With Leatherhead having been lucky to escape the first encounter of the season with a draw following a controversial equaliser eight minutes into added time, in the return match – the Assassins’ last of the season – the hosts Leatherhead Youth once more can count themselves fortunate to have earned a point.
On a large pitch with an excellent surface the Assassins were instructed to maximise use of space and retention of possession - preventing Leatherhead from settling into any kind of rhythm. Playing high up the pitch would reduce the pressure on the three-man defence and the keeper. No player was found wanting. For the first quarter Leatherhead barely saw the ball; Connor Boniface in central midfield was magnificent, using the space available to run at retreating opponents who rarely succeeded in winning the ball from him, allowing him to distribute effectively to the flanks and striker. On left and right Louie Darlington and Harry Watts time and again used the possession they received to keep the Leatherhead defence pushed back, whilst Joe Rabbetts’ strong running and harrying across their defensive line made it difficult for them to keep shape.
It was thus completely against the run of play when Leatherhead took the lead after 14 minutes. A good passing move from midfield enabled a Leatherhead cut-in from their right, their scorer taking his chance well by shaping right and side-footing left.
No despondency from the Assassins, however. Five minutes later touchline-hugger Darlington advanced down the left wing and passed inside to striker Callum Holder. Holder took the ball forward and following a neat body swerve he beat the keeper with a sweet strike.
The introduction of Owen Knowles on the left of the defensive three, and Lily Turner on the right of the midfield four enabled the team’s high energy levels to be maintained. Turner protected the flank well with her consistently accurate reading of the game; Knowles continued Will Timmons excellent work of tidying-up Leatherhead’s attempts to break through then distributing accurately to the midfield. On the rare occasion that Leatherhead threatened, Sam Church and Luke Page used lightening covering pace and strong challenges to ensure protection for keeper Huw Morgan.
At half-time it was emphasised to the team that their first-half performance had demonstrated their ability to overcome a strong Leatherhead team. It was at 35 minutes, howeve, on one of those rare occasions that they broke through that Leatherhead took the lead once more with a shot across Morgan’s left from 6 yards out.
The score remained at 2-1 to Leatherhead through the greater part of the second half; Holder had two difficult chances that on another day would have reaped reward but his speed and improved physicality kept the Leatherhead defence fully occupied, and constant marauding runs from Rabbetts doubled the terror. Further back there was no diminution in work-rate in midfield and defence, the attitude being exemplified by Watts and Knowles who maintained a high level of performance despite being asked to do so in different positions at various times during the match. In goal Morgan made two excellent saves, including a finger-tip deflection over the bar.
With five minutes to go and still 2-1 one down, it seemed – not for the first time this season – that the Assassins were to finish with nothing after a dominant performance. The decision was made to return Luke Page to the fray for a final assault up front, and only Church stayed deep to provide cover. Page followed perfectly his instructions to use his dribbling skills to wreak havoc, and following his shot a penalty was awarded for handball. He stepped up and drove a vicious strike home. 2-2.
Another turn for the worse for the Assassins however, as from the restart Leatherhead fed the ball to their right-midfielder and from some way out he struck a superb lofted shot which ‘keeper Morgan was powerless to keep out. It seemed that the Assassins were not to be rewarded for their magnificent endeavours.
But justice was to prevail. The Assassins kept pressing, winning two corners in the dying seconds. Luke Page’s first effort was put behind for a second, which he struck cleanly and with intention curled on a beautiful parabola, dropping it in just under the bar. The final whistle followed seconds later to confirm a 3-3 draw which was the least the Assassins deserved for a performance which brought together all the strengths they have worked so hard to develop this season.
