VLeatherhead 3 Basingstoke Town 1
The management team made 5 changes to the line up hammered seven nil at the weekend.
This team, intentionally selected as such consisted of last years players (i.e. the ones whose Championship win qualified the club for this play off competition).
The air was very cold and still. The pitch hardening by the minute as the two teams came out at 7:45 to do battle. Basingstoke’s aim was to hold on to their slender 3-2 advantage, Leatherhead’s was to put the record straight.
It was clear from the opening minutes that the home side were ‘up for it’ as they threatened the goal from the kick off. Their early pressure was rewarded when the ball arrived at Marc Elston on the edge of the box who volleyed in a left footed rocket.
It didn’t go all Leatherhead’s way though. In the 5th minute Basingstoke were clean through however fine defensive work from Tommy Williams put paid to any hopes of an early reply from the visitors.
Even before the first ten minutes were over, Leatherhead had doubled their lead. A through ball from Elston found Greg Andrews in space. The resulting cross was met by Steve Barelli whose header found its way into the net.
Confidence was now flowing through the team. Leatherhead totally dominated the first half with a combination of hard work, good movement and slick passing.
On the left Robbie Stevens was constantly threatening. After 23 minutes he found himself two yards from goal but managed somehow to miss the target. His blushes were saved somewhat by the linesman’s flag.
Two minutes later Barelli hit the bar as Leatherhead continued to press forward.
Basingstoke were not just here to make up the numbers as they proved shortly afterwards. One of their rare attacking moves resulted in a goal line clearance by Tommy Williams.
The 27th minute of the game produced the best attacking move of the game. A long forward pass was delicately headed into the path of Elston who, having kept his composure narrowly missed the target with a delicate chip over the goalkeeper.
The referee provided Leatherhead with a slice of luck in the 38th minute when he elected to only lecture Sacha for a late lunge instead of giving him his second yellow card.
It was probably due to this that minutes after his lecture, Sacha failed to make a challenge in the box allowing Basingstoke to score their only goal of the night.
Undeterred by having their lead halved, Leatherhead pressed forward. A long cross from the left was volleyed home this time with his right foot by Elston as the home side regained their two goal advantage.
As the half drew to a close, Greg had his first shot on goal. Such was the overall team play that this didn’t seem to matter. His second shot moments later rattled the post.
The second half wasn’t as exciting as the first. Leatherhead began to show signs of fatigue. Not surprising as three of the four midfield players were just back after long spells on the treatment table.
Chances kept on coming though, Greg had the ball in the net after 20 minutes, only for it to be disallowed for handball.
His next chance he hit high and wide such was his determination to get on the scoring sheet.
His third and best of the half came when he robbed the keeper of the ball but managed to miss the target with the resulting shot.
A deep cross to the far post gave Elston the perfect opportunity to claim his hat-trick but it was not to be as his header sailed over the bar.
Basingstoke only needed one goal to send the match into extra time and in the last minute of stoppage time they got a free kick on the edge of the box courtesy of Tom Horley’s hand. Tension was high as the wall retreated the ten yards, rows broke out in the wall, heads were in hands in the crowd but there was no cause for concern as the shot sailed past the post by a more than comfortable inch.
So the lads won and yes they deserved it on the night. The defence, Adam, Tommy, Sacha and Michael Corbett were outstanding. The central midfield duo of Matt and Tommy worked very hard and seemed to win every challenge and at the same time produce some lovely touches.
Up front Steve Barelli probably produced his best performance since returning from an injury sustained at the tail end of last season.
Manager of the Month winner for December John Heath said of the result “We made hard work of it”! Some people are never satisfied!
As a footnote I had a quiet word after the game with Mick Sullivan regarding reporter’s expenses – I believe I can still hear him laughing…..
Team: Anthony Gutney, Tommy Williams, Sacha, Michael Corbett’, Adam Godwell, Marc Elston, Matt Farrell, Tom Horley, Rob Stevens, Greg Andrews, Steve Barelli
Subs: Julian Thompson, Jamie Beer, John Dale, Josh, Antonio
Report by Ken Elston