The last game of February saw second place play third, as we welcomed Earlsfield FC to Church Road. The visitors took the lead after four minutes, while our defence was still half-asleep, but we responded with a classy brace from the always lively Gus Ward. The points looked to be in the bag, with the Leafe creating a number of opportunities throughout the game, but the ref had other ideas! A dubious penalty – with subsequent red card – and the Leafe were down to 10 men. Earlsfield scored from the spot, making it 2-2 in the 87th minute. Could we hang on? Yes, we could, and then some! In the 97th minute, debutant Sirak Negassi latched on to an overhead pass and his lob shot sailed into the top corner. It ended 3-2 to the Leafe – what a game!
Battle of Tandridge: the return
Next up, the return fixture of the ‘Battle of Tandridge’, against Oxted & District FC at Master Park. Drizzly rain, a biting wind and a sticky pitch did not lend itself to free-flowing football, but Leafe managed to edge a tight game with a (long overdue) goal from Kane Orlebar.
The second March game saw us in Richmond, to play league whipping boys (lost 14, drawn 1) Kew Park Rangers. A bright 30 minutes from us, with a brace from Dominik Patek, and we took a 2-0 lead into half-time. The second-half saw a rejuvinated KPR put a lethargic Leafe under pressure with a goal, but we hung on and took all three points home.
Ruthless victory
Our third game took us to Banstead, to take on AFC Ewell. No lethargy today, as the boys produced a ruthless 6-1 victory: we stay top.
Add the 9 April to your diary, for our final home game of the season against red-hot Wimbledon Casuals. Come down and roar us to victory, and possibly the title!
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and at www.afcwhyteleafe.com for all the latest news, fixtures, results and more.
