Saturday brings our second, and last, away fixture of this pre-season when we visit old friends from our Isthmian days, Leatherhead.
Our visit to Fetcham Grove will also put grass under the boots of our squad for the first and only time this summer. How green that grass will be, given the recent heat, is another question.
Craig Nelson takes his side into the match unbeaten in their four previous outings and will be looking to get more match minutes into some of his squad than in the early games.
Leatherhead, of the Isthmian League South Central, will also be playing their fifth pre-season game, but their first at home. They began with a 5-1 victory against Sutton United Academy which was followed by a single goal defeat at Cobham. Goals were aplenty in their next game in which they put Knaphill to the sword to the tune of 8-0.
In their annual Advertiser Trophy game against Dorking Wanderers, they found the National League South team too strong and fell to a 5-1 defeat.
The Tanners are managed by ex-Arsenal favourite Ian Selley, who took the reins in May of last year after leaving Westfield. He had previously been in charge at Chertsey Town, who he took to a play-off spot and Hartley Wintney.
Last season Leatherhead finished in eighth position, four points off the play-off spots.
Selley has brought in Anas Igozoulin, who scored 21 times last season for Ascot United and has already found the net a couple of times in pre-season. Nathan Hogan was last season’s Combined Counties Premier Division South leading goalscorer whilst at Redhill. Other signings have been Sam De St Croix and Mark Waters (Farnham), Matt Everitt (Brentford Academy), Louie Paget (Hartley Wintney) and goalkeeper Rileigh Hebditch.
Fetcham Grove is a traditional old football ground with a main stand that runs the length of the pitch with a mixture of seating and terracing. There is further covered terracing behind one goal and with surrounding trees it is quite an attractive setting.
The clubhouse welcomes visiting supporters and the tea bar’s fare was (back in April 2019) a traditional footy menu, but of good quality.
Our last visit, as aforementioned, came at the back end of our promotion season, when a 1-0 win, with a goal from Daniel Gallagher, for the hosts enhanced their play-off hopes rather than particularly damaging ours. Leatherhead ultimately failed to make the play-offs.
Leatherhead station is a 10 minute walk away from Fetcham Grove. Parking at the ground is very limited and supporters will need to use the car park at Leatherhead Leisure Centre, off Guildford Road.
Admission is priced at Adults £5, Concessions £3 and Under-16’s Free and can be purchased online HERE with cash or card on the turnstiles.
Enjoy the game!
