Leatherhead finished their pre-season campaign with a good win over last years Ryman League strugglers, Godalming.

In the equivalent league fixture last year, the Tanners were beaten by a late winner after taking a first half lead - this time the roles were reversed.

On a foul, wet, windy evening, it was clear that conditions would play a part. The ball skidded off a wet surface and it was difficult for either side to play any flowing football but the Tanners did enough to hold a fit and robust Godalming side.

With Jo Sheerin sidelined, Scott Forrester started alongside Julian Thompson and Billy Marshall in attack. Neil Baker continued in the heart of the defence as skipper with Lynvall Duncan and Iain Hendry.

Leatherhead had the best of the first half pinning their hosts back for long periods of time. Although it was not pretty football, the midfield - in which Stewart Holmes put in his usual committed display, were able to control large parts of the game and provide a series of testing balls to the front three.

The Tanners did put the ball in the back of the net after 30 minutes but Julian Thompson's low, deflected shot was ruled as offside.

The second half saw the home side start the more lively and pressing Leatherhead more effectively than they had in the first. With the Tanners taking time to adjust to Dave Harlow's substitutions, Godalming drew level just 10 minutes after the re-start. A corner on the right saw the ball evade substitute goalkeeper Andy Symes. Whether or not a Godalming forward touched the ball was irrelevant it skidded into the net with a bemused Tanners defence looking on.

Leatherhead stepped up a gear as the substitutes found their feet and it was one of them - Jamie Reid - who scored the best goal of this and many other games.

A signature Leatherhead passing move involving Scott Marshall and Julian Thompson put Thompson away on the right. His burst of speed took him past the labouring defender and his cross, delivered on a flat out run, was met superbly by Reid's flying header.

With the opening game of the season looming and a niggling heel injury starting to trouble him Thompson was replaced by Jamie Beer and the Tanners continued to dominate. Godalming did have their moment. Andy Symes atoned for his earlier slip when he blocked a low cross cum shop well.

Leatherhead could have extended their lead with just ten minutes to go. Scott Forrester was comprehensively mugged by a Godalming defender and his cleverly taken low free kick evaded the wall only to see the goalkeeper tip the ball away on to a post and over for a corner.

A closing tactical ploy saw manager Dave Harlow appear for a rare appearance in place of Stewart Holmes. With the game coming to a close, Harlow made his usual probing passes tell and even fitted in a few tackckles to the delight and surprise of the travelling fans.

Leatherhead now face Met Police at the Grove on Saturday at the start of their latest Ryman League campaign.

Team McCarthy, Hendry, Gray, Duncan, Baker, Holmes, Bennetts, Bolger, Thompson, Forrester, Marshall Subs used Symes (McCarthy), Kunle (Marshall), Reid (Marshall),Beer (Thompson), Harper (Duncan), Harlow (Holmes)