Match Report by Rod Ellis
Leatherhead 3 Horndean 2
Leatherhead maintained their position at the top of the table thanks to a remarkable second half comeback against Horndean.
The Deans took a two goal lead at half time before Tanners fought back in the second half with goals from Mark Waters, George Hedley and Anas Igozouln to secure the three points.
Leatherhead welcomed back Kane Fitzgerald after a long absence, with his half time introduction as a substitute being instrumental in Tanners’ turnaround.
Horndean took the lead with a stunning opening goal after four minutes. Midfielder Ryan Carroll received the ball just inside Leatherhead’s half and, seeing Sonny Wheeler well off his line, lobbed the Tanners keeper from more than forty yards out.
The hosts searched in vain for an equaliser. On 12 minutes Lukas Franzen-Jones broke clear at the half way line and fed the ball through to an advancing Igozouln. But the former Ascot United winger fired over from the edge of the box without testing Deans’ goalkeeper Myles Bowman.
Tanners continued to press forward but were met by stern resistance from the Deans’ defence, who were happy to concede a string of corners in the opening half.
Horndean missed out on a couple of good chances to build on their lead. Ollie Godziemski broke clear on 36 minutes and set up an opportunity for Carroll, who fired wide without testing Wheeler. A couple of minutes later Ewan Lynch’s well directed cross just evaded an advancing Brandon Chebby in front of goal.
Tanners missed a chance to level on 40 minutes, with Jordan Gallagher’s wide angled
shot clipping the top of the crossbar.
Horndean were rewarded with a second goal just before half time. Leatherhead failed to clear up at the back and the visitors won a free kick just outside the Tanners’ penalty after a clumsy challenge from Hedley on Godzeiemski. Carroll picked out Michael O’Connell in the box to head past Wheeler from close range.
Tanners knew they had to increase the intensity of play. Fitzgerald and Jacob Breckon were brought on at the start of the second half and almost immediately Fitzgerald tested Bowman with a curling shot from the edge of the box.
Leatherhead’s increased pressure was rewarded with a goal on 52 minutes. Horndean failed to clear the ball away from danger and Waters struck a superb long range effort into the corner of the net.
Tanners continued to pressurise on the Deans’ defence in search of an equaliser. Shots from Fitzgerald and Billy Montague went just over the bar before Horndean’s Lynch tested Wheeler with a rare breakaway effort from the visitors.
On 70 minutes Igozouln was brought down just outside the Deans penalty area and Fitzgerald’s subsequent free kick was deflected behind by a defender for another Leatherhead corner.
Tanners should have levelled two minutes later after Breckon headed the ball down for an advancing Nathan Hogan. But instead of finding the target Hogan side footed his close range effort over the bar.
Leatherhead didn’t have to wait much longer for their equaliser. Hogan picked out Hedley with a corner to the near post and the versatile wing back’s glancing header flew into the corner of the net.
With increasing pressure in attack, Tanners now had the bit between their teeth and knew that it was only a matter of time before they scored a decisive third goal to put them ahead and complete a remarkable turnaround.
On 74 minutes Horndean could only clear away to the edge of their penalty area and the ball dropped invitingly for Igozouln to turn and volley through a crowded penalty area and into the back of the net.
Leatherhead almost added a fourth on 84 minutes but Breckon’s goal bound header was cleared off the line by Deans’ centre back Matt Kellett-Smith.
Saturday’s win sees Tanners go two points clear of Raynes Park Vale at the top of the table, with Hanworth Villa and Hayes & Yeading United a further point behind.
Leatherhead visit Binfield on Tuesday evening for a rearranged league fixture. Kick-
off is at 7.45pm.
Leatherhead: Sonny Wheeler, Niran Butler, Cameron Black, Mark Waters, Lukas
Franzen-Jones (Kane Fitzgerald 45), Seb Tauta-Caballero (Jacob Breckon 45), Anas
Igozouln , Billy Montague, George Hedley, Louie Paget, Jordan Gallagher, (Nathan
Hogan 64)
Horndean: Myles Bowman, Jake Flannigan, Zion Nditi, Michael O’Connell (Henry
Yates 78), Matt Kellett-Smith, Harry Medway, Ryan Carroll, Siph Mdalose (Ollie
Erdinc 77, Brandon Chebby, Ewan Lynch (Leon Baker 67), Ollie Godziemski
