Leatherhead 0 Chipstead 1
Tanners bowed out of the Velocity Cup with a disjointed performance against
Chipstead at Fetcham Grove on Tuesday.
Chips centre back Rylan John outjumped his marker to score the only goal from a
corner midway through the second half in a cup tie lacking in creativity, passion and
desire from the hosts.
Leatherhead squandered the few good chances they created in the opening half, with a
couple of fine saves from Chipstead custodian Balwin Kaluya keeping the tie goalless
at half time.
Despite once again demonstrating their ability to keep possession and move the ball
around the pitch, Leatherhead were unable to make a telling final pass in the second
half and they rarely looked like scoring once they fell behind.
Tanners dominated possession in the opening forty-five minutes with Chipstead rarely
getting out of their own half.
Leatherhead’s Trevan Robinson produced a rasping shot from a wide angle on 19
minutes which was deflected for a corner by the Chips keeper.
Robinson’s pace showed again on 40 minutes with a quick turn and shot which went
narrowly wide.
Kalani Barton won a corner for the hosts in the closing minutes of the half. The ball
was cleared away as far as Daniel Hector, who fired over from a tight angle.
Tanners had an opportunity to take the lead on 49 minutes after winning a free kick
just outside the visitors’ penalty area. But Kenny Beaney’s firmly driven strike from
25 yards went straight to the keeper.
Chips had their first attempt on goal on 62 minutes after winning a corner. The
hesitant Leatherhead defence showed signs of what was to follow as they scrambled
the ball away to safety.
But Tanners were undone two minutes later by Chipstead’s next corner. Goalkeeper
Brian Okonkwo and the defenders around him failed to judge the flight of the ball and
John leapt up in the middle of the goalmouth to put the visitors ahead.
Abel Vendrells could have doubled Chips lead on 75 minutes, but his fierce drive was
well saved by Okonkwo.
Leatherhead tried in vain to get back onto level terms in the final fifteen minutes, but
showed little creativity going forward against a well organised Chips defence.
Tanners will need to show more purpose in attack and a desire to shoot in front of
goal when they return to League action against Thatcham Town on Saturday.
Leatherhead: Brian Okonkwo, Kalani Barton (Bradley Manning 69), Michael Elechi,
Junior Savanne (Tyler Cox 69), Jerry Puemo (Luther Williams 53), Fikayo
Atewologun, Trey Masikini (Gus Sow 69), Kenny Beaney, Trevan Robinson, Daniel
Hector, Omarr Lawson
Chipstead: Baldwin Kaluya, Matt Kellett-Smith, Alfie Young, Nicolas Wilson
(Danyaal Iqbal 84), Rylan John, Nathaniel Kenlock (Jaden Edwards 45), Khalid
Babikir, Chad Goulter, Jacob Sewell (Arlie Desanges 68), Abel Vendrells, Daniel
Berry (Bradley Wilson 60)