After last weekend’s test against Bognor Regis Town FC, we travelled to Leatherhead FC to continue our pre-season preparations in the Advertiser Trophy.
Under Ian Selley, the home side have enjoyed recent success, gaining promotion from the Isthmian South Central League and winning both of their pre-season friendlies so far. However, we started quicker than our hosts, with Alfie Rutherford registering a shot on target after just 42 seconds, before Isaac Philpot volleyed wide.
In the 13th meeting between the two sides, the hosts quickly responded by applying pressure through the likes of Kofi Anokye-Boadi, a summer signing from Chatham Town, and Jacob Breckon, before Jack Wood struck the post in an entertaining opening to the match.
Having won 1-0 in our last outing thanks to a solitary goal from George Nikaj, we conceded first 15 minutes into our second pre-season fixture as Nathan Hogan scored directly from a free-kick.
Our hosts remained resolute in protecting their lead during the following exchanges. However, we produced a number of attacks in search of an equaliser, with Josh Barrett seeing his effort from range turned behind for a corner.
With a month to go until National League South football, and tests against the likes of Dulwich Hamlet and Charlton still to come, we turned the game around in a matter of minutes at Fetcham Grove.
Cameron Black headed the ball into his own net as we equalised, before George Nikaj put us ahead with a mazy run and a composed finish into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the box.
Following the two goals, we continued to apply the pressure as we looked to extend our lead. Jack Wood tested Leatherhead goalkeeper Sonny Wheeler, but the score remained unchanged at the half-time whistle as we took a one-goal advantage into the break.
Seconds into the second half, James McShane nipped in to win the ball before sliding in substitute Jake Lawrence, whose effort was cleared off the line.
In an entertaining encounter, the hosts equalised from close range after good build-up play involving Kofi Anokye-Boadi. Jack Wood went close once more, before the hosts thought they had gone ahead, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.
With the scores level, the hosts applied pressure in search of a winner. Lively substitute Marcel Barrington tested his luck on several occasions, striking the bar with a curling effort after turning sharply on the ball.
With minutes remaining, Barrington thought he had given his side the lead after attacking a cross and turning the ball home, only to be adjudged to have fouled Max Foulkes.
However, moments later, the forward did give his side the lead after twisting and turning in the box before slamming the ball home.
Despite some late pressure and a dangerous cross that caused problems for the Leatherhead defence, we fell short in our second pre-season fixture as Leatherhead registered just their third-ever victory over us.
We continue our pre-season preparations on the road next Friday with a trip to Jersey Bulls.