This Evening’s Match Preview - Leatherhead (Away) KO 7.45pm

Dulwich Hamlet aim for some Staines removal as they look to bounce back away to Leatherhead

After a storming start to the season that saw them ahead of the Hamlet on goal difference after the first two outings, the Tanners have suffered setbacks to their momentum in the last fortnight none more so on Saturday last when they twice let slip leads against Canvey Island.

Though the Tanners came out if preseason on the back of a four game winless run, the quality of opposition ranged against them in those encounters served them well once the phoney war was over. Defeat to Erith and Belvedere might have been disappointing but there was consolation to had from their performances against Dartford, Margate and Basingstoke Town at home in the final run-in of preseason.

As Dulwich were overturning Canvey Island 3-0 on the opening day of the season, so the Tanners were matching their exploits at Fetcham Grove with a comprehensive overhaul of a Lewes side that seemed to be still on their holidays. Early goals from Kiernan Hughes-Mason and Vasileios Karagiannis inside the first ten minutes put the hosts well and truly in the driving seat but it was not until stoppage time that substitute Mark Nwokeji fired home from close range for Leatherhead’s third.

Playing away to Kingstonian in the only Monday night game Leatherhead took full advantage to seize sole possession of top spot as the K’s were blown away by a whirlwind first half performance from their guests and Karagiannis in particular. The midfielder added to his goal two days earlier with a well taken brace against a shell-shocked K’s side reduced to ten men before the break as George Wells was given his marching orders. From that free kick Phil Walsh claimed his maiden Tanners’ goal, albeit in somewhat fortuitous circumstances with the ball punched against his head by the home goalie! The effect on the battered K’s must have been deep as they proceeded to rattle seven goals past Met Police next time out!

However the momentum died at Staines the following Saturday with Michael Kalu’s only goal of the game setting up victory for the Swans. More bad news for the Tanners came late on as Josh Gallagher picked up a second yellow leaving Leatherhead to see out the final phase of the game a man shy.

As is often the case in the League Cup, the Tanners made changes for their Alan Turvey Trophy tie in midweek away to Division One South Three Bridges with manager Richard Brady experimenting with his squad. In an entertaining game, Sam McVicar nicked the lead for Bridges late in the first half with a well taken header before Hughes-Mason levelled things 12 minutes into the second half as he dispatched a succinct free kick into the top corner of the net. Yet, despite Bridges being reduced to ten men for the best part of a half hour, Leatherhead found themselves unable to break through and put the tie to bed. With the two sides inseparable at the end of 90 minutes, the roulette wheel would be spun and penalties taken. A saga of spot kicks ensued as Bridges missed their first two kicks only for Leatherhead to eschew this advantage and leave it 3-3 after five apiece. Fourteen more penalties ensued before Ryan Mahal missed his and the experienced Mark Pulling stepped up to dispatch kick number 26 sending Leatherhead out.
Did the late stop out affect the Tanners at the weekend as, after recovering from Jay Curran’s 7th minute opener, they built a 3-1 lead through Hughes-Mason and the prolific Karagiannis with another brace. However Canvey were still in touch as Martin Tuohy made it 3-2 before Karagiannis lost his cool, swiping out at an opponent to earn an early bath. Yet the deficit did not prevent Tanners extending their lead once more as Walsh found the net, but in the sweltering conditions the Leatherhead began to wilt and their defences were breached twice as the Seagulls retaliated through Marlon Agyakwa before John Easterford struck in stoppage time for a share of the points.

This evening’s game kicks off at 7.45 pm at Fetcham Grove, Guildford Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 9AS.
Admission prices:
Adults £10.00
OAP/Concessions £7.00
Under 16 £4.00
Programmes on sale at main gate £2.00