The writing was on the wall very early on in this game. Leatherhead looked comfortable on the ball and were 2-0 up within 20 minutes. We had no idea & could barely string 2 passes together. Our defending was terrible and we offered nothing up front.
After winning 2-0 against Whitehawk we did not envisage being 4-0 down to Leatherhead by half-time!
Well, at least we scored in the second half and possibly could have had another although it would have been purely to improve our goal difference.
We did play slightly better in the second half which wasn't particularly difficult given the shocking display in the first half.
Maybe this is one of those seasons where we are really good at home...
No real positives to take from that, except for after hitting the post when we should have scored, (around 60 mins), left and beat the road narrowing measures that appear to be put in place daily, on the M25.
Lets be fair, that opening game could have easily been a draw.
How Azeez has landed a two year contract is beyond me.
If he has to play, I would have him in a more midfield role behind two centre forwards.
Well i thought it would be a tough game but not that tough. I don't really have any idea how good Leatherhead are because we basically gifted them most of their goals last night..?! To concede 4 in half an hour is very poor. Our keeper and back four (individually and collectively) were abject last night. Maybe a bit of pride salvaged in the second half but that's precious little consolation. We can all debate the best forward options but the fact remains we won't win (m)any games defending like that.
What was perhaps just as alarming was how passive we were and showed a lack of aggression across the pitch. We couldn't make simple passes ans we were bullied all over the pitch and I didn't see that happening. I don't think our management team would have been very impressed by that but I back them to sort it out. Also we are so quiet on the pitch - there's a lot of experience on that pitch but I've heard more noise in a library...
Perhaps it's better to have such a performance early in the season and we can iron out some of those deficiencies. I was looking forward to hearing from the manager but I believe there was an interview posted last night but now it's disappeared..?? Everyone needs to take accountability for that performance...
-- Edited by Bartley is God on Wednesday 12th of August 2026 10:31:28 AM
I was reminded last night about Truro away at Plymouth. Only difference being I am sure this will be a blip and I trust Ryan will ensure the team bounce back. Great support from the travelling wings and thanks to Rene for organising coach and Sally and Davy for looking after it on the day. Been there done that and sold the t shirt so I know whats involved.
I saw Leatherhead (pre season) vs Dorking Wanderers and they won and looked a decent outfit. I only got there last night at 2-0 and then almost 3 and 4 went in so can't comment really on the first half. The second half we had a lot of possession but with a lack of real quality finishing. The Leatherhead backline was well drilled though and at times you did not really know where a goal was coming from but we did score (as we sang) win the 2nd half 1-0. Too early to shout crisis, forget it, bad day at office and move on.
-- Edited by Milton007 on Wednesday 12th of August 2026 02:13:00 PM
