Subedited by Ted Burchell
Good evening from The Dripping Pan, home of Lewes FC, as the high flyers in the Isthmian league welcome strugglers Leatherhead FC who currently sit at the bottom of the table. Goals galore expected today as Leatherhead boast an unfavourable record of the worst goal difference in the division, while Lewes FC striker Joe Taylor is currently joint top scorer in the Isthmian league with 8 goals. However, Lewes FC tend to struggle against this opposition with only one win in the previous 5 fixtures between the sides.
And the Line-ups are here!
1′ Kick off! We’re underway at the Dripping Pan! The home fans are in full song for this highly anticipated tie.
7′ Free kick for Leatherhead provides a shooting chance but its well defended by M.Weaire. A cagey affair so far as both teams look to catch each other on the counter attack.
10′ Great link up play down the left flank, Tanner is played through on goal with plenty of time but he squanders the chance, a let off for leatherhead who have been dominant so far.
12′ The pressure is piling on leatherhead as a moment of brilliance from Tanner again requires an intelligent save from Bowman the Leatherhead goalkeeper to keep the scores even.
The Away side Haven’t come in numbers but their dedicated support is undeniable!
17′ Lewes go close again. A floated free kick from Maloney misses everyone in the box, a touch from anyone would have put the rooks 1 up.
25′ M.Klaas plays a loose pass which is pounced upon by the Leatherhead number 9 Onokwai who hits a speculative effort from 25 yards which forces a strong save.
28′ Great chance for leatherhead on the counter number 11 is played neatly down the left wing and cuts in producing a driven shot which is saved at the near post.
29′ Another good save from Carey , leatherhead once again look to play direct and over the defence as the attacker manages to stay on side and shoot from a tight angle. After a ricochet, the ball is collected by the keeper.
31′ The best chance of the opening third. Cute passing from Lewes leads to space for a cross into the box. An accurate cross reaches number M.Klaas who has a free header but blazes the ball over the bar as he bellows in disappointment.
34′ Smart work from Tanner once again as he wriggles away from the challenging Leatherhead defenders to create space for a shot from distance. His shot is fired miles over the bar; safe to say that ball will never be seen again.
36′ Yellow card for M.Klaas. The Lewes midfielder is booked for a late challenge.
38′ Yellow card for Leatherheads Guy Kiangebini for a cynical foul.
39′ Lewes FC 3-0 Leatherhead
It had to be the number 9 Joe Taylor! Simple move from a throw in, the ball is played into Taylor who holds the ball up well and unleashes a thunderous strike on the pivot into the top left corner. 1-0!
40′ Offside goal! Leatherhead thought had equalised from a through pass but the goal was ruled out for offside. From the naked eye the tanners’ number 9 looked to have been onside, a controversial call.
43′ Red card! Ryan Huckle is sent off for leatherhead for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. Taylor runs through on goal after a loose touch from the defender. The isthmian leagues top scorer is clear on goal and the defender can only pull him down, resulting in his dismissal.
45′ Lewes FC 3-0 Leatherhead
Lewes grab a second from the resulting free kick. A poor free kick from Maloney hits the wall and takes a huge deflection sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. A long night ahead for the Greens it would seem.
45 mins half time! 2-0
Goals: 39′ Joe Taylor 45′ Taylor Maloney
45′ And were underway for the second half, Leatherhead have work to do if they are to take away anything from this game, the next goal is crucial.
Substitution for Lewes : Cameron Black replaces Stephane Bomblenga
Substitution for Lewes: Killian Colombie replaces Kenneth Yao
49′ Lewes FC 3-0 Leatherhead
It’s surely game over now. First real action of the second half it looks easy for Lewes against 10 men. Bradley Pritchard, again from a throw in, the leatherhead defence switch off briefly and Pritchard finds himself in space and burrows a calm finish into the bottom right corner.
57′ – Incredible save from Bowman! Quick reflexes from the stopper deny Lewes a 4th as Klaas attempts to curl a shot round the keeper from close range. Bowman gets a fingertip to it and the ball goes out for a corner which is eventually cleared.
Substitution for Lewes: Freddie Parker replaces Michael Klass
60′ Lewes FC 4-0 Leatherhead
Lewes get their 4th! It’s Joe Taylor once again. Corner delivered to the far post, headed back into the penalty area and bundled over the line by the neatly positioned number 9 for his brace. The 10 men of Leatherhead look exhausted this could turn into a cricket score.
62′ Yellow card for Lewes – T.Carsle
64′ Tanner almost gets his goal which he will feel entitled to given his startling performance. Poor defending from leatherhead full back leaves number him 1 on 1 with the keeper at a tight angle. His attempted trivela is saved comfortably. What a goal that would have been!
- Photo from James Boyes on Flickr shows Tanner’s attempt saved by the Leatherhead Goalkeeper.
71′ Substitution for Lewes : Iffy Allen replaces Razz Coleman De-Graft
74′ Lewes FC 5-0 Leatherhead
Fresh legs; something that leatherhead do not boast to this point. Tanner makes a smart run from a direct long ball! His effort hits the post but substitute Allen is well positioned for an open goal having only been on the pitch for 3 minutes. It’s just not happening for number 7 who has been so close to capping off a wonderful performance with a goal.
77′ As expected the 10 men of leatherhead are tiring as the game becomes much more open. Chances galore as leatherhead cannot handle the pressure. It’s hit and hope for them. Reset and recycle for Lewes.
78′ – Best chance of the half for leatherhead. A long ball falls all the way through to the striker who has space and time but cannot find the finish as he places his curled shot high and wide. A very frustrating night for him is exaggerated by his aggressive reaction to the miss.
81′ Chance for Lewes! Drilled cross into Iffy Allen who somehow misses the target from close range. His misery was relieved as the offside flag was raised.
84′ Pritchard has been looking for a long distance opportunity since his introduction. His chance arises and he drills low and wide as the crowd releases a sigh.
85′ Tanner looks out of place in this league an extraordinary performance tonight! Except he seems to have left his shooting boots at home. Another good chance saved by the keeper. The leatherhead right back will be having nightmares about number 7 he’s had a torrid time this evening.
87′ Another save for Bowman! The ball is worked down the centre of the pitch and the Lewes midfielder unleashes a powerful strike that looks destined for the net. yet again another strong hand from leatherhead number 1. The only green player who can hold his head up after this game, while he has conceded 5 he has saved triple that figure.
90′ 3 mins additional time is administered.
Corner for Lewes. An out-swinging cross from Iffy Allen is cleared easily at the far post as the referee blows his whistle for the final time!
90+ 3 FULL TIME
Man of the match – Joe Taylor
Here’s what the gaffers have to say!
Leatherhead Manager reflects on what went wrong for the Tanners this evening:
