Sub-edited by Freddie Cotton
Welcome to the Dripping Pan, I am Patrick McGahren and I will be taking you through todays action. This evenings fixture promises to be lively with Lewes scoring 18 goals in their last five, and Leatherhead conceding 13.
Leatherhead come into this one having just parted ways with their manager on Sunday, Nikki Bull. While the odds may be stacked against them you can never count a team out in non-league football.
Ones to watch. Ollie Tanner and Joe Taylor have a combined 14 league goals this season, the latter of the two topping the scoring charts with eight. Both will be looking to add to their respective tallies today against a bottom of the league Leatherhead who are not in good form.
Team News-
Lewes FC-
Leatherhead FC-
Our Prediction
Given the current circumstances, I would not count out a high scoring bonanza.
Lewes 6-0 Leatherhead.
Kick Off
1- (0-0) Here we go, the teams have walked out and the match is underway.
5- (0-0) An excellent start from Lewes. Michael Klass wins the ball back in the middle of the park and ignites a passing move up the pitch. The move culminates at the feet of Ollie Tanner, the wingers strike towards the bottom right hand corner from the edge of the box produces a good save from Leatherhead goalkeeper Miles Bowman.
13- (0-0) Lewes are on the offensive yet again as Tanner is denied twice. The Lewes danger man somehow manages to miss a one on one from five yards out, chipping the ball wide. He is then denied again by Bowman at the near post after a great run from the half way line.
27- (0-0) Chance for Leatherhead. A poor pass out of defence from Matt Weaire allows Chid Onokwai to have a shot on goal from 30 yards out. Lewis Carey provides a decent stop, diving low down to his right. Leatherhead reminding us that they are not just here to make up the numbers.
39- (1-0) GOAL LEWES. After a floated cross from Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, league top scorer Joe Taylor adds to his tally with a wonderful touch down and finish. After having his back to goal, the prolific forward was able to turn and take a shot which thundered off the crossbar and into the top-left hand corner of the net. Lewes take a deserved lead.
43- (1-0) RED CARD LEATHERHEAD. A Long ball from Klass allows Joe Taylor to get ahead of Leatherhead captain Ryan Huckle who subsequently pulls him back just outside the box in what is a clear goalscoring opportunity. No hesitation from the referee who immediately shows him red, Huckle kicks the ball away in frustration and heads into the tunnel for an early shower. Lewes now have a dangerous free kick on the edge of the area.
45- (2-0) GOAL LEWES. Taylor Maloney whips the resulting free kick towards goal and after a deflection from the wall the ball sails into the bottom left hand corner. Not the cleanest goal but more than deserved putting Lewes two goals up just before the break.
HALF TIME LEWES 2-0 LEATHERHEAD
A deserved lead for Tony Russel’s men at the break after controlling the play for the majority of the half. With Leatherhead being a man down, it seems there will be no shortage of action in the second half.
KICK OFF– (2-0) The teams are back out for the second half and both teams have opted for a change.
50- (3-0) GOAL LEWES. Bradley Pritchard hits a right footed shot from just inside the box into the bottom left-hand corner via a slight deflection. Bowman can’t stretch far enough and with this goal it seems there is no way back for the Tanners.
A second substitution for Lewes.
59- (4-0) GOAL LEWES. Corner ball whipped in from Tanner, Weaire jumps high and heads towards goal and Taylor helps it in from two yards. Not the best goal of the night but one that shows the determination of Lewes even after being three goals to the good. Leatherhead look broken at the back and you have to feel for them.
69- (4-0) Michael Tanner cuts in from the left and strikes it low into the bottom left corner but is again denied by Bowman. Tanner has been excellent today and a constant threat on the left wing, you can see the frustration and hunger in his face as he chases his goal.
A third and final substitution by Lewes.
74- (5-0) GOAL LEWES. Iffy Allen with an instant impact of the bench. Freddie Parker plays a great ball over the top to find Tanner, now playing on the right fires a piercing shot across goal into the bottom left corner but is this time denied by the post thankfully Allen is there to tuck away the rebound and make it five. There is no way back for Leatherhead now.
85- (5-0) It appears it’s not Ollie Tanner’s day to find the back of the net. He goes on another one of his trademark runs easily passing three Leatherhead players and driving into the box only to be denied yet again by Bowman, his kryptonite this evening.
90-FULL TIME
Lewes 5-0 Leatherhead
An excellent showing from Lewes this evening beating Leatherhead five goals to nil. Although helped by a red card to Leatherhead captain Ryan Huckle in the 43rd minute, the Rooks were easily the better side over ninety minutes and deserved the win.
Tonight’s man of the match goes to Joe Taylor, adding two goals to his tally and extending his lead further at the top of the goal charts for the Isthmian premier league. And a special mention must also go to Ollie Tanner. Although not finding the back of the net he had a fantastic performance. Both of these players featured in our ones to watch showcase and look set to lead Lewes on a promotion charge this season.
That’s full time from me at the dripping pan. A superb staging from Lewes against a disgruntled Leatherhead side and it ends 5-0.
