Leatherhead 1 Brentford XI 0
Leatherhead extended their pre-season winning run to five matches with a
comfortable victory against a young Brentford XI at Fetcham Grove on Saturday.
Tanners were rarely tested by a Bees’ side mainly comprised of Under 18s, with the
match decided by a single goal midway through the opening half following an
excellent turn and finish from Tyler Cox.
Brentford showed their inexperience in the opening minute, when a series of well
struck passes culminated in a defender playing a careless ball back towards his
goalkeeper and conceding a needless corner.
Cox had a chance to open the scoring for Tanners on 12 minutes after dispossessing a
defender 40 yards out from goal, but his tame shot was easily gathered by Bees’
goalkeeper Reggie Rose.
Leatherhead continued to press forward and Dan Hector went close after trying to
chip the young keeper from a tight angle.
The deadlock was eventually broken on 23 minutes with a fine turn and finish from
Cox. The former Sutton Common Rovers man took the ball around three Bees’
defenders in the penalty area before picking his spot to beat the keeper.
Dave Tarpey missed a chance to add to Tanners lead on 31 minutes when his goal-
bound effort was cleared off the line.
Brentford’s best chance of the half came when Emeka Peters did well to chase down a
long ball heading towards the corner flag and drilled a well-directed cross into the box
towards an advancing forward. But the Bees’ trialist was unable to control the ball
and his close range header went wide.
On 62 minutes the visitors gave away an indirect free kick less than ten yards from
their goal line, when the keeper unwisely picked up a back pass from a defender.
Kenny Beaney touched the ball through to Tarpey, but the Bees’ defence stood firm
and blocked the Tanners skipper’s powerful effort.
Beaney should have wrapped things up for Leatherhead on 78 minutes after Michael
Elechi was brought down inside the Bees’ penalty area. But his spot kick lacked any
power and precision and the young keeper made a comfortable save low to his right.
Tanners dominated possession in the closing minutes of play to see out the match, but
should have won this useful workout against their young opponents by a much wider
margin.
Leatherhead’s pre-season schedule continues on Tuesday when they welcome
National League South visitors Dartford to Fetcham Grove.