A solitary header by Ibrahim Olutade was enough to give Leatherhead their first 3 points of the season.

In a game of few clear-cut chances, it was the predatory instincts of Olutade and some solid defending by the Tanners that settled the game.

With Leatherhead without the suspended Tommy Wood, Tanners boss, Nikki Bull started with Olutade and Eddie Dsane up top in a four-four-two formation.

It was Leatherhead who took the lead in the thirteenth minute thanks to the on-loan Maidstone United striker’s header from point blank range.
Bowers & Pitsea’s keeper, Callum Chafer , could only push Travis Gregory’s initial effort as far as Olutade who was on hand to nod home.

The rest of the first half saw Travis Gregory show his class connecting with crosses from Callum Driver and Izunna Ikebausi and flashing a shot wide from the edge of the area and looking like the most likely source for a second goal.

On the stroke of half-time, Bowers & Pitsea should have been level when Lewis Manor missed a free header in the six yard box with the Tanners defence no where to be seen.

As with most of the season, Leatherhead started the second half slowly and switched off after from a corner from Bowers. The Tanners had Zaki Ouluah to thank for their lead with the keeper making a smart save from Kenzer Lee’s header.

The second half failed to produce any real moments of quality and a combination of poor Bowers & Pitsea play in the final third and superb defending from Driver and Jerry Nnamani ensured The Tanners secured all three points.

Following the match, Nikki Bull said; “On the pitch, we’ve not been good enough this season and the biggest reason is that I’ve not been good enough.

"To be honest, I’ve allowed stuff off the pitch to effect me and I’ve not been happy the last few weeks. The two-week break we’ve had has been a godsend and it’s given us time to reflect and refocus.”

“Moving forward now we have that first win on the board and that’s always the hardest one to get. I’ve got a good group of players and I’m sure we’ll start to pick up points now.”

Next Saturday sees Leatherhead take on Cheshunt FC at Fetcham Grove.