Whyteleafe 0 Tooting & Mitcham Utd 2

Ryman League Division 1 South
Saturday 8th March 2008

Tooting took all three points in this evenly contested local derby, courtesy of two soft goals which makes their play off place more secure and with Whyteleafe probably having to settle for a mid table position.

The visitors took an early lead when they won a free kick midway inside 'Leafe's half in the 7th minute. The ball was floated into the box and with Rob Tolfrey calling for the ball, no defender made a challenge allowing the smallest player on the pitch, Allan McLeod, to run into the box unchallenged, reaching the ball before Tolfrey to head it into the unguarded net.

In the 15th minute, following good work down the right by Daniel Platel, a Joel Greaves header was saved by Dave King. Four minutes later Greaves was through into the Tooting box, but King did well to save his effort with his feet.

Shortly afterward minutes later, Alhajie Jabbie was brought down just outside the box. Chris O'Flaherty took the free kick, striking it just wide of the post. Four minutes later Greaves tried his luck from 25 yards, but it was a comfortable save for king.

Tooting had a good chance to extend their lead in the 39th minute when the lively Jon Henry-Hayden broke clear but Tolfrey made a good save to deny him.

Tooting scored there second early in the second half when they were awarded a free kick just inside the 'Leafe half. Colin Hartburn took the kick and it somehow bounced in the area and drifted into the Whyteleafe net without anyone else getting a touch.

Former 'Leafe defender Dean Hamlin was cautioned for dissent in the 53rd minute and was very lucky to stay on the pitch shortly afterwards when he threw the ball away. With referee Meilack going to his top pocket for another card, he quickly ran to retrieve the ball and had a narrow escape.

A minute later Jabbie beat two defenders as he ran into the box, but his shot was blocked. Tooting's defence held firm as Whyteleafe had their best spell of the game. Sam Clayton beat two defenders before seeing his shot blocked. The ball fell to Adam Broomhead who shot wide.

A minute later another shot from Broomhead brought about penalty claims but the referee decided it was ball to hand as it struck the defender. Then a 25 yard shot from Clayton took a deflection, but was well read by King who made the save.

Clayton tried another 25 yarder in the 72nd minute but this went wide. Henry-Hayden had a great chance to extend Tooting's lead in the 77th minute, but his effort struck the post and bounced away to safety. By now the game was safe for the visitors as they comfortably saw out the closing minutes and consolidated their play off place.

Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Boxall, Jabbie, Reeve, Broomhead, MacLean (Riley 78), Platel (Rivers), Smith, Greaves (Méité 70), Clayton, O'Flaherty.