Tooting & Mitcham boss Craig Tanner held his hand up to acknowledge the quality of the Leatherhead goal that dumped them out of the FA Cup.
Paul Semaluka’s lob was the only goal in a 1-0 defeat at Fetcham Grove on Saturday, leaving the Terrors looking for revenge when the sides meet again this weekend in Ryman Division One South.
He said: “We started really well against Leatherhead and had a couple of chances to take the lead.
“Then we conceded a great goal, you have to sometimes just hold your hand up and say ‘what a brilliant goal’ – their lad lobbed our keeper from about 30 yards.
“It would have been nice to have a run in the cup, but now we need to concentrate on the league.”
Tanner is confident that the future for the Terrors is bright, and singled out Elliot Simpson for high praise after his showing at Leatherhead.
He is also hopeful of having Frankie Sawyer back in the side for this weekend, while Francis Quarm (foot) and Harry Knock (knee) are unlikely to feature.
Tanner said: “Elliot [Simpson] came on at Leatherhead and bossed the midfield, and we had good debuts from Craig [Watkins] and Bashiru [Alimi], so there are positives to take from the game.
“It will be a little odd playing Leatherhead again this weekend. We know each other’s style, strengths and weaknesses, so I imagine it will be a very tight game.”
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