October usually sees pitches soften and hats and scarves out of storage but this October has been more like August with sun-drenched terraces and dry, dusty pitches. October also traditionally sees the start of the FA Trophy, (the non league FA Cup) and it was the Trophy game that provided the highlight of an otherwise disappointing month.

Things got underway with three straight league defeats albeit two of them at home to league favourites Bognor Regis Town (0-4) and Whitehawk (0-3). The third defeat was away to Ramsgate, a team that we always seem to struggle against at their ground, and so it was again, losing 1-2. So Leafe went into the FA Trophy game against North Greenford in need of a confidence boost. And a confidence boost is what it provided although the goalless first half gave no clues as to what drama would unfold. The second half ended up being one of the most entertaining 45 mins most Church Road regulars could remember. North Greenford took the game to Leafe and opened up a 3-1 lead by the 76th minute and whilst most thought it was game over, the Leafe players didn't. Within five minutes it was level pegging at 3-3 with goals from Gnamore and Simpson. Then in the final minutes the ball struck a Greenford player's arm in the area and Simpson thumped home the penalty to complete his hat trick, and Whyteleafe's remarkable comeback. A stunning 4-3 win!

The confidence gained from that was taken into the next league game when a bumper crowd watched a hard fought 1-1 draw with Maidstone. In truth the visitors dominated but failure to convert chances gifted Leafe the point.

November sees visits from Sittingbourne on the 12th and Chipstead on the 26th.

For more information about Whyteleafe FC visit www.theleafe.co.uk