Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead travel to the wonderfully named Kiln Brow tonight, to play Redhill in the Surrey Senior Cup.

Our hosts won't make this Quarter Final easy for us, as form must count for something; they sit on top of the Combined Counties.

Kick off at 7.45. See you there!

Raynes Park Vale 1 - 1 Tanners

game was every bit as hard fought as you would expect it to be and, on balance, a point was probably a fair result.

 

Raynes Park Vale had the better of the first half and it wasn't long before they opened the scoring.  Omarr Lawson saw sight of goal, on the edge of the box, and drove his shot into the bottom corner.

 

We nearly equalised in spectacular fashion when Ruben chased a long bouncing ball under pressure from two defenders.  He improvised a lob from over his shoulder, which beat the 'keeper but struck the top of the bar.

 

We built up a bit of pressure from a string of corners and someone must have said something to Tyler Cox as he took the bait.  It wasn't so long ago we were at this ground to see him rotting on the bench for Ks, before we gave him a chance, but that counted for nothing as he hurled insults back.

 

Then our goal.  It was a bit scrappy, and I thought the chance had gone when Ruben's initial shot was smothered by a defender, but the ball ricocheted around the box until Kane could smash it into the bottom corner.

 

The second half started and at times it was hard to see the goal at the far end through the smoke from the tasty BBQ chicken stall.  Despite our players inhaling the best part of a chicken thigh each, they went on to have the best of this half in terms of pressure.  Our best chance fell to Ruben, who opted to cross rather than take a shot on goal from an angle.

 

The final whistle eventually came and I am not sure how much good a point does either side… but we will have to worry about that next week as we have the Surrey Senior Cup to concentrate on with a trip to Redhill on Tuesday…

Travelling Tanners

The big one. It was already a big game but throw in Hayden's arrival - followed by many ex-Leatherhead players - it got slightly bigger.

The reverse fixture saw an ex-Leatherhead player score against us in a game we were largely bullied. Today, if they score it will be difficult to find a player that didn't used to play for us to do it.

Kick off at 3pm. See you there!

Tanners 1 - 0 Guernsey

A very different game to the one on Saturday, where Guernsey arrived from Gatwick airport and parked their coach on the edge of the penalty box.  Huff, puff and controversy were the order of the day…

 

Leatherhead worked hard for this win.  It was clear that they were not going to have the freedom they had enjoyed at the weekend, but in the first half they tried to get a breakthrough but rarely threatened.  We got a bit lucky too, with corner decisions, as we were awarded one that came off of our player and Guernsey were denied one that seemed to be kicked out from our defender.

 

Any good will towards the officials for their awarding of corners soon evaporated when they gave Pearce a straight red for violent conduct.  A replay does not show any significant contact, but the referee saw an elbow so we were down to ten men.

 

Guernsey now grew in confidence and wanted to return to the island with all three points.  This created a bit more space for our attacking players and we too went on the hunt for a goal.  

The goal came via a penalty, when our player drove into the box and was caught in a clumsy pincer defence where two players attempted to tackle but missed.  Despite the 'keeper guessing the right way, Kane's shot was too powerful, and the ball hit the back of the net with fragments of glove on it.

 

Guernsey upped their push for a goal even more, and when Ruben was retreated to the bench we had no real outlet so the ball kept coming back to us for the last six minutes of stoppage time.  Finally, the referee blew his whistle to signal a fine win and for once results went our way, to leave us just four points behind.  Saturday just got bigger…

Guernsey are coming!

The plane took off, so providing they didn't miss it we are good to go tonight.

An interesting array of games being played tonight, so no doubt people will be looking at their phones… hopefully the team will concentrate on the three points.

Kick off at 7.45. See you there!

Tanners 3 - 0 Ascot

Ascot simply didn't turn up at the races today, as Leatherhead notched up an impressive 3-0 win today to take us to within seven points of the play-off places.

 

Leatherhead opened the scoring quickly and decisively, when Kane brought the ball down in midfield to evade his defender and find Rhys out on the right.  Rhys rode his luck on beating his marker, but expertly bent a shot into the side netting.  1-0.

 

It was soon 2-0, when a corner found Pearce at the back post who headed back into a dangerous area where Akinnibi could smash it into the same corner as we had scored moments earlier.

 

The third goal could have come on four occasions in the remainder of the first half; the closest where a cross became a Ronaldinho lob but hit the bar.  Ascot did finish this half strongly but Sonny was largely untroubled.

 

The second half and it was only six minutes before we did get our third and ultimately made the game safe.  The ball popped up in the box with Ruben in close terms with the 'keeper but his improvised shot sneaked into the goal.

 

At this point Ascot decided it wasn't going to be the day and both sides decided to tread water until the final whistle.  A fine win which takes us into Tuesday when Guernsey hope to make the long awaited trip to The Grove… expect low-flying fog then…

Ascot are coming!

The reverse fixture ended in controversy when a provoked moment of madness cost us all three points, at a time when we were stringing some wins together.

Our guests have gone on to be in a good position in the playoff places while our chances look to have faded. Could a win change that today…?

Kick off at 3pm. See you there!

Farnham 2 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead started this match like 11 rabbits caught in the headlights and meekly allowed Farnham to control the game and race to a 2-0 lead.  The three-goal-lead rule looked likely to be enforced by as early as 25 minutes, and allow me to rejoin my family in town.

 

Somehow, we managed to hold on; but Farnham's towering number five managed to walk off with his pristine white shorts and boots intact as he had no defending to do.

 

The second half we showed up and least held them at bay… well, apart from them hitting the woodwork twice and forcing Sonny into a fine save.  Then, as we approached six minutes of stoppage time we did the unthinkable and scored.  We had started to build a bit of pressure in the final ten minutes but Ruben made it interesting with a low strike on the edge of the box.

 

From nowhere, Leatherhead had created genuine excitement to the game.  The best chance came when we one a freekick, about three yards outside the box.  The powerful shot forced a save from our former 'keeper but no one could follow up.

 

The final whistle blew, and Farnham's No 7 over celebrated towards a large travelling contingent that had barely noticed him all game.  Losing 5-3 on aggregate doesn't seem to be anything I would be too proud of, so only he knows why that was necessary.

 

Onto Tuesday then, and the visit of fourth place Uxbridge…

Travelling Tanners

Game on! Despite overnight rain, an early pitch inspection is passed and we have a game on.

Worryingly, our hosts absolutely destroyed Ks midweek and no doubt the score line from our home tie will be on the dressing room wall.

Kick off at 3pm. See you there!

Tanners 2 - 2 Hendon (3-4 on penalties)

Leatherhead heroically bow out of the League Cup after taking Hendon all the way to penalties but fell short from the spot.

 

Hendon arrived at the Grove with a relatively strong side, albeit with only three players on the bench and their top striker rested.  That didn't stop them scoring first, when their player hit a volley over our 'keeper and into the side netting from a tight angle.

 

Hendon are at the wrong end of the table and so have their own defensive frailties to deal with, which Ty exposed by running onto a through-ball and tucking it between the legs of the young 'keeper.  1-1.

 

Overall, Leatherhead looked the better side and on 65 minutes they got a stunning second goal when Niran Butler let fly from 25 to 30 yards out; an unstoppable shot that arrowed directly into the top right-hand corner.

 

We could dream of a famous win but Hendon started to apply real pressure and pegged us back with a swift move in the box and a cool finish.  Onto penalties…

 

The first two round of penalties were scored, but Marco's effort was saved and Hendon scored to make it 2-3.  2-3 soon became 3-4 and Kane stepped up needing to score.  He opted a confident chip down the middle but completely undercooked it.  The 'keeper, who dived to his left, had time to get up and simply bat it away.  So under hit was the shot, I wonder if the 'keeper was even needed and the ball would have landed in front of the line and span backwards… we will never know.

 

No semi-final for us… but also, no long trip to Chatham… time to focus on Saturday and the much talked about trip to Farnham…

Hendon are coming!

League Cup action tonight and the arrival of old friends, Hendon. Down from their lofty Isthmian Premier League heights… although they are in the relegation zone.

Kick off at 7.45pm. See you there!

Tanners 3 - 0 Harrow Borough

For a game between two similarly placed teams, this was as one sided as it could get.  For the first half we controlled the game without much end result, but it all came together in the second.

 

With Lukas injured, it left Ruben as the main striker with Marco playing alongside him.  Ruben should have put us 1-0 when a cross found him on the edge of the six-yard box but he mistimed his strike while under pressure from a defender.  He later managed to get his head on a difficult cross but could only get the ball to land on the roof of the net.  We also hit the bar from a long range shot.

 

The second half we took our chances… not before Ruben missed a clear chance to open the scoring.  He received the ball about 10 yards out with only the 'keeper between him and the goal.  His touch was perfect to allow him to pick his spot; unfortunately, that spot was just wide of the right-hand post.

 

Then the goals came.  First from our captain, Kane, who received the ball on the edge of the box but surrounded by four players.  A step to the left and a timely drag-back sent all players in the wrong direction, which created enough space for a curling shot up and over the 'keeper.  The full majesty of this goal could not be seen from behind the goal, but the official footage is a joy to behold.

 

The second goal was fortunate as it was clinical.  Anuar Ceesay received the ball about 25 yards out and his attempt to control it saw the ball bound up and strike his arm which, unintentionally, created the perfect touch to now allow him to advance on goal.  With the referee's view obscured and the assistant only prepared to say "yes ref" and not make a decision of his own, Anuar advanced on goal and powered a low shot into the bottom right corner.

 

Then Ruben was set free and got his goal.  I'm hoping he saw the 'keeper stood with his legs slightly apart and his decision to fire it directly at him was a calculated move, but it worked and a satisfying 3-0 scoreline went up.

 

No major scares down the other end.  All in all, a good day.. except for all of the other sides above us winning so we are no better off.  Next up, the League Cup and the visit of Hendon on Tuesday…

Harrow Borough are coming!

A string of crucial league games is upon us, as we take on a number of sides between us and the playoff places, and we start with the visit of Harrow Borough.

Our guests sit two places above us, the points to the good but with an inferior goal difference.

Kick off at 3pm. See you there!

Rayners Lane 3 - 5 Tanners

Leatherhead played out a high-scoring and entertaining game today against a spirited side that played much of the game with ten men.

 

After an agonising car journey, I arrived at the new ground to see that it posed a number of problems.  There was very little in the way of cover and yet again you couldn't get behind one goal but the introduction of "loaded jerk chicken chips" more than made up for this.

 

Rayners Lane could have opened the scoring with a good chance just as I put my order in for the Caribbean-based dish, but the striker mistimed his shot.  Some five minutes later, Lukas was put clear through on goal and he slid the ball past the 'keeper.  I missed this as I anxiously looked inside the tea-bar's hatch, while looking for signs of my food.

 

Then the ref stepped in to change the game.  Rayners Lane were awarded a free kick in their own half, and with Leatherhead pressing it was difficult to find a free man.  Their No 4 stood over the ball, hesitated a bit, faked a pass and then attempt to play the ball just as the referee blew his whistle and issued a card for time wasting.  Moments later, our defender was fouled while clearing a ball.  The referee blew his whistle just as the long ball fell to their No 4 and he instinctively cleared the ball, although slicing it into touch.  The referee thought this was petulant and issued a second yellow and then a red.  The harshest application I have seen of these laws not once but twice in just a few minutes.

 

With only ten men, Rayners Lane were ripe for the picking, right?  On the stroke of halftime, a ball found a player unmarked at the back post and he fired it into the goal from close range.  1-1.

 

In the second half, Leatherhead looked in rampant mood.  On just 51 minutes Anuar Ceesay, who had been outstanding in the first half, was slotted though and made it 2-1.  Just six minutes later, Rhys beat the offside trap (just) and made it 3-1.  Then on 65 minutes, Ruben was brought down in the box for Fitzgerald to fire home the penalty.  4-1.

 

At this point I turned to the people near me and confidently said "there is no way we can muck this up from here".  Just then the sky was filled with a flurry of colour as a pandemonium of parrakeets filled the skies and a chaos of Leatherhead played out in the pitch.  Twice the 10 men of Rayners Lane scored in the last few minutes from close range Luckily, Ty Butler added a fifth goal to our tally, making my earlier confidence feel slightly more justified.

 

An eventful day, but now we get ready to host Harrow (pitch permitting) on Tuesday…

Rayners Lane 2 - 5 Tanners

Leatherhead played out a high-scoring and entertaining game today against a spirited side that played much of the game with ten men.

 

After an agonising car journey, I arrived at the new ground to see that it posed a number of problems.  There was very little in the way of cover and yet again you couldn't get behind one goal but the introduction of "loaded jerk chicken chips" more than made up for this.

 

Rayners Lane could have opened the scoring with a good chance just as I put my order in for the Caribbean-based dish, but the striker mistimed his shot.  Some five minutes later, Lukas was put clear through on goal and he slid the ball past the 'keeper.  I missed this as I anxiously looked inside the tea-bar's hatch, while looking for signs of my food.

 

Then the ref stepped in to change the game.  Rayners Lane were awarded a free kick in their own half, and with Leatherhead pressing it was difficult to find a free man.  Their No 4 stood over the ball, hesitated a bit, faked a pass and then attempt to play the ball just as the referee blew his whistle and issued a card for time wasting.  Moments later, our defender was fouled while clearing a ball.  The referee blew his whistle just as the long ball fell to their No 4 and he instinctively cleared the ball, although slicing it into touch.  The referee thought this was petulant and issued a second yellow and then a red.  The harshest application I have seen of these laws not once but twice in just a few minutes.

 

With only ten men, Rayners Lane were ripe for the picking, right?  On the stroke of halftime, a ball found a player unmarked at the back post and he fired it into the goal from close range.  1-1.

 

In the second half, Leatherhead looked in rampant mood.  On just 51 minutes Anuar Ceesay, who had been outstanding in the first half, was slotted though and made it 2-1.  Just six minutes later, Rhys beat the offside trap (just) and made it 3-1.  Then on 65 minutes, Ruben was brought down in the box for Fitzgerald to fire home the penalty.  4-1.

 

At this point I turned to the people near me and confidently said "there is no way we can muck this up from here".  Just then the sky was filled with a flurry of colour as a pandemonium of parrakeets filled the skies and a chaos of Leatherhead played out in the pitch.  Twice the 10 men of Rayners Lane scored in the last few minutes from close range Luckily, Ty Butler added a fifth goal to our tally, making my earlier confidence feel slightly more justified.

 

An eventful day, but now we get ready to host Harrow (pitch permitting) on Tuesday…

Travelling Tanners

For the second weekend running the NEW GROUND KLAXON sounds as we travel to Rayners Lane.

The last two results have been difficult to watch and take; while we also lose Tyler to RVP. Let's hope the new signing slots in well.

Kick off at 3pm. See you there!

Tanners 1 - 2 Westfield

The Westfield curse hits again, as we lose and cement ourselves in a midtable position.

 

This was not a pretty game to watch.  Westfield came with a well-executed game plan and managed to slow the game down when needed; twice a substitution was called without the player coming on being ready.

 

The first half started off slow but for the last ten minutes we were very much on top.  If Leatherhead's strikers rocked up at a coconut shy, they would clear up as three good chances were shot straight at the 'keeper.  Then we got our goal.  For the second game, Ruben turned provider by chasing a ball and feeding in Lukas who found the back of the net.  For the second time, Ruben was withdrawn in the second half to "boost midfield" only for us to concede.

 

A stale second half (we googled a list of UK cities to see which ones we had visited during the "action") came to life in the last ten minutes when Westfield got their equaliser and then smelled blood.  The first goal was a close range shot from a low cross and the second a powerful strike from a breakaway move down their left.

 

A disappointing loss could have become a disappointing draw when we thought we had a good shout for a penalty.  Marco controlled a lofted ball into the area and was clear on goal with only the 'keeper to beat.  The defender, closely behind, fell and took Marco down without playing the ball but the referee waved it away.  Referees don't give those in the opening or closing two minutes being the unwritten law of the game.

 

So onto Saturday when the NEW GROUND KLAXON sounds again for the trip to Rayners Lane…

Tanners 1 - 2 Westfield

The Westfield curse hits again, as we lose and cement ourselves in a midtable position.

 

This was not a pretty game to watch.  Westfield came with a well-executed game plan and managed to slow the game down when needed; twice a substitution was called without the player coming on being ready.

 

The first half started off slow but for the last ten minutes we were very much on top.  If Leatherhead's strikers rocked up at a coconut shy, they would clear up as three good chances were shot straight at the 'keeper.  Then we got our goal.  For the second game, Ruben turned provider by chasing a ball and feeding in Lukas who found the back of the net.  For the second time, Ruben was withdrawn in the second half to "boost midfield" only for us to concede.

 

A stale second half (we googled a list of UK cities to see which ones we had visited during the "action") came to life in the last ten minutes when Westfield got their equaliser and then smelled blood.  The first goal was a close range shot from a low cross and the second a powerful strike from a breakaway move down their left.

 

A disappointing loss could have become a disappointing draw when we thought we had a good shout for a penalty.  Marco controlled a lofted ball into the area and was clear on goal with only the 'keeper to beat.  The defender, closely behind, fell and took Marco down without playing the ball but the referee waved it away.  Referees don't give those in the opening or closing two minutes being the unwritten law of the game.

 

So onto Saturday when the NEW GROUND KLAXON sounds again for the trip to Rayners Lane…

Westfield are coming!

Tonight sees the visit of Westfield to the Grove, for this league fixture.

Our guests sit just one place below us, but a win for them won't them above us… but we could go up one place with a win…

Kick off at 7.45. See you there!

Horndean 1 - 1 Tanners

Leatherhead struggled with the conditions and went away with a disappointing - given the league positions – draw yesterday.

 

On arrival to the new ground, we quickly saw that this was going to be hard work.  You couldn't stand behind one goal, the pitch looked heavy and on a slope that Eddie The Eagle Edwards would have had second thoughts to take on.

 

Predictably, the first half produced little from either side.  In the second half, we kicked down hill and started to look a little livelier.  Especially when Lukas came on.

 

Ruben had put himself about a bit and it was from him we got our opening goal.  He chased down a ball on our left and slid it across to Lukas to tap in.  1-0.

 

At this point, Horndean donned their crampons and started to climb the north face of the pitch and started to mount some pressure.  The warning signs were there when they scored a perfrectly good goal, but it was ruled out for offside.  Not long after, Sonny failed to keep hold of a long shot and the ball spilled out to set up a tap in.

 

We did rally, but ultimately a draw was a fair result.  Onto Tuesday then and the visit of Westfield.