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Leatherhead 3 - 1 Tooting & Mitcham United
(Morgan, Gunner, O’Shea) (P. Vines)
Leatherhead gave a very positive performance on Tuesday night in the first of a pair of friendlies this week at Fetcham Grove against Ryman Premier opponents. The Tanners comfortably outplayed an ineffective Tooting & Mitcham side, but manager Mick Sullivan will have concerns over injuries sustained by two of his new signings, Michael Morgan and Craig Bradshaw, as well as to last season’s top scorer, Tommy Hutchings. All three limped off during the course of the game and must be doubtful for Saturday’s friendly against Kingstonian.
The Terrors failed to live up to their nickname, as they proved to be toothless in attack and inept in defence. On this showing they’ll need to make significant improvements if they are to keep their status in the Ryman Premier division this season. By contrast, the Tanners looked sharp going forward and solid in defence. If they can maintain this level of performance consistently, they will mount a serious challenge in Division One this season.
Leatherhead made a positive start by testing Dave King in the visitors’ goal with a couple of early shots. The Tanners took the lead after 15 minutes, when Michael Morgan latched on to a quickly taken free kick and stroked the ball into the goal from the edge of the box. Worryingly, the former Merstham player turned an ankle while scoring and he was unable to take any further part in the match. Substitute Ross White capably fitted in to the Tanners midfield as Morgan’s replacement.
Worse was to follow on the Tanners’ injury front, as Tommy Hutchings hobbled off after half an hour with a leg injury and was replaced by Dean Gunner, another of Sullivan’s recruits from his old Merstham side. Yet even with the loss of these two creative play makers, Leatherhead kept pushing forward and their determined, attacking performance led to a second goal after 40 minutes. The Tooting defence failed to clear the ball out of their half and a simple cross from the by-line found Gunner in space to tap in from six yards.
The Tanners quickly added a third goal after 43 minutes, when the ineffective Tooting defence again failed to clear the ball, leaving Dominic O’Shea to stroke the ball into an empty net.
Leatherhead were unable to add to their lead in the second half, but still looked in control for long periods of the game. Tooting almost got one back with a forceful header which crashed against the bar before going over for a goal kick.
Goalkeeper Craig Bradshaw is proving to be a more than capable replacement for last season’s custodian, Chris Lewington, who has signed a contract with League Two side, Dagenham & Redbridge. Bradshaw’s commanding presence in the Leatherhead goal was given a severe jolt midway through the second half, when Tooting’s Sam Clayton collided with the former Walton Casuals keeper. Bradshaw bravely hobbled on for a few more minutes, but had to be replaced with ten minutes remaining on the clock.
Tooting’s consolation goal came from a corner after 82 minutes, as Paul Vines rose in the Leatherhead box to head past substitute keeper Chris Roberts.
Overall this was a very positive Leatherhead performance from a mix of old and new players who are quickly coming together under the guidance of Mick Sullivan and his management team. Morgan, Hutchings and Bradshaw will have to rest for a few days before a decision can be made on their being tested on Saturday against another Ryman Premier side. But if Leatherhead continue to build on their pre-season momentum against Kingstonian they will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the coming Ryman League campaign.
Team: Craig Bradshaw (Chris Roberts), James Hancock, Luke Adams, Dan Dean, Iain Hendry, Dominic O’Shea, Michael Morgan (Ross White), Tony Cuff, Kwabena Agyei, Tommy Huchings (Dean Gunner), Kev Terry