Leatherhead edged out local rivals Dorking Wanderers 3-2 in a thrilling International Club Friendly at Fetcham Grove on 11 July 2026. The match lived up to its derby billing, with five goals, end-to-end action, and a dramatic late winner that delighted the home supporters.

Fast Start from Leatherhead

Leatherhead started with intensity and took the lead inside five minutes. A rapid counter‑attack ended with striker Luke Holness firing past the Dorking goalkeeper from a tight angle. Dorking, playing a division above Leatherhead in the National League, responded well and equalised in the 20th minute. Midfielder James McShane curled a free kick over the wall and into the top corner.

Leatherhead regained the lead before half-time through a powerful header from central defender Sam Williams following a corner. The home side went into the break 2-1 up, but Dorking had shown enough to suggest they would fight back.

Second Half Rollercoaster

Dorking came out strongly after the restart and controlled the opening 15 minutes. Their pressure paid off in the 58th minute when striker Niall McManus turned sharply in the box and rifled a shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.

With the game finely balanced, Leatherhead showed their resilience. Manager Nikki Bull introduced fresh legs from the bench, and it was substitute George Flanagan who proved decisive. In the 82nd minute, he collected a loose ball on the edge of the area, drove forward, and unleashed a low drive that beat the Dorking keeper at his near post. Leatherhead held on through four minutes of stoppage time to secure the victory.

Derby Atmosphere and Significance

The match drew a crowd of around 450, with both sets of fans making their voices heard. Leatherhead's win was seen as a statement of intent ahead of the new Isthmian League Premier Division season, while Dorking manager Marc White will use the friendly to identify areas for improvement as his side prepares for National League South.

Match Statistics

• Possession: Leatherhead 46% – Dorking 54%
• Shots on target: Leatherhead 6 – Dorking 5
• Yellow cards: Leatherhead 1 – Dorking 2

Leatherhead's character and finishing quality made the difference on the night, offering plenty of optimism for the months ahead.