Hockey Report – 29/10/2022: Kenley II – 4 Leatherhead Mens I – 3
South East Region – Men: Oaks League – Division 4

Leatherhead Men Slip To First League Defeat But Remain Top of the Table

Resumption of league fixtures last Saturday meant a tough trip to play 3rd place Kenley in a late start. Leatherhead needed to rediscover their early season success after a loss the previous week, albeit a friendly fixture.

The start was an even affair with both teams regularly surrendering possession but it was Leatherhead who began to get a foot hold in the game. The visitors created the better of any shooting opportunities in the opening 10 minutes with Kenley’s keeper being called into action on 2 or 3 occasions. Leatherhead’s re-jigged defence stuck rigidly to their trusted formation and repelled any threat without keeper Tim Pike needing to make a save.

The deadlock was finally broken on 23 minutes when an attempted Kenley aerial 16 was plucked out of the air by James Hackett, who two deft touches later released Shaun Burchell unmarked at the top of the D. Burchell’s early shot nestled inside the far post to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Leatherhead were now in the ascendancy but the hosts’ crunching tackles forced a loss of shape and the inevitable happened 2 minutes before half time. The visitors allowed a Kenley player to arrive in the D on an overlap and his speculative reverse stick attempt snuck in at the near post to make it 1-1.

Having created enough chances to be 4 or 5 goals clear, Leatherhead were unable to regain the lead and ended the first half frustrated by Kenley’s keeper who had strained his calf making a number of saves, and by the post. It was a welcome half time whistle enabling Leatherhead to regroup and re-focus, knowing the 2nd half was going to be tough.

Leatherhead started the 2nd half positively and with just 3 minutes on the clock James Hackett made a sweet turn on the defensive 23 to bamboozle his marker. He released Shaun Burchell from half way who drove to the D before feeding Chris Bassano who calmly flicked the ball under the keeper to restore Leatherhead’s advantage, and at 2-1 all was looking good.

As the hosts applied pressure, Leatherhead got pulled into a physical contest and ill-discipline started being penalised with cards. Unable to deal with the predicted tussle, Leatherhead allowed the hosts to score a weak penalty corner before conceding a penalty flick through a foot on the line. Kenley duly converted the penalty to go 3-2 up, before quickly adding a fourth with a slick move and easy finish.

At 4-2 down, Leatherhead adapted their formation sacrificing a Centre Back and putting 2 up front. The visitors were now attacking at will, with three opportunities on goal, one on one with the keeper scuppered by an early whistle denying any advantage and preventing the strike. From resultant penalty corners Chris Bassano’s drag flicks were fast and accurate, bringing good saves out of the keeper and one just skimming the crossbar. On another day the visitors might have drawn level.

The final action of the game was another penalty corner for Leatherhead and this time a different routine saw Hackett bury his shot inside the far post, but alas that only reduced the deficit to 4-3.

Leatherhead will have more tough games ahead and can take confidence that they have the ability to prevail if they keep their discipline, play their own hockey and convert their chances. Whilst disappointed by the result blotting their 100% league record this campaign, Leatherhead remain top of the table on goal difference, and next week travel to 4th placed Croydon.