Leatherhead booked themselves a home FA Cup tie against Carshalton Athletic after a hard-earned 1-0 preliminary round win against Tooting & Mitcham United.
Paul Semakula broke the deadlock for the hosts with a stunning first half strike, lobbing Terrors keeper Paul Smith from the edge of the box.
The visitors’ had the best chances in the first half but they came up against a resolute Tanners defence who have yet to concede a goal at Fetcham Grove this season.
Tooting’s Ryan Palmer made a telling run down the right after three minutes, finding Craig Watkins with a well-directed pass.
But the young striker’s shot was saved by Leatherhead keeper Deren Ibrahim, diving low to his right.
Watkins was the Terrors’ danger man again after 17 minutes, getting beyond Jerry Nnamani before the young Leatherhead centre back recovered possession to make a well timed interception.
Tanners took the lead after 26 minutes with a breakaway from the half way line. Tom Bradbrook fed the ball down the middle and Semakula cleverly drew Smith off his line before coolly looping a shot over the keeper’s head to find the top corner.
Leatherhead created several opportunities to build on their lead in the second half. Kev Terry turned a ball back from the by-line for Bradbrook, who forced Smith to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Darren Smith found himself through on goal after 49 minutes but his low effort was well blocked by the Tooting keeper.
The visitor’s best chance came on the hour mark as a long range effort from TJ Nkoma took a deflection before being gathered by Ibrahim.
Leatherhead continued searching for a decisive second goal. A Matt Smart free kick was met in the box by Jamie Coyle, but the centre back’s powerful header went straight to Smith.
Jake Hobbs injected some additional pace for Tanners following his second half introduction. Hobbs drilled in a cross from the right which Kev Terry sent narrowly wide.
Terry then picked out Smart after 76 minutes, but the Leatherhead midfielder smashed his low shot wide of the post.
Tussle: Tanners Liam Pestle and Terrors Elliot Simpson
Tumble: Sol Pinnock could not find a way past the Tanners defence
Hold off: Nathan Gordon holds off the attentions of Jerry Nnamami
Blank: TJ Nkoma scored a hat-trick last weekend, but nothing this time round
Save: Tooting's Paul Smith pulls off a save from the advancing Leatherhead attack
Up and at them: Striker and keeper up for the ball
Safe hands: Tooting's Paul Smith
Concentration: Tom Parkinson moves possession forward for the Tanners
Out of the cup: Despite Jordan Williams' best efforts, Tooting's FA Cup dream is over
Heads up: Leatherhead's Tom Bradbrook
Tackled: Matt Smart stops Sol Pinnock in his tracks
None shall pass: Nathan Gordon cannot get past Adam Burchell
Odd: Tanners keeper Deren Ibrahim has his shorts tugged down by a 'fan'....
...picks up a yellow card for this troubles
Get in: Leatherhead celebrate a win in the FA Cup
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