By Rod Ellis
Tanners continued their pre-season build up with an encouraging 3-2 win against Lewes at Fetcham Grove on Saturday.
First half goals from Trey Masikini and Kenny Beaney gave Leatherhead a two-goal advantage before the visitors hit back with two well taken goals midway through the second half. Dave Tarpey secured the hosts’ win with a fine finish on 81 minutes.
Trevan Robinson set up Leatherhead’s opener on 19 minutes, with the former Chertsey Town striker skirting round two defenders and taking the ball to the by-line before laying it off to an advancing Masikini to score from close range.
Robinson almost doubled the hosts’ lead two minutes later, only to be denied by a fine fingertip save from the Rooks goalkeeper.
Robinson and Masikini combined well again in the run up to Tanners’ second goal on 40 minutes. Masikini fedthe ball through to the quick-paced Robinson, who was brought down as he attempted to round the keeper. The referee instantly blew for a spot kick and Beaney stepped forward to drill the penalty into the corner of the net.
Tanners nearly added a third goal before half time whenDan Hector was fouled just outside the visitors’ area, but the Rooks keeper did well to block a powerfully drivenfree kick.
Lewes almost pulled one back on 49 minutes butLeatherhead keeper Serine Sanneh made an excellent save, turning the ball over the bar for a corner.
Tanners’ concentration started to slip and the hostsconceded a sloppy goal on 55 minutes after failing to clear at the back.
Leatherhead made a triple substitution on 61 minutes introducing Tyler Cox, Jerry Puemo and Tarpey. But the changes further unsettled the Tanners defence as the visitors drew level on 64 minutes.
Tarpey tested the Lewes keeper with a blistering shot on 77 minutes only to be flagged for offside. But Leatherhead’s prolific marksman was not to be denied four minutes later, as he latched onto a loose ball and beat the keeper from the edge of the box.
Tanners’ pre-season continues with a visit to Carshalton Athletic on Tuesday before they face a stern test againsta Brentford XI at Fetcham Grove next Saturday.