Lancaster City v Leatherhead FA Trophy 2nd round 1978-79

With everyone hoping for an exciting Trophy draw, I would like to recall a match from the 1978-79 season. The Dollies were drawn at home in the second round to Leatherhead who had been beaten in the 1978 final by Altrincham. In 1975, they had reached the 4th round of the FA Cup before being beaten 3-2 by first division Leicester City. Chris Kelly, their centre-forward, gained some notoriety with his outspoken comments and became known as 'the Leatherhead Lip.' I am unsure if he played in this game as he did have a spell with Millwall. There was a decent crowd on the Axe and I seem to recall that Keith Brindle hit the bar with a header at the West Road End. The match finished 0-0 and Leatherhead won the replay 4-1.

I was there! I can't remember much about it though....except that I was young enough to be "not allowed to go" to the reply by my parents

That was round about the time I started watching City, maybe a couple of seasons earlier, but I can't remember being at that one. I remember Kelly's exploits for Leatherhead in the FA Cup v Leicester a few years before that when they were 2-0 up and lost 3-2 I think. Apparently he stopped playing for them in 1978 so he may have played. Probably went to the 0-0 but the memories are fading fast i'm afraid.

I may be imagining this one, but I seem to recall a Trophy game at home to Enfield. Think we lost something like 3-2. Anyone else remember? I think it's the furthest we've reached.

I remember playing Enfield..I think! Can't remember much about it ( obviously!)

Chris Kelly did indeed play, and City hit the woodwork twice. It was a real tale of "if only...." because we were never likely to prevail after a long midweek journey to the Deep South.
The Enfield game was three years earlier, in 1976. I taught myself to ride a motor scooter and set off from Co. Durham. It was probably fortunate that fog forced me to turn back after about ten miles; otherwise I would probably still be stranded by a roadside somewhere.

Did we not also Play Wigan Athletic in the same round as Enfield we were leading 1-0 at Half time and ended up losing 6-1

cityuntilidie wrote:Did we not also Play Wigan Athletic in the same round as Enfield we were leading 1-0 at Half time and ended up losing 6-1

Dave Towers would be the man to ask about that, Steve, as he has all the statistics from that era. I recall a League match from 1977/8 involving a similar scenario. The return game, a few weeks later, was a carbon copy of the previous season, with City 2-0 down at the interval, and Ian Hope running amok after half time, setting up a John Darley header for 2-1, then being brought down as he cut in along the bye-line, for the penalty equaliser. Dave Towers will know who scored from the spot--maybe Hopey himself?

I'll bet you a shilling it was Keith Brindle.