THIS WEEKEND’S MATCH PREVIEW – LEATHERHEAD (AWAY) KO 3.00PM

Dulwich Hamlet head down to the Mole Valley as they face up to Jimmy Bullard’s Tanners today.

To say it’s been an "interesting" season for the Tanners’ fans down at Fetcham Grove might be something of an understatement. One win in the opening eight Ryman Premier games combined with an exit from the FA Cup at the first hurdle, beaten by Hythe Town, one rung down the ladder, saw the services of manager Mike Sandeman dispensed with. A fresh management team is usually expected to bring something different to the role. However, few, if any, of the Leatherhead would have expected that position to be filled by a ponytailed former Fulham, Wigan and Hull City midfielder better known for his time on a reality TV show involved being subjected to the triple torment of eating outlandish titbits from the less salubrious parts of exotic creatures and Ant & Dec. Yet with the Tanners’ trapped in the relegation zone, the announcement came from chairman Richard Brady that he had persuaded “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!” star Jimmy Bullard to take his bow in football management in the Fetcham Grove dugout. Those who thought this just a publicity stunt were soon put in their place by Bullard who made it clear the comedy stops when the TV cameras switch off.

Prior to Bullard’s arrival Leatherhead had struggled to gain any rhythm. The opening five games saw them beaten on their travels at relegated Havant & Waterlooville (1-3), Canvey Island (0-3) and Harrow Borough (1-3) whilst the two home games against Grays Athletic and Worthing both produced 1-1 draws. Bank Holiday Monday brought the first victory of the season with goals from Giuseppe Sole and Jerry Nnamani inside the first quarter-hour giving then a flying start in the Surrey Derby with Merstham. Sole would later add a penalty before the break to seal a convincing 3-0 win but it would prove to be a fertile oasis in a barren desert. The following Saturday the Tanners made the long trip down to the Kent coast to face Hythe Town of Ryman South, shot down by the Cannons as Alfie May’s 69th minute goal proved the difference between the sides. A heavy 4-2 defeat away to fast improving Billericay Town proved the straw that broke the camel’s back.

In the brief hiatus between managers, Leatherhead progressed in the Alan Turvey Trophy beating Walton Casuals 2-1 in front of a sparse crowd of just 65 at Fetcham Grove, the exotically named Razzaq Coleman de Graft scoring for the visitors.

Later than week the white smoke emerged, Bullard’s the name on the paper. With a blank Saturday due to the FA Cup exit, the new head honcho would face his first dugout trial away to Folkestone Invicta the following Tuesday. The curiosity factor played its part in pushing Invicta’s crowd to 447, the Kent club’s biggest of the season. It was almost a dream start for Bullard, his Leatherhead side ahead through Ben Francis just before the hour mark only for Ian Draycott to shatter those dreams with a last gasp leveller. Needham Market at home would prove a tougher test but with Sole tucking home an early penalty and John Sands equalising for the Marketmen it was a much needed point against loftier rivals.

If the arrival of Bullard had been a surprise to the Fetcham Grove faithful then the return of local cult hero Tom Bradbrook must have shocked, yet pleased, all. The striker made his return to club colours at home to Staines in midweek and though Adrian Clifton’s only goal of the game saw the Swans depart with all three points Tanners’ fans only had to wait until the weekend to see Bullard gain his first victory even if they had to travel all the way up to AFC Sudbury to witness it! Evander Lopes struck first before the break but the Suffolk side levelled on 56 minutes. Bradbrook was dismissed on 74 minute but just three minutes later Calum Davies to pop up with the match winner and make for happy travellers on the long journey home to Surrey. The win was enough to lift the Leatherhead out of the bottom four for the first time since the opening day of the season.

At home to Leiston, it seemed as if the points would be heading north with the visitors holding a commanding lead with barely seconds of the 90 remaining. With the two Joes, Jefford and Francis having put the Blues in control with just 20 minutes played, Jack Ainsley cancelling out a seeming consolation for the Tanners from Richard Seixas, the endgame brought a thrilling conclusion. Sole smacked home a spot kick after late replacement Kiernan Hughes-Mason had been fouled in the box. Then in the 5th minute of stoppage time Hughes-Mason produced a composed finish to leave the final score three apiece. The goals continuing to flow when Leatherhead visited Burgess Hill but this time there was no late drama though the contest ebbed and flowed with both sides leading at some point before Jack Brivio clinched a 3-2 victory for the Hillians. Defeat dropped the Tanners back into the drop zone and they remain there following a frustrating midweek defeat at the hands of Havant & Waterlooville, George Barker grabbing a breakaway winner midway through the second half.

This afternoon's game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Fetcham Grove, Guildford Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 9AS. Directions to the ground can be found on the official Leatherhead website here.

ADMISSION PRICES

• £10 for Adults
• £7 for Concessions
• £4 for Under 16s

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!