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Mick reflects + other news
I spoke with manager Mick Sullivan about Saturday's 7-1 demolition of Whitstable:
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I was very pleased with the performance on Saturday even though it was a bit frantic to begin with as Whitstable gave as good as they got. I think we deserved a little bit of luck and then we made our own to score the seven goals. I was dissapointed we conceded a goal as the defence deserved a clean sheet - having said that the ref had a major part to play but to be fair to him he had a decent game otherwise.
We mustn't get complacent now as a manager I've seen too many poor performances after the 'Lord Mayor's show'. I totally believe this squad wants to make amends after such an inconsistent start this season and they want to prove to the supporters they have desire and skill.
I hope we can carry this on to propel us up to the fifth play-off spot. As for the cup, again a little bit of luck and a home draw and who knows? Last but not least, I must pay tribute to the squad players who come in and do their business for the first team from the Reserve team set up."
Ryman League Cup quarter-final draw update - apparently a second team have played an ineligible player so the draw has been delayed until later this week - probably Wednesday.
Pitch update for tomorrow night's game against Cornthian-Casuals - pitch still pretty wet, no decision on whether a pitch inspection will be needed, Gerald will take a look first early tomorrow morning. Watch this space (although I won't be able to update till about 6pm).
U-18s Youth team lost 2-4 against KIngstonian yesterday, read the report here.
A sign of the times...
A very interesting notice was posted on the Ryman League website last night about the leaders of our division Folkestone. It will impact all the teams in the division especially those chasing promotion and a play-off place. Read it here.
Sunday 7th February 09.30
Oystermen prised apart
Leatherhead 7 - 1 Whitstable Town
It was one of those afternoons, the match report (which is here) will give the glorious details, but in the first half in particular, the Tanners played with a fluency and above all tempo that at times was a joy to watch. 4-0 at half time was game over, the second forty-five was a stroll, but man of the match must go to Matt Francis who bagged four. How Tommy failed to score is a mystery but his work rate was phenomenal. As was Elliott Thompson's, who put in another tireless performance. Marc Elston was a constant threat, Simmo ruled the roost in the pudding, sorry, middle of the park. The Oystermen were very poor, but you've still got to do the business, which is exactly what the Tanners did today - with added relish.
The game on Tuesday evening against Corinthian-Casuals must be a bit of a doubt, watch this space for news.
Saturday 6th February 17.30
Game ON!!
The Fetcham Grove pitch has passed this morning's inspection, so today's match against Whitstable Town goes ahead. I don't think it's going to be possible to play the 'beautiful game' today, but as long as it's three points, who cares? See you there!
By the way, the draw for the quarter-finals of the Isthmian League Cup has been delayed as one of the teams (not us!) that has got through has been found to have played an ineligible player. So we'll have to wait a bit longer to see who we will be playing while they sort that out.
Saturday 6th February 11.30
Tomorrow's game 50/50
Leatherhead v Whitstable Town
- Ryman League Division One South - 3pm
Hopefully we will entertain the Oystermen at the Grove tomorrow afternoon, but at the moment the pitch is very wet, so there will be a pitch inspection at 11.15 Saturday morning to determine whether the game goes ahead. Let's hope so, and if it does let's hope the Tanners continue their run of good form. Watch this space.
Friday 5th February 20.30
Mick reflects + other news
I caught up with Mick Sullivan today and spoke to him about last night's fantastic Isthmian League cup win away at Godalming, here's what he had to say:
"It was a very disjointed first half performance but I suppose that's to be expected when missing two of the three central midfielders who can put their foot on the ball and control the game. But the squad tonight showed real character and rolled up their sleeves in the second half, and put in a disciplined, dogged type of performance and ground out a result - which is what was needed against a strong physical team like Godalming.
It was nice to see that we can mix it with these types of teams as it's not always possible to play the 'beautiful game' on a muddy pitch. I'm sure we are going to need a few more of these types of performances to get some more points on the board.
I'm very proud of the squad tonight as they could've folded under the pressure of the first half but there's a belief in the camp at the moment we can achieve something this season with a little bit of luck."
In terms of who we might possibly meet in the quarter-finals of the Isthmian League Cup, here's who's left:
Aveley
Lowestoft or Maidstone or Tilbury
Concord or Billericay
Canvey Island
Fleet or Horsham YMCA
Walton & Hersham or Croydon Athletic
Tonbridge or Wealdstone
We will play one of the southern teams in the quarter finals then go north or south in the semis. Not sure when the draw will take place.
Updated fixtures for the reserves and u-18s (see fixtures tabs)
Wednesday 3rd Feb 18.15
Town tamed
Godalming Town 0 -1 Leatherhead
After a tricky first half, where the Tanners did well to go into the break with the score 0-0, the second half saw a reinvigorated Tanners who looked much more up for the fight. With Henders on for the injured Dan Dean, and Hassan replaced by big Michael Corbett, we looked a much more potent force, and could have scored about five, Tommy had a couple of glorious chances that went just wide, as did Beero. As it was, Marc Elston's glorious shot from a Tommy cross was enough to settle it. We might have rode our luck at times, but this was the Tanners at their battling best, and we can take a lot of confidence from beating the high-flying Town on their own (bumpy) turf. The draw for the quarter-finals has yet to take place - as soon as we know who we will face I'll post it on here! Report here.
Tuesday 2nd February 22.00
Tonight's Reserve game off
The Fetcham Grove pitch is too soggy so tonight's reserve team encounter against Whyteleafe has been postponed.
And just to note that tonight's first team game at Godalming kicks-off at 7.30pm (not the usual 7.45pm)
Tuesday 2nd February 17.00
Heading south
Godalming Town v Leatherhead - Isthmian League Cup 4th Round - tonight 7.30pm
Yes, the Tanners head for a tasty tie against Chuck's high-flying Godalming team. Not usually a place where we have much joy to be honest, but it's a cup game so who knows. If we play to our true potential (as we have recently) then it could be interesting. Extra time...penalties...
Tuesday 2nd February 07.00
Dates for your diary
Ryman League match away at Ramsgate is now on Tuesday 30th March. Also, we travel to play Cove (Combined Counties Premier side) in the Southern Combination Cup 2nd Round on Thursday 4th March.
Monday 1st February 20.00
Rams raid
Croydon Athletic 3 - 2 Leatherhead
By all accounts we were unlucky not to come away with at least a point. But the high-flying big-spending Rams bagged all the points and we are left nursing thoughts of "what might have been". Nonetheless it was an encouraging performance by the Tanners against a team who will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. Report here.
Sunday 31st January 13.00