lot get past him.  In fact we were pretty much boxed in, at times.

On 28 minutes the warning signs were there as we failed to deal with a corner but it whistled past the far post.  Three minutes later, we weren't so lucky and Luke Robertson was there to fire the ball home.

Into the second half and we grew in confidence and attacked more, but appeared to lack the cutting edge.  Here my contribution to the game cannot be underestimated.  Not only did I declare we didn't look like scoring but also questioned why we continued to prod the ball around on the right wing as we weren't getting any joy there.  30 seconds later the ball was prodded into Dan Hector from the right wing and he fired a low shot into the far corner.  You are welcome.

Now it was pretty much all Leatherhead as we pressed for a deserved winner.  Then on 90 minutes the hosts won a free kick out to their right and I feared the worst.  Their dominance from free kicks again proved too much as Robertson headed powerfully into the side netting via the hand of our diving 'keeper.

We won our own dangerous freekick in the dying seconds but our header went just over as the referee pressed the whistle to his lips.

Time to dust ourselves off for the visit of Uxbridge on Saturday...

Travelling Tanners

In the reverse fixture, we witnessed a Chertsey Town side that purred like a Royal Royce engine; smoothly going through the motions to calmly keep us at bay and take all three points home.  They probably looked the best side we have played this season.

This is also reflected in their league position.  Sitting at the top of the table for a number of weeks, despite having a one point deduction.  As a result, they expect a big crowd (661 to see Ashford on Saturday!) and recommend you buy a ticket in advance here.

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

Thatcham 0 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead took all three points home after an entertaining game on the road on Saturday.

We started in an attacking mood and started, through Trevan in particular, apply the pressure to our hosts.  The missing of early chances must have worried the travelling supporters.

Then our opener.  Tyler Cox continues his run of form by making space on the edge of the box and fired the ball into the bottom corner.

1-0 is a fragile score for any team but after the midweek result we needed another.  That came from Trevan, who was picked out by Splatt and he made no mistake.

We stay in third, despite Southall having a shock defeat to Binfield and on we go to Tuesday when we face Cherstey...

Travelling Tanners

My memories of this game last year was visiting a town centre that had pubs that did nice food and ones that showed live football, but not both.  So a Boot Meal Deal and a Southampton defeat later, we went on to watch our first league win of the season.

Thatcham have scored 10 goals in their last three games and sit in tenth place.  We slipped down to third after Marlow snatched a last minute win in the week, and need a win to keep pressure on the top.

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

Hartley Wintney 1 - 1 Tanners

Frustration for Leatherhead as they probably deserved the win, based on first half chances alone, but came away with a draw.

With the wind swirling around, it was difficult to tell who was benefiting from the conditions but it certainly appeared like Leatherhead had come to terms with them first.

This was demonstrated when Trevan slipped in (I believe) Alpha who fired in a shot into the far top corner only for the assistant to raise their flag.  A penny for Joey Barton's thoughts...

Leatherhead continued to pressure and the Hartley Wintney 'keeper began to crack.  After one near miss he came out to gather a lofted ball only to get slightly blocked by his defenders.  His attempt to punch the ball only served to lay the goal on a plate for Luther Williams, who only had to tap into an open goal.

More chances came but were not taken.  The highlight being Trevan beating the 'keeper to a ball on the edge of the box but his chip went just wide.

1-0 at halftime after missing chances ... what could possibly go wrong?

The hosts came out more composed and it was their turn to probe for the equaliser.  While they created the clearer chances, it was a touch of fortune that allowed them to score.  A deflection deceived both our defence and 'keeper and the ball went in after kissing the far post.

We finished the game strongly, but lacked the last clinical pass or shot to get a much needed last-minute winner; the kind of which was enjoyed by Marlow.

Onto Thatcham then at the weekend then...

Travelling Tanners

On Saturday we lost a game, due to a frozen pitch.  Today we look to the heavens as we could be battered by our second storm in three days; Storm Jocelyn joins the party following Isha.

So if the game goes ahead, expect strong winds and the prospect of a goalkeeper scoring a comedy own goal from his goal kick.

Our hosts sit just outside the play-off places and a win would take them above Raynes Park Vale.  A win for us wouldn't see us move into second but will keep us from falling behind a Marlow side that is breathing down our neck.

Kick off at 7.30pm.  Directions can be found here. See you there!

Northwood 1 - 2 Tanners

After a superb midweek win, Tanners knew that anything other than a win at Northwood would be a grave mistake. Meanwhile the faint spectre of relegation loomed over the hosts.

On soft ground (heavy in places) Leatherhead started brightly hoping to dig out an early goal and bury The Woods. After some sustained pressure, Trevan was put through on 20 minutes and coolly side footed the ball into the net leaving the 'keeper in his wake. Northwood created very little in the first half and certainly not enough to stop all the clocks or prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone.

Half time and the clubhouse warmly welcomed many of the congregation who had gathered there today. The unusual red neon light decor was more reminiscent of a gentleman's club in Prague. 

David Simmons MP has a comfortable majority and would have been hoping for better news from the returning officer as his side took to the field for the second term. A fantastic long range effort from Alpha put Tanners 2-0 up on 54 minutes and even Hayden was dragged into some Klopp style hugging on the halfway line.

Leatherhead tried to see out the dying embers of the game but tired a little and Northwood were able to grab a late consolation goal. The players will enjoy a well earned midweek rest after a good week.

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead travel into London today to play Northwood in the league.  Our 17th place hosts had a win of their own, midweek, so both teams are looking to go on a run of form.

A tweet said cash was "preferred" over card, but last time I went cards were not accepted so go prepared.

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

Tanners 4 - 1 RVP

Remembering how our guests have over celebrated following friendly and Surrey Senior Cup matches, I was rather dreading this cold fixture but the smug boot was on the other foot last night.

Leatherhead asserted themselves in the opening minute.  Tyler Cox running onto a ball over the top and finishing into the bottom corner.

RVP equalised when the ref allowed the freelick to be taken in an advanced position.  The whipped in ball was missed by a defender and headed in at the far post.

Fabio made it 2-1 in the last few minutes of the first half (when I had retreated to the bar to warm up), with a long range effort that gave the 'keeper no chance.

The second half and Leatherhead maintained the levels we have seen in, say, the first 15 minutes at Westfield and continuously pestered their defence and 'keeper.  Suddenly the once-table-topping RVP started to look older and less fit than they did at 7.45.

The third goal could be described as a tap in but that would do the work of Alpha Diallo a disservice, who ran to a long raking pass and volleyed the lost cause across the face of goal towards Stagg who made no mistake.  4-1.

A fine win that needs to be backed up at Northwood on Saturday...

Raynes Park Vale are coming!

In a hundred years or so, we will look back and wonder how the tradition of inviting Raynes Park Vale to play once a month started... but for now all we can do is rejoice (with two pairs of socks) that it is finally on.

Despite there being some water on the pitch yesterday and freezing temperatures last night, the game gets the green light and we can play.

Back in October - October! - the gap before we were due to play them looked rather foreboding as they sat 7 points above us.  Now it is just one, albeit with RPV having a game in hand.

Kick off at 7.45.  See you there!

Westfield 3 - 0 Tanners

Leatherhead's run of clean sheets came crashing to an end on a miserable night in Woking.

For the first ten minutes, Leatherhead played some of the most attacking football I have seen over the festive period.  A low cross was met by Tyler, but the speed and a bobble meant it was sliced wide.  Moments later a similar cross could have been tapped in by two players but neither could quite reach it.

Then the game turned.  It seemed to start when Trevan lunged for a ball that the 'keeper came out for.  It looked a little desperate but he won the ball and it went out for a likely corner.  The 'keeper's yelp convinced the ref otherwise and Trevan received a yellow card (and was lucky to stay on the pitch following two incidents).  The 'keeper managed to reattach his foot to take the freekick though...

The opening goal was the hosts first attack.  A long diagonal ball could have been intercepted by a defender, but in deciding whether to control it or clear he did neither and it ran onto a player who slotted the ball into the far corner.

A few minutes later it was 2-0.  This time a free header did the damage.  The rain by now was coming down sufficiently to make the evening feel like a complete disaster.

Leatherhead came out in the second half looking for way back into the game but Westfield were more than happy to sit deep.  15 minutes of huffing and puffing later, Westfield grabbed a third and I headed home to hit the spiced rum I bought myself for Christmas.

Leatherhead now sit six points off of the top and look to bounce back on Saturday with a visit of Sutton Common Rovers.

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead travel to Woking today, for this New Year's Day fixture.  On seeing our game was moved to accommodate the Woking vs Aldershot game, I jumped on the chance to buy tickets to set up a double header.

Westfield are knocking on the door of the play-off places.  Only goal difference currently keeping them out.

Kick off at 5.30.  Directions can be found here.  Good luck finding space at 5pm!  See you there!