Leatherhead 3 Dartford 1
Leatherhead extended their pre-season winning run to five matches as they outplayed
National League South visitors Dartford at Fetcham Grove on Tuesday.
Tanners showed the strength and depth of their squad with three fabulous long range
strikes from Trey Masikini, Omarr Lawson and Dave Tarpey as they ran out 3-1
winners against their Step 2 opponents.
Dartford started strongly and took an early lead after seven minutes. A free kick on
the corner of the Tanners penalty area found Charlie Sheringham, who sent the ball
across the width of the goal for Ollie Box to head home from close range.
Darts should have extended their lead ten minutes later but Leatherhead goalkeeper
Casper Danielewicz did well to block a fierce drive from Joe Rabbetts before saving
Sheringham’s powerful follow up.
Tanners equalised on 23 minutes with a thirty yard wonder-strike from Masikini
which flew into the corner of the net, giving no chance to Dartford trialist keeper.
Leatherhead raised the tempo of the match with the high level of passing and
possession football that has marked out their pre-season to date, with Trevan
Robinson and Dan Hector testing the former Tanners keeper before the break.
Darts missed a chance to restore their lead early in the second half with Sheringham
forcing another smart save from Danielewicz and Box seeing his header tipped over
the bar by the Leatherhead keeper. Ashden Day also came close for the visitors on 81
minutes, with a quick turn and shot that flew over the bar.
Tanners were re-energised by a series of substitutions in the closing minutes.
Lawson hit a thunderous thirty yard effort into the corner of the net to put the hosts
ahead on the night on 89 minutes, before Tarpey latched onto another loose ball on
the edge of the visitors’ area in stoppage time to add a glorious third goal and seal the
victory for the hosts.
Leatherhead’s pre-season schedule concludes on Saturday when they visit Beckenham
Town of the Isthmian League South East division.