Leatherhead 1 AFC Croydon Athletic 1
Leatherhead continued their pre-season preparations with a fast flowing evenly contested match against AFC Croydon Athletic at Fetcham Grove on Tuesday.
With the game entering the final few minutes, it appeared to be heading towards a goalless stalemate, but an 88th minute strike from a Rams substitute looked to have won it for the visitors before Kingsley Anokye fired home a 90th minute equaliser for the hosts.
Ian Selley’s Tanners line-up contained several of his summer signings, in addition to Trey Masikini and Ollie Cook from last season’s squad that reached the play-off final. Leatherhead’s latest acquisition, Deondre Date, brought in this week on dual registration with Tonbridge Angels, started the match in the coveted number 9 shirt.
There were also a few familiar faces on show in Jermaine McGlashan’s Rams’starting line-up, with ex-Tanners Amadou Tangara in goal, Junior Savanne in defence and Alpha Diallo in midfield.
The Rams had the best of the chances going forward in the opening twenty minutes, with Brandon Perrick firing wide before Ben Checklit hit another effort over the bar.
Date went close to opening his account for Leatherhead on 23 minutes, hitting a wide-angled effort just beyond the post.
Tanners had the ball in the Rams’ net on 35 minutes. Kane Fitzgerald played a passforward for Chike Kandi to slot home, but the latter’s goal celebrations were short-lived as he saw the referee’s assistant’s flag raised for offside.
Leatherhead created further chances going forward in the opening minutes of the second half. A long range effort from Kelvin Massango flew narrowly wide before Date found himself in a one-on-one position against Tangara, but the former South Park striker fired his shot straight at the Rams’ keeper for a comfortable save.
Tanners’ custodian Sonny Wheeler was tested by a Rams strike on 59 minutes, turning a stinging shot behind for a corner.
Tangara did equally well to block Kane Fitzgerald’s fierce drive for Leatherhead on 73 minutes.
The visitors finally broke the deadlock on 88 minutes with a fine solo effort from the player wearing the number 18 shirt.
But with the clock approaching 90 minutes, Leatherhead’s Alex MacAllister fed a ball through to Anokye to fire home a close range equaliser.
Tanners travel to face Hilltop on Saturday for another pre-season friendly. The match will be played at the Middlesex FA Headquarters – Rectory Park, Ruislip Road, Northolt, UB5 5FA. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.