BANSTEAD 1: LEATHERHEAD 1

This Surrey derby survived two pre-start pitch inspections by the referee before the go-ahead was given and a reasonably entertaining game was served up for an above average attendance, writes Colin Darby.

Conditions were always going to be difficult, especially for both attacks, who found turning and twisting in and around the penalty area a hazardous task.

The match produced few clear-cut chances, and neither Glyn Shimell or the Tanners' keeper Justin Gray were called upon to make a serious save until near the end.

Nevertheless, both teams should be commended for their efforts to play a good standard of football on the dicey surface.

Hesitancy

In only the fifth minute the lively Jamie Beer took advantage of hesitancy in Athletic's box by Wayne Finnie and Mark Leahy, and saw his cross-cum-shot just drift past the far upright.

The equally sharp Bobby George intercepted a poor pass to surge into the box and curve a shot just beyond the far post, and when he was brought down moments later by Tommy Smith after a mazy run, David Moore's resulting free kick was held under the bar by Gray.

It was evident that Moore and George were behind most of Athletic's attacks, while the Tanners' player-manager Alex Inglethorpe, well backed up by Jamie Beer, was the player most likely to unhinge Banstead.

Screwed

Early in the second period a long kick out by Gray was latched onto by Inglethorpe, with Banstead defenders seemingly caught cold, and the striker's angled shot screwed inches wide of Shimell's far post.

From a Finnie throw-in Whelan headed straight into Gray's arms, with the same fate befalling Inglethorpe's 25-yard free kick gathered by Shimell at the other end.

Wes O'Connor then picked up from Syrett's mistake but he fired a yard too high from outside the Tanners' box.

The deadlock was broken in the 83rd minute when the referee penalised the Tanners for a handball offence a yard outside the area and O'Connor skilfully curved the ball around the wall and beyond the dive of keeper Gray.

Almost immediately, Banstead luckily survived a hectic "ping-pong" style goalmouth scramble with one effort hitting the post, two follow up attempts blocked on the line and Shimell miraculously clawing the ball out at the fourth attempt.

But the Tanners deservedly equalised in the 90th minute when Beer's volley flew past Shimell to set up wild celebrations for the scorer and Tanners supporters in the stand.

Banstead: Shimell, Shaw, Langford, Leahy, Finnie, Beard, Knight, O'Connor, Whelan (Cooper 69 mins), George (Richards 87 mins), Moore. Substitute not used: Wise.

December 28, 2001 11:00