Sunday 30th July 2006
Club Sponsor Opportunity 2006/07

The club are giving the chance to one individual or company based in Epsom & Ewell to become the club sponsor for this season to be displayed on the shirts of all the clubs teams from the first team through to the colts section under 7's. The draw will take place at the end of August and will be limited to the first 100 tickets. More details can be found in the following literature

Saturday 29th July 2006
Epsom & Ewell beat Three Bridges in encounter between firsts

Epsom & Ewell's first team beat their opposite numbers from Three Bridges by two goal to one at a sun soaked Furnace Green during the early afternoon. Epsom & Ewell started slowly on a baking afternoon in mid-Sussex but managed to create an early opportunity on 4 minutes when Simon Hatton was played in by Dale Marvell, his shot being comfortably saved by the Three Bridges keeper. Epsom & Ewell fell a goal behind on 32 minutes when the ball was played too short into Peter Solomon playing as a centre half at the time, the ball being nicked away in the middle of the Epsom area by a Three Bridges player as Solomon was about to bring the ball under control with his second touch, the Three Bridges player racing away into the box and sliding the ball home past Tim Farrington who had just come on to replace Albert Ademi (hamstring pull). Epsom & Ewell managed to draw level quickly on 36 minutes, Jamie Buckley's corner had been punched clear by the Three Bridges keeper, Simon Taylor managing to pick up the ball and chip the ball back into the edge of the box finding Peter Solomon managing to bring the ball down, just as Solomon was teeing up to have a shot, Simon Hatton pounced with volley that found the back of the net.

The second half saw Epsom & Ewell on top with the Epsom & Ewell defence limiting Three Bridges to long range shots at Tim Farrington in the Epsom & Ewell goal. Mark Solomon pushing on managed to collect the ball on 61 minutes, his shot from 25 yards out ending up wide of the post. Epsom & Ewell's winner came on 65 minutes when the ball was threaded down the right wing to Andy Amfo-Brobbey - his cross seeing a Three Bridges defender head the ball back upfield straight to Epsom midfielder Neil Talling to volley the ball into the corner of the net from 30 yards out. Ed Palmer managed to get the better of his Three Bridges marker to pick up a Jamie Buckley pass on 67 minutes, but his shot drifted away from the far post. The appearance of Phillip N'gbale for the last quarter an hour saw Three Bridges being caused trouble - N'gbale picking up a pass by Danny Barnes on 77 minutes, the shot from just inside the box curling just wide of the upright. Dale Marvell on 79 minutes saw his free-kick from just over 25 yards out go inches over the crossbar.

After the match, Assistant manager Peter Augustine said "I feel that we are starting to get somewhere with the team & we are now starting to look more like a unit. We are getting towards 40% of our target and it is definitely going in the right direction. I think the players are enjoying it and I certainly am enjoying it"

Three Bridges win Reserves battle

Three Bridges won the Reserve team battle between the two clubs 2-0 in the early evening sunshine at Furnace Green. Epsom & Ewell playing their first match together looked from the start that they had been playing together for a number of years but the E's could have been a goal down inside three minutes when Three Bridges managed to get the ball into the Epsom & Ewell box but two excellent saves by Tim Farrington prevented the E's from going a goal down. A Julian Van Gelder corner on 19 minutes saw the Three Bridges keeper punch the ball away from Rob Solomon's head. Epsom & Ewell were cursing their luck even further on 23 minutes, the ball being rolled into Daniel Ike for what looked like a simple side foot to open the scoring from 6 yards out, the Three Bridges keeper somehow managing to stick out his leg diverting the ball somehow over his own bar. Three Bridges took the lead on 41 minutes, Epsom & Ewell's players trying to over impress failed to clear the ball, the ball being teed up nicely for a shot into the corner of the net from just inside the box past the helpless Tim Farrington.

Epsom & Ewell from the start of the second half started to play less like a team and more like individuals try to impress the managers and they only started to play like a team again once Three Bridges had gone 2-0 up. The referee awarding Three Bridges a penalty on 65 minutes, adjudging that Steve Savage had fouled a Three Bridges player in the box, the penalty was excellently put away with Tim Farrington despite guessing the right way was unable to get anything on the ball. With Epsom & Ewell two goals down the team started to relax and started to look like a unit, the opportunities then started to come for the E's, Daniel Davies heading the ball clear in his own area to set up an Epsom & Ewell attack that saw him race up the field and force a save out of the Three Bridges keeper at the other end on 69 minutes. Epsom & Ewell did manage to get the ball in the back of the net on 79 minutes when Ben Radford flicked the ball home past the Three Bridges keeper but the referee adjudged that Radford had fouled both of the defenders.

Wednesday 26th July 2006
Match photos now on-line

Photos taken at the match against Croydon last night are now on the website - click on first XI tab above, then click on photo galleries and then click on the Croydon tab.

Three Bridges away on Saturday

The two pre-season friendlies arranged for this Saturday will both take place at Furnace Green Recreation Ground, off Ashburnham Road, Three Bridges. Maps will be provided at training tomorrow night.

Tuesday 25th July 2006
Epsom & Ewell open with victory against Croydon

Epsom & Ewell gained a good 4-2 win at home to Croydon with manager Paul Pritchard using a twenty one man squad in the opening pre-season friendly.

Epsom & Ewell started the match with many of the first team players that have stayed from last year's squad but it was Croydon that were first to have an opportunity when Epsom keeper Albert Ademi lost control of the ball on the edge of the box on 6 minutes whilst trying to play the ball out through the defence, the ball being chipped into the edge of the six yard box for an unmarked Croydon player to somehow manage to steer his header wide of the post when it looked easier to score. Epsom & Ewell took control the match after about ten minutes and looked the much fitter and livelier side thanks to the efforts of fitness coach Gareth Davies during pre-season, Epsom & Ewell taking the lead on 11 minutes when Peter Solomon's cross was collected by Simon Hatton just outside the Croydon box before managing to beat one defender and on the volley hit a shot from just inside the box that went away from former E's reserve keeper Stuart Robbins. Epsom & Ewell doubled the lead on 13 minutes when a direct ball into the Croydon box saw a player called Desmond playing up front with Simon Hatton get a piece of the ball at the same time as colliding with Stuart Robbins (see picture left) trying to collect the ball above the E's player's head, the loose ball falling to Simon Hatton to volley home his second in two minutes. Epsom & Ewell wasted no time in notching a third on 15 minutes, Phillip N'gbale's hard work down the left wing forcing a corner, Dale Marvell's corner seeing a flick on at the front post by Tim Hurren and Charlie Pritchard standing unmarked at the back post managed to stick out his foot to steer the ball home from 4 yards out. Croydon were handed a goal on 25 minutes when Albert Ademi came sliding out of his box trying to intercept a Croydon player's run down the right wing but missed the ball allowing the Croydon player to cross for the ball to be tapped home from 6 yards out by the player that missed after 6 minutes. Epsom & Ewell could have been further ahead before the break, Jamie Buckley's free-kick on 39 minutes seeing Peter Solomon rise above two Croydon players to head the ball at goal but Stuart Robbins managed to make a comfortable save to his left.

Paul Pritchard for the second half replaced all ten outfield players, a number of the players given a run out for the second half were reserve team regulars last season but who were fringe players with the first team. Epsom & Ewell made the worst possible start to the half, from the kick-off Epsom & Ewell conceding a corner kick which was taken quickly, the ball floated into the box for a Croydon player to steer the ball home on the far post. Croydon could of drawn level on 51 minutes when a direct ball straight down the middle of the park saw Croydon in for a one on one against Ademi but a last ditch tackle inside the box by a new E's player saw the ball steered over the Epsom crossbar. Epsom & Ewell re-imposed the two goal cushion on 55 minutes when the ball was played out of defence by Rob Lovesey, the ball being knocked through the Croydon defence by Andy Amfo-Brobbey into John Oppong-Baah for a one on one against the replacement Croydon keeper, Oppong-Baah noticing the support of Ed Palmer rolled the ball into the path of Palmer to curl the ball into the top corner of the net from 10 yards out with his left foot. Sam Bulbeck managed to pick up a through ball on 73 minutes that saw the Croydon keeper come racing of his line, Bulbeck chipping the ball over the keeper but the ball clipped the top of the crossbar. Phillip N'gbale who had come back on to replace Ed Palmer set up Andy Amfo-Brobbey on 80 minutes with a chance that forced the Croydon keeper to make a full length diving save to his left. Croydon in the final couple of minutes forced Albert Ademi to make a save high to his right from a header 10 yards out. After the match manager Paul Pritchard commented "Promising Performance"

Youth players required

Epsom & Ewell Youth manager Steve Butt is currently still looking for two players to finish off his squad for this year's campaign in the Southern Youth League.

Steve said last night "The trials have been a success and we have managed to fill the majority of positions for the Youth squad but at the present moment I am keen to find a goalkeeper and another striker through advertisements on the club's website and in the local papers. We started out at the beginning of this month with three 'keepers, unfortunately they are all now apparently training with other clubs - it would be nice to get a keeper in before next week's friendlies but if I am unable I will ask Neal and Paul if I could borrow either of last year's youth keepers. I feel that we are also currently a striker short at present but if we are unable to find one this will not be a major problem but will just mean that we are a bit light in the forwards department" 

Friday 21st July 2006
Croydon Athletic match postponed

The first team's pre-season friendly against Croydon Athletic on the pitches outside their Mayfields ground arranged for Saturday has been postponed. Despite assurances being given by Croydon Athletic, we asked for the game to be postponed as we felt that it could be too risky injury wise to play on the surface following a number of other local teams that played last weekend saw numerous players picking up foot, knee and hamstring injuries on rock hard pitches.

Combined Counties fixtures
The Combined Counties have released the fixtures for the 2006-07 season which are now available on the first team's 2006-07 fixtures and results pages. Epsom & Ewell start at home to Reading Town on 12th August with away trips following to Chipstead (15th), Bedfont (19th), then home to Raynes Park Vale (22nd) and Egham Town (26th) before a short away trip to face Chessington & Hook United at Chalky Lane on Bank Holiday Monday morning. Boxing Day (away) & Easter Monday (home) fixtures are against Banstead Athletic with the season scheduled to conclude on Saturday 27th April at home to Colliers Wood United.

Tuesday 18th July 2006
Publications

The club have pleasure in announcing two new publications. The first document is a club mission statement that shows the aims and mission of the club and the way we will achieve these aims and mission. The second document is the club's Child Protection Policy, the FA last August made it mandatory for all professional and semi-professional clubs to appoint a Child Protection Officer, Robert Oakes was appointed the club's Child Welfare Officer in January this year and has led the way in the formulation of the club's Child Welfare Policy document. Both documents are available to be downloaded in PDF format by clicking the links below.

Epsom & Ewell Youth name

The club have been informed by the Surrey FA that the names that were published last month that we were going to be named are unacceptable for administrative purposes, therefore Epsom & Ewell Youth (SYL) FC will once again be named Epsom & Ewell Youth, and Epsom & Ewell Youth FC will now be called Epsom & Ewell Colts FC.

Youth Friendly

Epsom & Ewell's youth side have had another pre-season friendly arranged today when Chipstead will host us in another match that is repeated from last season on Thursday 17th August 2006 at Rickman Hill Recreation Ground, Woodmansterne, Surrey, Kick-off 6:45pm.

Tuesday 11th July 2006
Additional Friendly

Epsom & Ewell have added an additional friendly for the Youth team at home to Carshalton Athletic on Wednesday 02nd August 2006 (kick-off 7:30pm). Youth team manager Steve Butt during training tonight commented "They [Carshalton] won the Southern Youth League North Division last season and will be an excellent test for our youth team". The youth trials for the second year running have been a success with over forty players turning up to the open trials last week and the majority of them still returning tonight.

Saturday 08th July 2006
Combined Counties League Cup Draw

The Combined Counties League made the draw for the first two rounds of the League cup last night. The league cup is being sponsored by EL Records

Epsom & Ewell in the first round were one on twenty one sides that received a bye. In the second round we will be away to first division CB Hounslow Borough who have joined the Combined Counties League from the Middlesex County League Premier Division where they finished second to Battersea Ironsiders last season. CB Hounslow United play at Osterley Sports Club, Tentelow Lane, Osterley, Middlesex, and anybody interested the CB reportedly stands for Carter Bank.
 

Friday 07th July 2006
FA Competition draws

FA Cup
Extra-Preliminary Round - Saturday 19th August 2006 - Henley Town v Epsom & Ewell (FA removed Henley - Epsom & Ewell awarded walkover)
Preliminary Round - Saturday 02nd September 2006 - Epsom & Ewell v Leatherhead

FA Vase
1st Qualifying Round - Saturday 09th September 2006 - Bye
2nd Qualifying Round - Saturday 23rd September 2006 - Epsom & Ewell v Sevenoaks Town

FA Youth Cup
Preliminary Round - w/c 11th September 2006 - Bye
1st Qualifying Round - w/c 25th September 2006 - Epsom & Ewell v Dover Athletic or Dartford

The FA released the draws for the early rounds of this year's FA competitions this morning. In the FA Cup, Epsom & Ewell were drawn out of the bowl in the Extra-Preliminary Round away at Henley Town but shortly after the draw, it was announced that the FA had removed Henley Town from the competition and the tie had been awarded to Epsom & Ewell. Epsom & Ewell therefore have progressed to the Preliminary Round for a home tie against Leatherhead on Saturday 02nd September 2006. Epsom & Ewell will see the return of former Epsom player Chris Kelly who is currently the Tanners commercial manager - Chris started his playing career with the E's back in the late 1960's before moving on to the Tanners where he famously got the nickname of the "Leatherhead Lip".

Epsom & Ewell in the FA Vase received a bye through the 1st Qualifying Round, and will meet Sevenoaks Town at Merland Rise in the Second Qualifying Round on Saturday 23rd September  2006.   The youth team also received a bye through the Preliminary Round of the FA Youth Cup and will meet either Dover Athletic or Dartford at Merland Rise on Wednesday 27th September 2006.

Friendly news

The club are currently still trying to arrange one more first team friendly on either 05th or 08th August and a couple more reserve and youth team friendlies.

The two away friendly dates that have already been announced will both not be played on the opposition's own grounds we have been informed - the match against Croydon Athletic will be played on the next door playing fields and the away matches against Three Bridges will be played at a venue near Three Bridges ground - more details will be posted when we receive the details.

Monday 03rd July 2006
Constitutions

Combined Counties
The provisional constitution of the Combined Counties League is as follows (dependent on Westfield's appeal hearing at the Football Association for them to be allowed to ground share at Woking's Kingfield Stadium to preserve their Premier Division status)

Premier Division (22 teams)
Ash United, Banstead Athletic, Bedfont, Bedfont Green, Bookham, Camberley Town, Chertsey Town, Chessington and Hook United, Chipstead, Cobham, Colliers Wood United, Cove, Dorking, Egham Town, Epsom and Ewell, Guildford City (formerly Guildford United), Merstham, North Greenford United, Raynes Park Vale, Reading Town, Sandhurst Town, Wembley

Division One (21 teams)
CB Hounslow United, Chobham, Coney Hall, Coulsdon Town (formerly Netherne), Crescent Rovers, Farleigh Rovers, Farnham Town, Feltham, Frimley Green, Hanworth Villa, Hartley Wintney, Horley Town, Merrow, Salfords (formerly Monotype), Sheerwater, South Park, Staines Lammas, Tongham, Warlingham, Westfield, Worcester Park

Kingsmeadow were not elected into membership due to concerns raised over fixtures at their proposed home ground of Kingsmeadow Athletics Stadium clashing with AFC Wimbledon and Kingstonian matches at the next door Kingsmeadow Stadium.

Suburban League
South Division (16 teams)
AFC Wimbledon, Burgess Hill Town, Camberley Town, Chipstead, East Grinstead Town, Epsom and Ewell, Godalming Town, Haywards Heath Town, Horley Town, Lewes, Merstham, Molesey, Raynes Park Vale, Tonbridge Angels, Tooting and Mitcham United, Walton Casuals.

Corinthian Casuals, Eastleigh and Three Bridges have been promoted to Premier Division

Bedfont and Mole Valley Predators move to non-playing members, Cove switch to West Division.

New teams in a division are shown in bold

Pre-season Friendlies (update)

Further friendlies as follows have now been arranged in addition to the original two against Croydon. On Saturday 22nd July the first team open their pre-season campaign away at Mayfields against Croydon Athletic. We then face Croydon in the Tuesday night, then a double header of matches sees our first team and reserves play at Jubilee Walk against Three Bridges on Saturday 29th July (the times on the front page are provisional at the moment). We then welcome Ruislip Manor who we use to play in Ryman League Division 3 to Merland Rise on Tuesday 01st August for their match against the first team. The youth are home on 7th August to Croydon as originally arranged

Saturday 01st July 2006
New Season - New League - New Look!

As you might have noticed the website has had a revamp. Many people would agree that this website was starting to look dated after three years since the last change and now was the time to change the look, especially with the club joining a new league and gaining a youth section. You may notice that the forum that was suppose to be replaced is still here, but over the next couple of weeks after testing has been completed the forum link above will re-pointed to the new forum.

The website is now interactive with the main menu headings above appearing on each page, to go to a particular page click on one of the section headings. Documents and links to other pages are now accessible on each page by pressing the blue button as below which should take you to the next page. News pages will now be archived on a monthly rather than season by season basis. As you go through the website you may notice that some pages are either blank or are a template is being shown with funny messages such as the pen pics pages in each team section, these will be updated in due course when more information is known - over the next month tweaks and more features will be added. If you have any comments or suggestions about something you wish to see on the website please do not hesitate to contact Rob.

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