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Friday 09th May 2008 The reserves brought to a close the 2007-08 season for Epsom & Ewell with a 2-0 defeat at home to Salisbury City playing their final Suburban League game as they are moving to the Pontins League next season - the result meaning they have managed to go the whole league season undefeated. The visitors bringing up from Wiltshire the same side that played against the E's back at the start of September, the E's despite having over 50 players registered with the club could only manage to get 13 available players to choose from, but the performance by the team was very valiant one as the visitors were tied down to only three opportunities during the game, the opening goal occurring on 25 minutes when a ball was spread out to the left wing, the cross in finding a Salisbury player that the home defence failed to close down allowing him to dummy Paul Borg before finishing past the E's keeper. Paul Borg pulled off a flying save to his left on 55 minutes to parry a shot from 25 yards out around the post and Salisbury were gifted a second on 67 minutes, Durmus Karapinar dwelling seconds too long on the ball in defence, a visitor player getting his boot to the ball to knock the ball into the path of one of his team mates, although a helpless Paul Borg came out to try to smoother the ball as it came into the box, the visitors striker managed to get enough on the ball to get it past Borg allowing the ball to trick home. The E's only real chance occurred on 72 minutes, Kyle Hough managing to get his body in the way of a clearance, his shot from 10 yards out dribbling wide of the far post. Wednesday 07th May 2008 Epsom & Ewell Reserves managed to win 1-0 at home to Godalming Town. A Robbie Burns effort on 20 minutes being blocked by a Godalming defender on the edge of the six yard box. Dan Barham's hard work on the right wing saw him manage to cut into the box and drill the ball across the face of the six yard box, Dan Bolton's effort from 8 yards out forcing a relatively comfortable save out of the Godalming keeper. Andy Amfo-Brobbey also set an opportunity up on 38 minutes as he cut in from the left wing but his cross was cut out by a Godalming defender. Epsom & Ewell should have been ahead on 51 minutes, Dan Bolton collecting a lay-off by Robbie Burns seeing the Epsom striker beat the visitors keeper but managed to roll the ball wide of the far post. The winner occurred on 57 minutes, Dan Barham's shot from just outside of the area being parried by the Godalming keeper, Dan Bolton managing to be first to the ball to get power on his header as it bounced back 8 yards out, although the Godalming keeper managed to get his glove to the ball he was only able to push it into the inside wall of the net. There was very few opportunities for either side in the remainder of the match, the only notable event seeing Godalming get the ball into the Epsom box on 74 minutes after poor Epsom defensive work allowing the visitors player to have a shot from 12 yards out that was blocked by joint effort of Paul Borg's legs and Ben Hayward's boot to block on the line, the ball falling back to the visitors player to have another go with a chip towards the top corner, Paul Borg managing to spring back to his feet and then pull off a save as good as the one at North Greenford in the league cup last September as he managed to reach behind himself with his left hand and somehow claw the ball around the upright for a Godalming corner. Monday 05th May 2008 The reserve team fixture between ourselves and Salisbury that was postponed last Wednesday will now be played this Friday evening. Both the Salisbury City and the Godalming Town game on Wednesday will kick-off at 7:45pm. The East Surrey Hospitals Intermediate Cup Semi-Final between our reserves and Merstham will have to be held over until pre-season as Banstead have informed us that the goal posts at Merland Rise will be coming down on 13th May, the only available free date left at Merland is the previous evening but as Merstham have Suburban League fixtures on both the 10th & 12th this is not practical. The Colts fun day took place today on the back pitch at Banstead Athletic - the fun day enjoyed by everyone in attendance is the culmination of the season that has seen the Under 8 C win their division and a number of other teams finish as Runner-up. Additionally the Under 11 A's on Saturday were defeated 5-0 by Samba Youth in their League Cup final at Banstead Athletic despite putting in a good performance, reaching any cup final is an excellent achievement for any team and the opposition can be classified as best in the county at Under 11 level as they have won as Samba Youth on Saturdays the Epsom & Ewell Youth League Premier Division & Epsom & Ewell Youth League Prem & Div 1 Cup, and the team play on Sundays under AFC Wimbledon where they have won the Surrey County FA Under 11 Cup, West Surrey Youth League Under 11 Premier Elite and West Surrey Youth League Under 11 Cup. May & June represents the down time for clubs, but it also signals the time for AGM's - Epsom & Ewell Colts F.C. have arranged their Annual General Meeting for next Monday 12th May 2008 8pm at the Epsom Common Working Man's Club. The Epsom & Ewell F.C. Annual General Meeting has been arranged for Sunday 22nd June 2008 in the Function Hall at Banstead Athletic F.C. with a start time of 8pm as well. As well as the club AGM's, there are league AGM's to be attended in early June where league constitutions and cup draws will be made and details will be posted here when known. A new site for Epsom & Ewell Colts F.C. has been unveiled which will be run alongside this website for the senior club and both sites will link back to each other. The address of the Colts website is http://www.epsomandewellcolts.co.uk. It is anticipated that the Colts fixtures and results will appear next year on the Colts site with the Colts section on this website being a general reference point for the Colts. End of Season Colts Trial
Dates Saturday 03rd May 2008 Epsom & Ewell squeezed past Horley Town in the East Surrey Hospitals Senior Cup this afternoon at the New Defence. Epsom & Ewell saw numerous changes to the starting line-up against Sandhurst Town last weekend, Paul Borg at a stag weekend being replaced in goal by Neil Harrowing, Ollie Dicks replacing unavailable Charlie West alongside Alex Rodrigues, Chad Heuston starting in place of Robbie Burns who was still suffering the after effects of his chest infection as he dropped to the bench. The first half was a rather drab affair as both sides cancelled each other out and the lack of effort by both sides to chase the balls down in the boiling sunshine made the game feel like an end of season mid-table clash. Oliver Dicks tried to follow Charlie West and Jordan Ellis in the E's previous two games by getting his name on the scoring charts with a 20th minute effort from 15 yards out that swerved away from the far post. Peter Solomon saw his effort from just outside the box beat the Horley keeper but go millimetres over the crossbar on 34 minutes. Horley thought that they had scored on 44 minutes when a corner into the Epsom box saw Anthony Jupp get a header in that found the side netting, a number of the home supporters celebrating a goal. The last chance for the first half fell to Adam Pero, Marcus Rose on an overlap getting around the Horley left wing back to get in a low probing cross, Pero sticking his right foot out to divert it towards goal but Horley keeper Simon Lockwood managed to be in the best place to make an easy save to his right. The second half continued with both sides looking edgy as the match seemed always likely to be decided by the single goal which eventually occurred on 62 minutes, Robbie Burns who had only been on the field for no longer than 2 minutes managed to hold the ball up and turn his marker, the ball being played by Burns into the path of Adam Pero who collected enabling him to round Simon Lockwood and execute a cool finish from 8 yards out. Robbie Burns was close to notching number thirty-one of the season when he went up with Horley keeper Simon Lockwood trying to get his head on to Kyle Hough cross more or less two yards out under the crossbar but the referee adjudged that Burns had fouled the keeper even though there was daylight between Burns and Lockwood at all times. Adam Pero brought down a Marcus Rose cross on the edge of the Horley box on 75 minutes, his resulting half-volley forcing Simon Lockwood into a save to tip the ball over his own bar for a corner. Neil Harrowing who had a relatively quiet afternoon except for plucking crosses and free-kicks out of the air was forced to make an excellent save on 81 minutes, Peter White receiving a lay-off and then managed to go between two Epsom players just inside the box allowing himself to fire in a shot that Neil Harrowing was forced to block with both boots going to his left. Epsom & Ewell comfortably seeing out the win in the final nine minutes as the home side were unable to break down the resolute defending by Epsom, the ball spending four of these nine minutes at the feet of Adam Pero in the corner flag areas. It is uncertain when the semi-final will be played as Lingfield and Redhill were suppose to play there match last Tuesday evening but the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and the match is still to be re-scheduled. Monday 28th April 2008 Epsom & Ewell's reserves lost 2-1 against Tonbridge Angels this evening at Merland Rise. Epsom & Ewell took the lead on 15 minutes, Alex Rodrigues playing in midfield due to a shortage of available fit players setting up Dan Barham with a through ball that he managed to bury from 15 yards out under the visitors keeper. Tonbridge drew level on 28 minutes, a corner finding a Tonbridge player with a run as he outsprung the home defence to glance the ball towards goal, the ball finding the net off the inside of the post and an Epsom defender on the post. The winner was scored by Tonbridge on 76 minutes, a shot from just inside the Epsom area managing to beat Ed Humphries at his near post. Saturday 26th April 2008 Epsom & Ewell were wondering how we finished the season at Sandhurst with a 3-2 defeat, although being another defeat against a team in the bottom half of the table, the E's played some really good football. Epsom & Ewell started the brighter and eventually created the first opportunity on 12 minutes, Adam Pero managing to fire a shot away that just wide of the far post. The opening goal occurred on 18 minutes, Adam Pero receiving the ball from Jordan Ellis allowing him to manage to turn his marker, the Epsom striker fired a shot at goal from the edge of the box that took a small deflection off the Sandhurst defender, Sandhurst keeper Andy Ewan getting his body behind the ball but the ball managed to bounce out of his gloves straight to Robbie Burns who made no mistake from 6 yards out to beat Ewan to chalk up his 30th goal of the season - the first time an Epsom player has done so since the 1984/85 season when both Tommy Tuite & Steve Hill both hit over 30 goals that season. The lead only lasted for a matter of minutes, the first attack by Sandhurst in the game saw no Epsom player able to get a solid tackle in as the ball found its way into the middle of the Epsom box, the home striker rolling the ball under Paul Borg from 8 yards out. The Pero/Burns partnership nearly worked again on 32 minutes, Pero bursting through three challenges after receiving a lay-off by Marcus Rose, the diagonal shot across the home box seeing the ball take a nasty kick off the dusty surface that saw Andy Ewan unable to do anything except parry the ball, Burns first to the ball saw his effort from 8 yards out trying to beat Ewan saved this time by the keeper to his right managing to complete the save. Sandhurst took the lead on 37 minutes a nicely worked move up the pitch saw two Epsom players get challenges in but each time the ball ran to another Sandhurst player, eventually the ball finding the Sandhurst forward managing to get past Alex Rodrigues and Ben Hayward's attempted challenges before rolling the ball diagonally home past Borg from 12 yards out. A Kyle Hough cross into the box on 42 minutes found Adam Pero rising above the home defenders but he was unable to keep his effort down as it sailed over the crossbar. The second half started slowly and felt much more like a pre-season friendly than an end of season dead rubber as the heat saw the ball being played around the park slowly. Sandhurst had the better of the opening opportunities, a cross into the far post seeing a header put wide on 52 minutes and a broken down Epsom move on 58 minutes allowing Sandhurst to put a long direct pass down the pitch that allowed the home player to collect for a one on one against Paul Borg who had raced out of his goal but the Sandhurst player trying to complete the move with a spectacular goal fired the ball from 20 yards out over the goal and clubhouse roof. Epsom & Ewell made the home side pay for the missed chances on 70 minutes, Matt Chapman's corner being flicked on by Charlie West finding unmarked right footed Jordan Ellis on the back post to make up for the miss on Tuesday night by volleying the ball home from 8 yards out with his left. The Sandhurst winner coming on 75 minutes, Charlie West allowing the ball to roll away from him and his tackle seeing his boot accidentally go over the top of the ball and connect with a home players' leg resulting in a free-kick just outside of the Epsom area that was drilled low, hitting the dusty area just outside the six yard box that allowed the ball to go through Paul Borg's gloves. Epsom & Ewell tried to get back on level terms but were unable to create and real threat in the final fifteen minutes. Tuesday 22nd April 2008 Seven days on from the abandonment due to the injury to Egham's Tom Martin, both teams were back at Merland Rise to battle for league points once again. Epsom & Ewell managing to end up drawing 2-2 but Epsom supporters were making comparisons with the ending to the Ryman League Division 1 South fixture at Whyteleafe in November 2002 as the match saw three injury time goals. Epsom & Ewell welcomed back from suspension Gary McLaughlin replacing Ross Shoefield. The first half for Epsom & Ewell was a drab affair as Egham had the majority of the chances forcing Paul Borg into two diving saves to his right off Jamie Thornby headers after 12 and 24 minutes. Epsom & Ewell were denied a penalty on 27 minutes when Robbie Burns turned his marker to receive a Kyle Hough pass but was then fouled from behind with what can only be described as a hug by Jack McKinlay, the referee waving Epsom appeals for penalties away. Egham were themselves denied a penalty on 38 minutes as the first half ended goal less. Epsom & Ewell stepped up gear in the second half as free flowing moves were seeing the home side get the ball into the Egham final third but the final efforts at goal were either high or wide. Egham Town should have taken the lead on 67 minutes a cross from the left wing seeing the Epsom defence only half clear the ball, Mark Postins header from 8 yards out flashing wide of the far post. Robbie Burns nearly opened the scoring on 74 minutes with a speculative cross from just inside the right side of the Egham box, the ball bouncing off the top of the crossbar and falling to Chad Heuston who was unable to control the ball as he manage to let the ball roll out for a goal kick. The luck seemed to be out for Epsom on 76 minutes, a deep cross into the Egham box by Matt Chapman seeing Robbie Burns and Chad Heuston both go for the same ball and sandwich Anthony Oaks, the referee whistling for a foul as Adam Pero unleashed a shot into the top corner from 12 yards out. The exertions for the first half an hour of the second half saw Epsom & Ewell fade badly in the remaining fifteen minutes as the match swung towards Egham who looked more likely to score and this is exactly what occurred on 85 minutes, Nick Drew committing a foul within a minute of coming on as a substitute, the cross into the box finding Adam Foulser with a downward header past Paul Borg from 6 yards out as Epsom conceded the 100th league goal since Lyndon Buckwell took over as Manager in November 2006. With the regulator forty-five minutes up and going into injury time it seemed that Egham were going to run out 1-0 winners, but up step in the second minute of injury time who else but Robbie Burns who had been a handful all night as he received the ball off Adam Pero on the edge of the box, his run seeing him beat two defenders before slotting the ball diagonally under Clark Gooding into the far corner of the net from 10 yards out for his 29th goal of the season. Surely a point a piece was safe now which on the balance of play was a fair result but Egham from the restart forced a corner, fifty seconds after being pegged back the Egham corner was not defended properly as the ball landed in the middle of the area, Mark Postins swinging a boot 8 yards out with a shot that Paul Borg managed to get his glove to but could only parry on to the underside of the crossbar. The home supporters surrendering that as the match was 2-1 last week when it was abandoned that the result was fair for Egham and there couldn't be a way back surely? How wrong you can be as Epsom & Ewell's Charlie West pumped a ball forward trying to find Adam Pero with a flick on but the ball was overhit slightly, Anthony Oaks stooping to try to allow the ball to run out for a goal kick but he was unable to stoop his neck and head low enough as the ball glanced off his head and out for a corner. The corner by Kyle Hough found Charlie West with a powerful header through a crowd of players from 12 yards out that clearly went over the line by a foot before Neerav Patel got any part of body in contact with the ball which was incidently a punch to clear the ball, chaos raged for the next half minute as the referee who was running back to the centre circle pointing at the centre spot to signify a goal turned around to see Egham playing on and half the Epsom players claiming the ball had crossed the line with the other half appealing for the hand ball on the line, the referee blowing his whistle to stop play and consulting with his assistant referee to see if he had missed anything before re-signalling the award of the equaliser resulting in the whole Epsom team celebrating and Egham with the exception of Gooding and Patel surrounding the referee and his assistant. Monday 21st April 2008 Epsom & Ewell Reserves ran out eventual 6-2 winners at home to Haywards Heath Town this evening. The home side though had to repeat their exploits of last Wednesday evening to battle back from going a goal down on 24 minutes when a ball slipped through the Epsom defence found the visitors striker to take the ball around Ned Humphries' diving attempted save 8 yards out to have a simple tap into the unguarded net. Epsom & Ewell looked destined to go in at the break a goal down but Andy Amfo-Brobbey managed to latch on to a long ball in first half injury time as he beat the Haywards Heath keeper to the ball to knock it home over the keeper's dive from 12 yards out. The second half was only 20 seconds old when Epsom put their noses ahead, Kabby Singh setting up Zach Powell to volley home from just inside the visitors area. Epsom & Ewell forged into a 3-1 lead on 63 minutes, Dan Bolton having just come on a substitute laid the ball across the six yard box for the unmarked Andy Amfo-Brobbey, to finish from 6 yards out. Epsom & Ewell made it four on 65 minutes, hard work down the right wing saw Peter Solomon square the ball back finding Dan Bolton 7 yards out with an angle shot past the Haywards Heath keeper. From the re-start, the visitors managed to move the ball quickly up to the Epsom box as they won a penalty for a foul from behind, the penalty sending Ned Humphries the wrong way. Andy Amfo-Brobbey was given an opportunity to get his hat-trick on 76 minutes, the shot being deflected for a corner by the heel of a Haywards Heath defender. Dan Bolton collected a cross by Zach Powell on 85 minutes, his half-volley from 6 yards out being blocked by the visiting keeper but the ball bounced back up hitting Bolton's mid-drift allowing the rebound to fly home past the keeper. Two minutes later saw Bolton complete his hat-trick, a cross by Durmus Karapinar seeing the Haywards Heath keeper seem to complete a catch comfortably above his head but he managed to loose his footing in the pitch as he landed allowing the ball to squirm out of his hands, Bolton stabbing the loose ball home from 3 yards out. Epsom & Ewell's youth team completed their miserable league campaign without a win as they were beaten 3-0 by league champions Warlingham at Redhill. The youth team having the worst possible start as the hosts opened the scoring after just 7 seconds before going on to add two further goals in the second half. Saturday 19th April 2008 Epsom & Ewell grabbed all three points with a 3-0 win against North Greenford United at a drizzly Merland Rise but it could easily have been doubled. Epsom & Ewell with the disappointing ending and the lacklustre display on Tuesday night started slowly as did the visitors as the first fifteen minutes felt like a mid-table end of season encounter. The first opportunity falling to Kyle Hough cutting in with the ball from left wing on 22 minutes, his drilled shot flashing past the far post. Robbie Burns picked up the ball some 25 yards out on 27 minutes, he managed to use close ball control to evade four North Greenford United tackles in his run into the box before curling an effort from 10 yards out wide of the visitors keeper Dean Lindsay, unfortunately also just wide of the post. Less than a minute later and Epsom & Ewell were in the North Greenford United box again, Kyle Hough managing to go past one tackle and cut the ball back, Marcus Rose managing to stretch his foot out to direct the ball towards goal from 6 yards out, the effort clattering the near post and going out for a goal kick. The last action of the first half saw a Jordan Ellis corner knocked down by Chad Heuston finding Robbie Burns with his back to goal to hold off his marker as he managed to turn and hit a effort from 6 yards out that hit the face of the crossbar. The opening fifteen minutes of the second half were a niggly affair as a steady stream of yellow cards were flashed. Epsom & Ewell looked the more threatening but it was North Greenford that had the first chance of the second half on 66 minutes, a through ball seeing the Epsom & Ewell defence parted, Paul Borg going down quickly to manage to block with his legs and Charlie West mopping up the loose ball to prevent a corner. Epsom & Ewell creating their first opportunity on 68 minutes, Marcus Rose turning the visitors defender three times just inside the opposition box before putting a cross finding Chad Heuston that went just past the post. Epsom & Ewell's pressure eventually gained the results of an opening goal on 70 minutes, Kyle Hough squaring a ball seeing Robbie Burns chest control the ball allowing him to get past the last man Michael Peacock, the Epsom striker being yanked back by his shirt 8 yards from goal seeing the referee point to the spot. Kyle Hough stepping up to send Dean Lindsay the wrong way from the spot. The final twenty minutes by Epsom & Ewell was the best display since the end of October as the E's turned on the style as the visitors defence were torn apart repeatedly. Marcus Rose managing to evade two tackles on 73 minutes in his run into the box from the right wing, his effort trying to find either Burns or Heuston was cut out by Jason Tucker who was forced to put the ball out for a corner that was taken by Kyle Hough, Charlie West with a powerful header 8 yards out on the back post that grazed the top of the crossbar. Chad Heuston interlinked with Robbie Burns on 78 minutes, Burns' pace seeing him manage to go past one challenge and hit an effort from 15 yards out that the Greenford keeper Dean Lindsay was able to get his body behind the ball to complete a comfortable save. Robbie Burns notched his 27th goal of the season on 82 minutes, a direct ball seeing Robbie Burns and two North Greenford defenders having to back track all trying to get to the ball, but it was Burns who won the race as he positioned himself to be able to prod the ball past Dean Lindsay who had come out of his goal to try to narrow the angle. Four minutes later and Burns was on the end of a flowing move that included Kyle Hough, Marcus Rose and Chad Heuston to be unmarked six yards out to tap home a squared ball past Dean Lindsay. Epsom looked likely to score everytime that they reached the North Greenford area, 88 minutes on the clock and it was Chad Heuston with a delicate header square to Robbie Burns, the Epsom striker connecting with a scissor kick on the edge of the box that looked destined for the far top corner but North Greenford keeper Dean Lindsay pulled off a top drawer save with a save at full stretch above his head as he managed to regain control of the ball somehow. Marcus Rose had the final opportunity of the game in the first minute of injury time, Marcus Rose managing to get past his marker and hit a low shot from 12 yards out that swerved in mid-air that would have seen the ball creep inside the near post, North Greenford keeper Dean Lindsay forced to stick out his boot to deflect the ball away for a corner. Wednesday 16th April 2008 Epsom & Ewell's reserves managed to claim all three points with a 3-2 win at home to lowly Horley Town after finding themselves two down at half-time. Horley Town opened the scoring in the opening minute when the two Epsom centre-backs collided going for the same ball and Epsom keeper Jack Witts' punch finding the Horley Town player's forehead as the ball found the back of the net. Epsom & Ewell could have been level by the time Horley doubled the lead on 35 minutes but for the string of saves by the Horley keeper. The visitors were gifted a second, a back pass back towards Jack Witts from 25 yards out for no apparent reason found their striker to collect and take the ball around Jack Witts allowing the ball to be rolled into the net. Epsom & Ewell nearly found themselves three down on 51 minutes with a mix-up between Jack Witts and Ollie Dicks. The come back started on 57 minutes, an Epsom move down the right wing that saw Horley appealing for offside against Andy Amfo-Brobbey eventually saw Matt Chapman lay the ball back for Dave Jones to find the net from 10 yards out. The equaliser occurred on 65 minutes, the ball managing to find Dave Jones to break the offside trap with a run and knock the ball underneath the Horley keeper from 15 yards out when one on one. The match seemed to be ending in a draw until the first minute of injury time, Oliver Dicks winning a tackle just inside the Horley half allowing the ball to break to Durmus Karapinar for a cross to be made deep from the right wing that took a ricochet off a Horley defender's head in flight allowing Dan Bolton making his debut after joining from Walton & Hersham Youth to connect with a header from 15 yards out that looped in over the Horley keeper. Tuesday 15th April 2008 Epsom & Ewell's home match against Egham Town was abandoned after 73 minutes this evening due to a serious injury to Egham's centre back Tom Martin with the visitors leading 2-1 at the time. Egham took a 10th minute lead when the Epsom defence failed to respond to a parried save by Paul Borg allowing an easy conversion from 10 yards out. Egham doubled their lead on 20 minutes, Jordan Ellis committing a foul that saw the referee pointing to the spot with Paul Borg being sent the wrong way. Epsom & Ewell managed to get a goal back on 35 minutes when Robbie Burns was fouled in the Egham box, Kyle Hough converting from the spot. The score line remained the same into the second half and until Tom Martin went into a diving tackle on 73 minutes but came off seriously injured with a very bad leg injury that meant he was unable to be moved to allow him to be stretchered off the pitch which required the ambulance to drive on the pitch to assist the player. After 35 minutes delay awaiting for the arrival of an available ambulance and after consulting with the paramedics of the timeframe to remove the player and ambulance from the playing surface and taking into account the time remaining to be played, the referee decided to abandon the match. Everybody at Epsom & Ewell F.C. wishes Tom & his family all the best for a speedy recovery. Wednesday 09th April 2008 With no fixture this weekend and with all the rest of the sides in the Combined Counties League having a number of games in the 10 day gap that we are currently having off, the first team management decided to use this reserve fixture to keep up the fitness for the first team squad against Molesey's reserves under the guidance of former Epsom & Ewell keeper Warren Aburn. Unfortunately the decision back fired slightly on 10 minutes as Kyle Hough picked up a foot injury that could potentially put him out of action for one or more of the remaining matches. Chad Heuston could have opened the scoring on 20 minutes as he latched on to a flick-on by Adam Pero his effort forcing Molesey keeper James Farrow into a stop low to his left. Ross Shoefield's short corner to Marcus Rose saw the Epsom midfielder swing the ball into the Molesey area seeing panic ensue, Chad Heuston getting the final effort away as James Farrow managed to keep the ball the right side of the goal line with a despairing dive to his left on 32 minutes. Matt Chapman's hard work saw him dance through three challenges oin the right wing and square the ball back across the face of the six yard box for Chad Heuston arriving on the back post with a low finish that would normally have resulted in a goal but Molesey keeper James Farrow pulled off a blocking save with his legs to manage to divert the ball wide of the near post. Another Shoefield & Rose corner saw Adam Pero connect with a volley from 10 yards out on the stroke of half time, Molesey's Chris Ellis standing on the goal line saw an instinctive hand came away from his body to deflect the ball up on to the crossbar, the referee pointing to the spot as Heuston's follow-up was blocked on the line by Ellis' leg who was shown a straight red for denying a goal scoring opportunity. Adam Pero stepped up to hit a powerful penalty that was the right height for a keeper, Molesey keeper James Farrow managing to guess the right way and get a hand to the ball but he was only able to push the ball into the inside wall of the net. The second half saw Epsom & Ewell become sluggish as passing moves ended up in the same place as they started. A mix-up at the back on 56 minutes should have seen Molesey gain an equaliser when Epsom defender Nick Drew and keeper Ed Humphries miscommunication about who was to deal with a ball saw the ball bounce between both Epsom players into the path of Kenny Dwyer who managed to dwell a second too long on the ball in front of the unguarded net as his eventual effort from 8 yards out was blocked by the leg of Charlie West who had read the situation to get back in time with an interception. Minutes later the only other opportunity occurred for Molesey as Dwyer was again allowed to gain the ball too easily, this time with only Humphries to beat from 10 yards but his effort trying to beat the Epsom keeper on his near post ended up curling away from goal and hitting the roof of the club house. Substitute Ben Hayward managed to scoop an effort on 83 minutes wide and fellow substitute Robbie Burns thought he had notched number 27 on 88 minutes when Ross Shoefield's quick free-kick just 8 yards out after a deliberate back pass was squared to Burns to fire home but the referee pulled the free-kick back as Shoefield had taken the free-kick too early for the referee's liking. Saturday 05th April 2008 A depleted but still strong Epsom & Ewell side missing Charlie West, Jamie Hatfield, Kyle Hough & Gary McLaughlin succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Sandhurst Town in their worst display since Reading back in January. Epsom & Ewell started lethargic as Sandhurst were able to create the first chance of the match after just four minutes, Sandhurst's Errol Hutchings able to receive the ball on the edge of the box and hit a curling shot for the far top corner that paul Borg was forced to punch over his own bar. Sandhurst were given too much time on 13 minutes as the ball was slipped into Peter Mulvaney, his rasping shot forcing another acrobatic save out of Paul Borg to push the ball over the crossbar. Epsom & Ewell found themselves on the end of a harsh decision on 24 minutes, the ball being played into the path of Peter Mulvaney that saw him turn Jordan Ellis on but as the Epsom defender turned on the edge of the D he was tripped seeing him being sent sprawling with his hand coming into contact with the ball inside the D as he landed, the referee waving play on but the assistant referee put the flag across his chest for a penalty. Sandhurst's Danny Wilde stepping up to convert past Paul Borg who was left wrong footed. Epsom & Ewell's blushes were spared thanks to two more fine saves by Epsom keeper Paul Borg on 32 minutes with another high save to his right and on 38 minutes with a low diving save to his left. The second half was played in the most horrendous weather conditions as the game was played in a torrential hailstorm for the first twenty minutes with both sides not able to make a chance on target. Epsom & Ewell looking lifeless sprung into action for the final twenty minutes with Epsom manager Lyndon Buckwell going to three at the back and bringing on Danny Barham after his impressive display for the Reserves on Thursday night, the match suddenly opened up down the right wing for Epsom on 78 minutes, Barham beating the Sandhurst defender to get on to the ball, his cross into the box seeing Sandhurst's 4 only scuff an attempted clearance to Adam Pero, his effort beat Sandhurst keeper Andy Ewen but managed to clatter the outside of the far post and roll out for a corner. Danny Barham raced on to a Ross Shoefield through ball on 83 minutes, his first time whipped in cross finding the mid drift of Marcus Rose as the midfielder managed to control the ball but his effort from 8 yards out was just over the crossbar. Sandhurst wrapped up the win in the first minute of injury time, a direct ball saw Mark Corbett race on to the ball that forced Borg off his line, Corbett's shot from 12 yards out being blocked by Borg's leg's but the ball bounced back up hitting the Sandhurst forward in the chest which allowed the ball to fly into the empty net. Thursday 03rd April 2008 Epsom & Ewell's reserves and youth were both in action this evening. The reserves were in action at Kiln Brow against their counterparts from Redhill in the East Surrey Hospitals Intermediate Cup Quarter-Finals. Epsom & Ewell fielding a mixture of reserves and youth team players plus first team regular Kyle Hough as he misses the Combined Counties League game at home to Sandhurst Town on Saturday flew out of the starting gates at pace that saw Epsom & Ewell hit the hosts with a sucker punch before they knew what had hit them, after just four minutes Kyle Hough's corner floated to the back post found Dave Jones with no other players within five yards of him able to execute a bullet header from six yards out. Ned Humphries in the Epsom goal only had one piece of keeping duties to perform in the first half by plucking out of the air a Redhill corner mid way through the half. The majority of the action was at the other end as wave after wave of attacks were started by Danny Barham and Matt Chapman's probing balls trying to get Kyle Hough and James Voisey clear, but resolute defending by Redhill prevented Epsom being further ahead by the time half-time came around. The Epsom & Ewell management used the half-time to make the team pick up the work rate that had tailed off in the closing minutes of the first half, with an end result on 50 minutes with a poor Redhill pass seeing Dan Barham provided with a ball for a one on one, the Redhill keeper getting drawn off his line and seeming to get his angles wrong as Barham's low shot from 25 yards out bounced into the far corner of the net with the ball a good 5 yards wide of the home keeper as it passed him. The game was sealed just two minutes later, Peter Solomon's pass seeing Kyle Hough hold off his marker and feed the ball into the path of his strike partner James Voisey to knock the ball past the last defender for a clear run towards goal, the Redhill keeper again coming off his line to narrow the angle and try to intercept but Voisey managed to keep calm to roll the ball home under the Redhill keeper from 15 yards out. Redhill scored a consolation through ex-Banstead forward Marcel Dennis with a curled effort from just inside the area on 66 minutes. Richard Wittekind should have made it four on 82 minutes when he was sent clear for a one on one but he lifted his effort from just inside the area over the crossbar, and Aaron Williams did very well to get on to a Kyle Hough cross on 89 minutes at the back post but he could not control his headed effort as the ball flashed just wide of the opposite top corner. The youth team came away from Chipstead with a 2-2 draw. Epsom & Ewell manager Steve Butt used this match to try to mould the youth team for next season as the majority of the players that will be too old going with the Reserves instead this evening. Epsom & Ewell were moments away from recording their first league win of the season but the Chips managed to score a third minute injury time equaliser. Saturday 29th March 2008 Epsom & Ewell put to the back of their minds the events in the first league match in November and the league cup match at home in February to record a 2-0 win away against Bedfont Green at Yeading's Warren ground. The only change to the starting line-up from Monday was Marcus Rose coming in for the unavailable Ross Shoefield. Epsom & Ewell ruled the tempo of the game from the start with fast moving passing football that saw the home side penned back in their own half for last swathes of the opening fifteen minutes but Bedfont on their two excursion upfield created the two opening opportunities both from corners that saw both Charlie West and Alex Rodrigues out jumped but the headers were at comfortable height for Paul Borg to push them around the post. Despite Epsom & Ewell having the majority of the possession through the middle of the park, it was not until 32 minutes that the first opportunity was created by the E's, Marcus Rose starting a cross field move that included Gary McLaughlin, Ben Hayward, Adam Pero and Robbie Burns for the ball to eventually find Kyle Hough to hold off his marker and cut inside to hit an effort from 15 yards out that Bedfont Green keeper Lee Pearce was forced to push into the side netting. Robbie Burns was having a very quiet match for the first 37 minutes, and throughout this season when Burns is having a quiet match he is at his most dangerous and lethal which was proved again today as Adam Pero collected a layoff by Hough and used his feet with close ball control to get past his defender and put a seemingly normal low ball across the Bedfont Green area that looked destined to find a home defender to clear but Burns like at Bedfont last month appeared from nowhere to collect and side foot the ball home under Lee Pearce from six yards out. The final nine minutes of the half saw Epsom pressurising the home team which resulted in Gary McLaughlin and Adam Pero's efforts both flying high over the goal and stand and two free-kicks float straight out for goal kicks. Epsom & Ewell started the second half sluggishly as they tried to get used to the windy conditions and Paul Borg nearly got caught out with just over 40 seconds gone as a high looping ball dipped suddenly forcing Borg to readjust himself to take the ball more or less under his own crossbar. After a sustained five minute period of pressure by Bedfont Green, the visitors acclimatised to take control of the midfield again. Epsom & Ewell managed to feed the ball into Robbie Burns on 59 minutes, although contact occurred inside the box with Burns falling to the ground there was inconclusive proof that a foul had occurred - the assistant referee flagged for the penalty with the referee pointing to the spot as the home team understandably surrounded the referee but the award made up for the two definite penalties not awarded in November. Kyle Hough stepped up to fire the ball low to Lee Pearce's left which Pearce guessed right as he got a strong glove on to the shot but the ball clattered the inside of the post and rolled into the net. Bedfont Green nearly were given a way back into the match, calamity defending by Epsom off a corner after 67 minutes saw the ball drop into the middle of the Epsom area, the home player unable to get a clean shot away, Paul Borg making a blocking save to his left, Charlie West using his knee to stop the ball going over the line resulting in the ball falling amongst a crowd of players, the ball eventually finding Jordan Ellis to volley clear. Epsom & Ewell had a sustained period with just over 10 minutes left, with the most noticeable event being Jamie Hatfield picking the ball up around 15 yards from the Epsom goal line on 78 minutes as he sped down the majority of the the length of the right wing managing to beat four Bedfont Green before chipping a cross into the back post, Hough heading back to Ben Hayward with a layoff to Charlie West in support, West going down far too easy. The last ten minutes were a scrappy affair as Epsom were able to close down all attempts by Bedfont Green to go through the centre of Epsom's defence, and the tired midfielders were happy to keep the ball as they ran time off the clock. Wednesday 26th March 2008 Epsom & Ewell's youth team ended on the end of a 7-0 thumping but the true story of the match was far different. A very open close encounter saw Epsom & Ewell playing the best football seen all season and had the upper hand on the league leaders for the first 35 minutes but all the hard work was undone by four sloppy mistakes that saw Warlingham crack in shots from the edge of the box in the 35th, 37th, 40th and 41st minutes that all flew over a helpless Jack Witts - first team keeper Paul Borg probably would not have got to any of the shots either. With the match killed off the second half was a drab affair as Warlingham did their goal difference a boost by adding a fifth on 56 minutes a through ball sent their striker clear for him to round Witts and slot the ball home, the sixth occurring on 64 minutes as poor defensive marking saw a Warlingham player left unmarked in the box to turn the ball home from 10 yards out and number seven on 71 minutes was a carbon copy of the fifth. Tuesday 25th March 2008 Epsom & Ewell Reserves gained a double over Colliers Wood United with a 2-0 home win at Merland Rise. Epsom & Ewell dominated the match from the start and should have been ahead well before the deadlock was eventually broken by David Jones scrambling the ball home from a corner. The lead for Epsom & Ewell was doubled on 55 minutes as Peter Solomon noticing the Colliers Wood keeper off his line chipped the ball home from 30 yards out. Gary Dennis collected a pass by Andy Amfo-Brobbey as he drove into the edge of the box on 70 minutes, his effort beating the visitors keeper but crashed off the foot of the far post. Peter Solomon nearly repeated his chipping prowess on 78 minutes as his effort from 20 yards out this time found the roof of the net. Gary Dennis was on the end of a half cleared corner on the edge of the box but he managed to have a fresh air shot with his attempted volley after 84 minutes and Epsom were denied a last minute penalty by the referee who failed to notice the left back push a Daniel Barham shot wide of the post with his hands. Monday 24th March 2008 Epsom & Ewell gained a league double over landlords Banstead Athletic with a 3-1 win to crown an excellent Easter programme for Epsom. Only two changes from Saturday for Epsom & Ewell, unavailable Chad Heuston replaced by Adam Pero and Gary Dennis dropping to the bench for the fit again Jamie Hatfield. Snow was falling throughout for the second match inside 48 hours at Merland Rise, as Epsom & Ewell were out of the blocks from the start of the match to force an early corner after just 15 seconds but Banstead cleared the corner upfield to Kevin Terry to have the first shot on target that forced Paul Borg into a save to his left to push it around the post. Epsom & Ewell took the lead on 16 minutes, Gary McLaughlin's pass setting up Ross Shoefield on the edge of the Banstead area to curl the ball into the top corner over Dave Tidy. A poor free-kick on 23 minutes by Charlie West saw the ball intercepted and sprayed wide into Kevin Terry's path, although Alex Rodrigues and Ben Hayward tried to stop Terry's run, the Banstead striker's close ball control allowed him to continue into the box and dink the ball into the net from 10 yards over Paul Borg's sliding attempted block. The scores were level for only 81 seconds, Kyle Hough picking up an Adam Pero flick on to bring the ball around the back of the Banstead right back and float the ball across the six yard box for Robbie Burns arriving on the back post with a diagonal header from 4 yards out that looped back into the opposite top corner over Dave Tidy. Kyle Hough was fed a through pass by Burns on 36 minutes, his effort from 10 yards out trying to beat Dave Tidy on his near post finding the side netting. Epsom built up the cushion on 40 minutes, Adam Pero's layoff to Gary McLaughlin was misplaced for the run of Gary McLaughlin which forced the Epsom midfielder to adjust his run, McLaughlin crossing the ball in first time to find Adam Pero out jumping Jahmal King with a powerful header from 10 yards out that looped past Dave Tidy's good attempt to reach the ball to find the same top corner as the first two goals. There was time for Epsom & Ewell nearly to score a fourth, Kyle Hough's cross finding Adam Pero with a header back across the six yard box but the ball was 8 inches in front of Robbie Burns who would have scored had he connected with the ball. The second half was not as eventful or lived up the expectations expected after the first half due to Epsom & Ewell willing to sit back a little deeper than in the first half and the worsening weather conditions saw the snow start to lay seeing the pitch cut up. Paul Borg was forced into making another one handed save to his left to push an effort from Sam Hewitt around his post after 51 minutes. Gary McLaughlin tried to get his name on the score sheet on 63 minutes by collecting a knock down by Adam Pero to hit a volley from 15 yards out that was a comfortable height for Dave Tidy to make a blocking parry to his left. Paul Borg made another outstanding save to go into his scrapbook for the 2007/08 season, a whipped in cross from the right wing found Michael Corbett reaching to stick out his right boot to deflect the ball goal bound, Borg going the wrong way managing somehow to get his elbow in the way to divert the ball wide of the post. Kyle Hough forced Dave Tidy to block an effort on 81 minutes from 12 yards out and Robbie Burns connected with a header on 86 minutes that grazed the top of the crossbar as Epsom eased to the win. Saturday 22nd March 2008 Epsom & Ewell extinguished Camberley's remote hopes of the league title with a 1-0 win at Merland Rise this afternoon. The match was never in doubt to whether or not it was going to take place due to the minimal amount of sleety rain overnight. Ross Shoefield after personal family difficulties came back into the starting line-up for the suspended Sam Braggins and Chad Heuston started in place of Adam Pero. The opening minutes gave a reflection for the rest of the game as Camberley found it difficult battling with 65 mile per hour gale in their faces as the ball held up in the wind, Epsom spraying the ball into the channels forcing the visitors back. The only goal of the match occurred on 17 minutes, a well worked move seeing Robbie Burns knock a ball on into the path of Ross Shoefield on the right wing, the low cross into the box seeing Chad Heuston connect with a half volley 8 yards out that curled away into the far corner of the net with the assistance of the wind to take it past the legs of Camberley keeper Joshua Pickham. Epsom & Ewell had opportunities through Kyle Hough twice and Ross Shoefield to hit the target but the wind carried the ball away from the goal, Camberley's only real effort except for long range efforts off target was a Darren Barnard free-kick that was straight at Paul Borg. The final five minute of the half saw the start of a brief hailstorm. The players went into the dressing rooms at half-time with hail and re-emerged fifteen minutes later in a blizzard storm that held for the first five minutes as visibility was down to around 30 yards. Epsom & Ewell started to make it hard work for themselves by sitting back but admittedly had to cope with the very strong gale force winds blowing into their faces. Camberley were given an opportunity to try to find the net with an overlapping move on 57 minutes as a cross found Mitch While with a downward header that was straight at Paul Borg. Julian Sills' shot from the edge of the area that was a cross turned into a shot with the help of the wind as Paul Borg was forced into making a save to push the ball on to the top of the crossbar and over for a corner. Epsom & Ewell were nearly gifted a goal to double the lead on 70 minutes, Ben Hayward spreading the ball out to Ross Shoefield for a cross in from the right wing that held up in the wind seeing Darren Barnard muscle Robbie Burns away from the ball allowing him to cushion a header back to his keeper but the wind caught hold of the ball to move away from the keeper forcing Joshua Pickham to manage to get the minor of fingertips on the ball to divert it on to the inside of the post, the ball bouncing back out allowing Pickham to grab the loose ball. Chad Heuston saw a drilled low effort on 76 minutes take two deflections off Camberley legs to divert it wide for a corner. The last two minutes saw panic in the Epsom & Ewell area as Camberley won a stream of corners, the first one seeing the ball headed back across goal, a Jefferson Gowland header hitting Charlie West on the line to bounce wide, the second corner seeing Charlie West rise and manage to head the ball wide of the post thankfully for Epsom & Ewell. It was nearly Alex Rodrigues to put the ball into his own net on the third corner as his effort bounced past the near post too close for the side's comfort and on the fourth corner, a fuller one fell to Rob Lance at the back post but his effort hit Jordan Ellis allowing Gary McLaughlin to clear the loose ball out of the danger area. Reserves go down at East Grinstead Town Epsom & Ewell's reserves went down 1-0 away at East Grinstead Town Thursday 20th March 2008 Epsom & Ewell's youth team gained another point with a late equaliser in very testing blustery conditions at Merland Rise. Although a steady spray of rain had fallen throughout the day, the pitch was playable and partly sticky. There was few opportunities from either side in the first half, Jack Witts being forced into two low saves and Aaron Faluakjo blasted his effort from 20 yards out just wide of the far post. Whyteleafe took the lead with a minute remaining before half-time, a poor defensive clearance falling to a Whyteleafe on the deg of the box to hit a shot that found the back of the net off the inside of the near post despiet Jack Witts attempts to get across to the ball with a dive to his left. Whyteleafe seemed to be going through the motions in the second half as they looked comfortable to hold on for a 1-0 win but Epsom & Ewell's Kwambena Osei was on the end of a floated high ball just inside the Whyteleafe on 86 minutes to volley home from 12 yards out. James Voisey two minutes later was given the opportunity to gain Epsom's first win of the season as a threaded ball saw him sent clear, although he beat the 'leafe keeper he dragged his effort into the side netting. Saturday 15th March 2008 Epsom & Ewell gained all three points with a late Robbie Burns winner against Cove at Merland Rise. The match started with a number of interesting challenges that set up for an intriguing open match from the first to last minute. Epsom & Ewell weathered the early storm by Cove and had the better opportunities as the first half progressed, Adam Pero on the end of a Gary Dennis cross on 19 minutes with a header than just floated over the crossbar. The lead was gained on 26 minutes, Jordan Ellis' throw-in finding Kyle Hough for a first time lay-off to Adam Pero, the Epsom striker tried to get past his marker but his pass trying to lay the ball into Robbie Burns was blocked, the loose ball bouncing to Kyle Hough who beat one visiting defender and unleash a curling shot from just inside the right side of the Cove box to find just inside the far post. Two minutes later, Cove could and should have been level but Paul Borg pulled off another fine one handed save to his right to push Darren Dobinson's shot on to the crossbar. Epsom & Ewell looked sharp going forward but with being a goal ahead, the midfield relaxed but Cove failed to penetrate the Epsom defence as Epsom went in a goal up at half-time. Epsom for the first twenty minutes of the second half sat back to soak up the pressure of Cove who did not look threatening until they scored an equaliser on 67 minutes, a shot from 20 yards out skidded over the wet surface, Paul Borg managing to get his gloves behind the ball but the excessive water on the ball saw the ball come back out straight to Musa Laden following-in to roll the ball home from 7 yards out. The goal awoke Epsom from their slumber, Adam Pero picking up a Gary McLaughlin pass enabling him to break through the Cove defensive line on 68 minutes, his effort skimming the outside of the post but his effort would not have stood as the assistant had his flagged raised. Gary Dennis who was given plenty of room on the left wing managed to pick up a probing ball by Ben Hayward on 73 minutes, his cross into the near post finding Robbie Burns with a deft header that looked a certain goal but Cove keeper Andy Hunt pulled off a one handed block to push the ball into the air and then manage to collect the ball at the second attempt as it fell back to the ground straight into Hunt's grip. Gary Dennis was on the end of a passing move just inside the Cove area on 75 minutes, his effort after getting the ball on to his stronger left foot forced Andy Hunt into a diving save to his left to push the ball on to the outside of the far post for a corner. Ben Hayward managed to time his run on 79 minutes as he beat the offside trap to gather the ball and bring it into the Cove area and the visitors goal, his delicate chip to the far post found an unmarked Robbie Burns three yards out with an open goal but somehow he managed to head it the wrong side of the post seeing every Epsom player and supporters hold their head in their hands. Cove blew their chance of taking the lead on 81 minutes, a low cross finding their player 8 yards out but his effort with only Borg to beat was sliced over the bar. Hayward managed to beat the offside trap for the second time on 84 minutes, his cross just too high for Burns arriving. Epsom & Ewell managed to gain the winner on 87 minutes, Gary Dennis with a reverse pass into Robbie Burns' channel, the Epsom striker showing his prowess in front of goal of scoring out of nothing as he was first to the ball on the right side of the Cove box that Cove keeper Andy Hunt was forced to come off his line to close down, Burns hitting a first time cheeky chip with the outside of his left boot from 18 yards out which sailed over Hunt to land two yards out and roll into the empty net. Epsom held on for the final three minutes but must thank Charlie West's groin as it was in the way of a powerful shot by Darren Dobinson that was destined for the bottom corner but the central defender's intervention took the power off the shot enabling Borg to make an eventual comfortable save. Saturday 08th March 2008 Epsom & Ewell went down 1-0 against Guildford City at the Spectrum Centre this afternoon. Epsom & Ewell were fortunate to go in level at the break after having three clear penalty appeals by Guildford City turned down, Charlie West appearing to get hands on a shot after 23 minutes, Alex Rodrigues managing to get player and ball on 32 minutes as the home striker bared down on the Epsom goal and Oliver Dicks checked the run of a Guildford midfielder on 41 minutes. Ben Hayward saw his effort in a packed area on 36 minutes dribble just wide of the goal and Gary McLaughlin's run into the box on 41 minutes resulting in an attempted cut back for Adam Pero flash through the six yard box and out for a Guildford throw-in. Guildford's penalty shout number four on 59 minutes was turned down for Chad Heuston holding down a Guildford player in the box, and Heuston was on the end of an Adam Pero pass on 64 minutes for Epsom's only real chance in the second half as his half volley flashed wide of the far post. The remainder of the half saw Epsom sit back and look for the goal less draw but Guildford looked more and more likely to score, the only goal occurring on 77 minutes when a sloppy pass inside the Epsom box seeing Paul Borg forced to stretch for the ball and collide with Aneel Azeem, the referee pointing to the spot. Azeem converting the penalty despite Borg judging the correct direction and he was not that far away from getting to the penalty. Guildford City hit the post on 85 minutes from a shot 8 yards out and Paul Borg was forced to make a one handed save to his right to tip an effort around the far post in the final few moments of the match. Colts Under 11's make hard work to reach Cup Final Epsom & Ewell Colts Under 11a side made hard work this morning of beating Bookham Colts Under 11B in the League Cup semi-final played at NESCOT. Epsom & Ewell had already beaten the opposition in the league 13-0 at Bookham and 4-0 at home three weeks ago, but records on paper mean nothing in cup football and with the winds in their faces in the first half Epsom created the only real opportunity in the first half with around ten left as the Bookham keeper misjudged the ball rolling through to him allowing the onrushing Epsom player to latch on to the ball to round the keeper who forced the Epsom midfielder to go wider than he would have anticipated, the eventual shot bouncing off the foot of the post. The wind picked up further in the second half as the ball seemed to gallop away from the chasing Epsom players, but two late chances for Epsom were wasted as the ball rolled agonisingly the wrong side of the far post on each occassion. The first seven minute period of extra-time saw no clear cut chance evident. With dreaded penalties looming, Epsom & Ewell in the third minute of the second period of extra-time saw the corner only half cleared, a scramble ensued that eventually saw a shot from the edge of the six yard box roll under the Bookham keeper into the net. Bookham had one final push by managing to win a corner in the final minute but Epsom defended it well to clear the danger. The Colts will face Samba Youth in the final on Saturday 03rd May 2008 at Merland Rise. Epsom & Ewell Colts Under 13's will try to make it a double next Sunday morning as they try to book their place in the final of the Under 13 league cup at Merland Rise in early May with a semi-final against NPL Youth at NESCOT - kick-off 9:45am. Wednesday 05th March 2008 Epsom & Ewell's youth team succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Banstead Athletic this evening. The match looked destined to be a fourth consecutive draw until the 68th minute when the visitors took advantage of loose defending to convert a ball from 8 yards out. The win was sealed in the fifth minute of injury time a long ball was failed to be dealt with allowing the Banstead player running on to the ball to fire home from 10 yards out. Epsom & Ewell were denied goals on 55 minutes and 82 minutes thanks to spectacular goal line clearances by Banstead. Tuesday 04th March 2008 Chertsey Town snatched a 1-0 win thanks to a 81st minute strike by John Pomroy. A very even game was evident throughout the match, Paul Borg making a save from Kevin Cooper on 28 minutes with a low dive to his left and Ben Hayward was on the end of a through ball on 37 minutes but his effort from 8 yards out flashed just wide of the upright. Robbie Burns driving run and then curling shot from the edge of the Chertsey box skimmed the outside of the post on 41 minutes and Adam Pero was on the end of a Kyle Hough free-kick, his header clattering the inside of the post bouncing down on the goal line and spinning back out into the grasp of the Chertsey keeper. Robbie Burns played the ball into Kyle Hough on 57 minutes his angled effort flashing past the outside of the far post. A Kyle Hough corner was headed clear by Chertsey as far as Charlie West standing on the edge of the box, his low curling shot being deflected wide by a Chertsey defender's knee. John Pomroy took advantage of the only defensive mistake by Epsom during the match as he picked up a ball and poked it past Paul Borg from 8 yards out, and he should have doubled the lead on 88 minutes when he skied an effort from 6 yards out. Kyle Hough in injury time was allowed to thread his way into the Chertsey box and fire low just wide of the far post again from 15 yards out. Monday 03rd March 2008 Epsom & Ewell's Reserves were defeated at home 2-0 by Horsham YMCA at a bitterly cold Merland Rise. Horsham YMCA forced Epsom into a defensive lapse to open the scoring on 13 minutes, a lay back from a tight angle saw the ball dispatched past Jack Witts from close range. Further poor defending on 38 minutes saw Epsom clear the ball twice straight to a visiting player, the eventual cross seeing three Epsom defenders motionless in the middle of the Epsom area watch the ball be received by the YMCA striker and then dispatch an effort from 8 yards out past Witts with no attempt of a tackle by any of the defenders. Horsham should have been three up at the break but the woodwork come to Epsom's rescue. Jim Tidy making his return to football following his horrific knee injury away at Tonbridge Angels last August came close for Epsom & Ewell in the second half, his angled shot though forcing the Horsham YMCA keeper to make an excellent block to his left. Saturday 01st March 2008 Epsom & Ewell managed to scrape a 2-1 win against Cobham although Epsom had to work hard to gain the three points. The match was played in an eerie silence as Epsom & Ewell recorded their lowest attendance for many a year with only 19 spectators watching on. Epsom & Ewell had the majority of the first twenty minutes, Charlie West with a header on the back post that flashed wide of the other post and Adam Pero was on the end of a Ross Shoefield cross, his header on 16 minutes just inches over the crossbar. Cobham against the run of play opened the scoring after 20 minutes, a misplaced pass seeing the ball played long down the left wing for Andrew Charles to eventually cut in and lay the ball across the six yard box underneath Epsom keeper Paul Borg who came out to narrow the angle for Shane Rideout to slide in and knock the ball home ahead of Alex Rodrigues attempts to get to the ball. Epsom & Ewell's early period of dominance fell apart with the opening goal as the visitors were allowed to attack the Epsom half whilst the home players sat back and tried to soak up the pressure. It looked most likely that Epsom were going to go in at half-time a goal down but against the run of play an equaliser was found, Charlie West's attempted through ball being handled just outside the box, Kyle Hough's short free-kick saw Ross Shoefield gather, nip around one defender and cross the ball into the danger area for Adam Pero with a diving header from 8 yards out that bounced past Cobham keeper Rory Parsons. Epsom & Ewell with the wind advantage found it hard to adapt to the conditions in the second half as the majority of the balls were straight and bounced through to the Cobham keeper Rory Parsons. Robbie Burns flick on after 51 minutes found Kyle Hough, his effort from just inside the box making Rory Parsons push the ball around the post with a dive to his left. Epsom & Ewell were managing to get nice passing movements going in the second half but each time, the move broke down for offsides. Epsom & Ewell eventually getting a series of corner on the hour mark, the third one managing to find Charlie West with a flick back across the box, Ben Hayward with a shot from just inside the area that flashed just wide of the post. The winner eventually coming on 72 minutes through a Kyle Hough penalty, Charlie West's long pass that seemed to be going to run through for a goal kick hit a Cobham defender's boot that allowed it to be slowed down and loop into the path of Kyle Hough, the midfielder galloping on to the ball and rounding Cobham keeper Rory Parsons but managed to stumble as he was about to slide it home from 10 yards out, the referee blowing for the foul and pointing to the penalty spot, Hough sending Parsons the wrong way from 12 yards out. Kyle Hough latchwed on to a smart through ball by Gary McLaughlin on 76 minutes, his effort trying to replicate his strike last weekend at Merstham this time found the side netting. Cobham could have easily drawn level within seconds a kick goal kick saw the Epsom & Ewell defence unorganised allowing Andrew Dalhouse to gather a ball deep inside the Epsom box but a lunging sliding challenge by Charlie West forced the Cobham forward to sky his chance from 8 yards out on a tight angle, West's foot getting the full brunt of Dalhouse's follow through. Ollie Dicks' clearance on 84 minutes saw Adam Pero react to a call for a flick on by Ross Shoefield, the winger's cross just too high for Robbie Burns as it floated harmlessly out for a goal kick. Thursday 28th February 2008 Epsom & Ewell's youth made it two goal less draws in a row but will be kicking themselves for not pressing home a man advantage. Mole Valley Predators were reduced to ten men on 27 minutes when a late tackle followed by the reaction afterwards by the home player saw him shown his marching orders. Epsom & Ewell threw everything at the home side in the second half and nearly nicked it in injury time when James Voisey was sent clear, his effort finding the toe cap of the Predators keeper's boot to tip the ball on to the face of the post and no Epsom player was able to get to the loose ball quickly enough to score the winner. Wednesday 27th February 2008 Epsom & Ewell's reserves had to battle with ten men from a goal behind to gain a point but threw everything including the kitchen sink at Raynes Park Vale in the second half to try to gain the three points. Epsom & Ewell had the upper hand from the start of the match but found themselves a goal down after 24 minutes against the run of play from the penalty spot after a long ball deep into the Epsom half saw a cross played into the Epsom box seeing a snap shot fired towards goal that hit the forearm of Jonathan Sexton, although the E's defender had a natural reaction to try to block his face on the goal line, the referee was technically correct in sending him off for denying a goal as if his arm had not instinctively come up the shot looked destined for the top corner. Danny Barham was inches away from connecting on the end of a Jordan Ellis free-kick on 42 minutes. The second half was one way traffic as the ten men of Epsom & Ewell made it look as though we had the man advantage rather than Vale, Jordan Ellis, Danny Barham, Andy Amfo-Brobbey and Zach Powell all managing to fire shots just wide of the upright before a deserved equaliser occurred on 68 minutes, a lay-off finding Jordan Ellis on the edge of the box with an attempted chip that was blocked just inside the area by a Vale defender's forearm, everyone stopping awaiting for the referee to blow for the penalty but the referee waved play on, Ellis the only player to react as he volleyed the loose ball home from 15 yards out. Danny Barham and Aaron Williams in the closing ten minutes both had efforts from just inside the area that were just too high. Saturday 23rd February 2008 Epsom & Ewell came away from Moatside with a 1-1 draw and become only the second club to take points off of Merstham at their ground this season after North Greenford last month. Epsom & Ewell included Adam Pero in the squad after the successful completion of his transfer from Dorking on Thursday but Lyndon Buckwell's plans were thrown into tatters before the match due to Epsom keeper Paul Borg's car broke down allowing Neil Harrowing the chance to make a rare start, the only other changes seeing Gary McLaughlin suffering from a hamstring injury picked up on Tuesday being replaced by Ross Shoefield. Epsom & Ewell started slowly as Merstham started the match with an upper hand, the Epsom defence being forced to keep a tight back line that frustrated the home side to allow only crosses in that Neil Harrowing was able to pluck out of the air for the first ten minutes. Epsom & Ewell with their own respite of limited forward moves looked threatening with the passing movements across the pitch but Merstham defenders were snapping on the heels of Robbie Burns and Chad Heuston to stop any real opportunities. Epsom & Ewell eventually were broken down and Merstham should have been ahead on 18 minutes when Kevin Lock was on the end of a a cut back but he managed to blaze the ball over the crossbar from 8 yards out. Merstham did manage to take a deserved lead on 21 minutes, a cross from the right finding Kwabena Agyemi rising with Alex Rodrigues and Charlie West, the ball apparently coming off the Merstham striker's shoulder blade rather than his head but the ball looped in over Neil Harrowing with the help of the underside of the crossbar. Merstham with a goal lead were looking to finish off the match as there side squeezed up allowing Epsom's Hough, Heuston and Burns to flick balls on into each other's paths which in turn allowed the rest of the midfield to squeeze up but Merstham's defence seemed to be in tow to prevent any dangerous balls into the box. Epsom allowed Merstham two further opportunities in the closing minutes of the half, a deep cross to the back post was headed clear by Charlie West, the ball falling to Chris Read to bend his shot wide of the far post from just inside the box on 41 minutes and Kevin Lock was on the end of a corner on 44 minutes with a header that was high. Epsom made a defensive switch at half-time with Ollie Dicks coming on for Matt Chapman. Merstham won an early corner on 47 minutes but Charlie West rose the highest on the edge of the six yard box to powerfully clear the ball out of the Epsom box. Games can swing within seconds and this certainly was the case on 51 minutes, a probing ball by Ross Shoefield into the path of Kyle Hough saw the Epsom midfielder racing shoulder to shoulder with Merstham's Joe Hill on the left wing, Hill managing to loose his footing to allow Hough to collect the ball unopposed and bring it to the edge of the Merstham box before hitting a shot that found the smallest gap between Merstham keeper Ian Chatfield and the inside of his near post - the home management loudly claiming that Hough had pushed Hill as the ball had been played as Epsom celebrated. Merstham suddenly tensed up as the remaining forty minutes of the half were entertaining and a barn storming affair. The majority of the pattern of play was Merstham launching long balls into the edge of the area, Dicks, West, Rodrigues and Hatfield putting in blocking challenges, the loose balls finding Shoefield and Hayward to run the ball back out of our half and swing balls out to the wings for Moran and Hough to cross the balls into the box trying to find either Heuston/Pero or Burns but most often finding either Chatfield's gloves or cut out by a home defender. Agymei was the first Merstham player to receive an opening by the Epsom defence on 64 minutes from a lay-off but a Charlie West block and an Alex Rodrigues clearance prevented the shot from creating an opportunity for the hosts. Glenn Garman who had come on as a sub found the ball at his feet off an Oliver Dicks clearance on 72 minutes, his effort from 25 yards out finding the roof the stand. Kyle Hough set up an opportunity on 78 minutes as he hit a curling ball from the left wing into the path of Adam Pero who had come on with 20 minutes left, his ball played across the Merstham box was just a couple of feet too far in front of a sliding Burns arriving on the back stick, any contact and Epsom would have been ahead. Although Merstham were peppering the Epsom box with balls in the final ten minutes, the only real chance was a ball knocked around the Epsom box that saw eight Epsom players in the box putting blocks in, a quick one-two seeing the ball eventually find Kevin Lock 8 yards out with only Harrowing to beat but a lunge by Charlie West put Lock off enough for him to hook his effort over the crossbar. Neil Harrowing came off his line after a chip and chase over Jamie Hatfield by Nick Greenhouse and did enough to put off the Merstham player as he ran the ball out of play. Niggly tackles in injury time saw the half extended by nearly nine minutes. Reserves fightback to win at Chipstead Epsom & Ewell's reserves were forced to dig deep to overtake Chipstead in the table with a 2-1 win. Kabby Singh unfortunately gave the home side a first half lead as he put the ball into his own net but Alex Liburd scored an Epsom equaliser from the penalty spot and Aaron Fakolujo sealed the win towards the end of the second half. Wednesday 20th February 2008 Epsom & Ewell Youth managed to pick up their first league point away at Gander Green Lane against league leaders Sutton United with a highly thrilling and entertaining goal less draw just seven weeks after being humiliated nine nil at the same venue. Epsom & Ewell were under the cloche for the first ten minutes as the home side burst out of the blocks with the first venture by Epsom into the Sutton half being registered in the thirteenth minute which showed the level of pressure soaked up. James Voisey saw an effort on 16 minutes from 10 yards out blocked by the Sutton keeper and he was gifted a ball in the 48th minute after the home keeper collided with one of his own players, Voisey rolling the ball just wide of the far post by inches. The grit and determination of the performance of the youth team saw them prevent Sutton to one effort on goal on 84 minutes that forced Jack Witts into an excellent double save with his legs and grind out a deserved point. Southern Youth League decision Epsom & Ewell have received communication today that the decision of the Southern Youth League over last week's abandoned match at Chipstead was not the fault of either club and therefore the match will be replayed. Tuesday 19th February 2008 Epsom & Ewell were yet again held to a draw, this time away at Chessington & Hook United. Epsom & Ewell started brightly and saw a James Moran header crash off the underside of the crossbar on 8 minutes, the loose ball falling to Robbie Burns with a bicycle kick that came off the post. Chad Heuston then managed to get his head on to a cross from the right wing on 11 minutes, the ball once again finding the underside of the woodwork. Epsom & Ewell eventually went ahead on 22 minutes, a deep probing ball saw Robbie Burns race away with only Mark Daniels to beat but a challenge from Robert Sheridan from behind brought Burns down for a penalty, the referee pointing to the spot but only giving the Chessington player a yellow card despite being the last man, Kyle Hough stepping up to send Daniels the wrong way but still required the post to assist the ball to find the net. Epsom & Ewell then seemed to become disinterested as the game faded, Chessington in the third minute of first half injury time managing to grab a scrambled equaliser off a corner with their first real chance. The second half was a dismal non-event with only one memorable event for each side, Robbie Burns on the end of a James Moran cross with a header that hit the outside of the post after 57 minutes and Chessington & Hook United thought they had scored on 82 minutes from a corner but a Paul Borg save and scrambled clearance managed to prevent the ball crossing the line. Saturday 16th February 2008 Epsom & Ewell were held to another league draw at home by Bookham at Merland Rise. Epsom & Ewell started brightly but found themselves a goal down on 16 minutes, a long goal kick by Dean Cupit bounced just outside the Epsom area forcing Paul Borg to come rushing out of his goal, but Chris Woodward left untracked was first to the ball to flick it over Borg to allow it to bounce into the empty net. Epsom & Ewell were then guilty of missing a gilt edged opportunity on 29 minutes, a short corner by Kyle Hough to Ross Shoefield for a deep cross into the box which was half cleared by Bookham, the ball falling to Charlie West to wriggle past two tackles to fire his shot from 12 yards out past Bookham keeper Dean Cupit, Robbie Burns deciding to leave the ball as it trickled past him either fearing he would be flagged offside if he touched the ball or assuming the ball was in but the visitors were let off the hook as the ball bounced off the post and away from danger. Epsom & Ewell found an equaliser from the boot of Robbie Burns on 37 minutes, Chad Heuston backing into his marker held the ball up on the edge of the area before playing the ball into the path of Burns to shimmy past the two defenders and fire a curling shot past Dean Cupit from 10 yards out. Epsom & Ewell two minutes later were awarded a penalty after Ross Shoefield was scythed down in the penalty area by Dean Cupit's over exuberance, Kyle Hough doing nothing wrong from the penalty spot keeping his effort hard and low but Cupit made an outstanding save to his right to push the ball on to the post and out for a corner. Epsom & Ewell found themselves ahead on 50 minutes with Ross Shoefield on the end of a flowing move to receive a laid off pass by Gary McLaughlin and hit a first time chip from the corner of the Bookham area into the far corner of the net. Epsom & Ewell then fell off to sleep due to a delay whilst Paul Borg received treatment for an injury received from a boot left in by a Bookham player as he came and made a save at the visiting players feet. Borg within a minute of being back on his feet was called to make an acrobatic save to his left off a Chris Woodward effort, the resulting corner being flicked out by a Bookham header to James Piercey on the edge of the area to fire a volley through the crowded penalty area into the net leaving Borg little chance of seeing the ball until late to attempt to make a save. The Jekyll & Hyde of Epsom of late was evident for the last half an hour - poor defending allowed Mark Jarman to fire a shot in at goal on 69 minutes from just outside the Epsom area forcing Borg to make an aerial save to his right to push it around the post. A quick counter-attack by Epsom on 77 minutes saw Gary McLaughlin play the ball into the path of Robbie Burns to hold off Daniel Oliver's attempts to get control of the ball, Burns knocking the ball into the penalty area just slightly too heavily which allowed Dean Cupit to race off his line and clear the ball just a second ahead of Robbie Burns' arrival. Sloppy passing and misdirected passes in our own half allowed Bookham to have the majority of the possession in the final ten minutes within Epsom & Ewell's half but poor finishing in front goal meant that the E's were able to hold on for a point. Thursday 14th February 2008 Epsom & Ewell's youth were denied their first win of the season at Chipstead this evening by the local police's intervention on 77 minutes. Epsom & Ewell had taken an 11th minute lead through Will Taylor who could have doubled the lead on 27 minutes except for last ditch defending to clear the ball off the line. Epsom & Ewell looked very comfortable to hold on for the three points when the large police presence which had been at the ground for an hour decided to enter the field of play to arrest four of the Chipstead team - as the home side had made three substitutions and only had seven players remaining the referee had no option but to abandon the match. The incident and a decision whether the result stands will be discussed at the Southern Youth League's meeting next Monday evening. Update 16/02 - Chipstead have informed us that all four players were released late last night without any charges being made Tuesday 12th February 2008 Bedfont Green snatched a 83rd minute winner to send themselves through to the semi-finals at Epsom & Ewell's expense. Epsom & Ewell were fortunate to still be level at the break after the visitors found the inside of the post on 29 minutes, the ball spinning clear for the E's to clear and Paul Borg pulled off an excellent save on 34 minutes to deny Adi Barrance. A through ball found Gary McLaughlin to run clear but a fortunate mis-kick by stand-in keeper Phil Merritt denied the Epsom midfielder the chance of rolling the ball into the empty net. Robbie Burns managed to stick his boot out to a Ross Shoefield cross on 50 minutes, the ball rebounding off a stunned Phil Merritt's chest as he did not know anything about it until it had hit him. Paul Borg at the other end made an excellent save to his left to deflect a whipped shot just wide of the far post on 63 minutes. The game seemed to be heading for extra-time until a mistake in the Epsom defence saw the ball squared to Steve Coultas unmarked to slot the ball home off the inside of the post from 15 yards out on 83 minutes. Despite Epsom's valiant attempts to score an equaliser, it was the Middlesex side that progressed to the semi-finals. Monday 11th February 2008 Epsom & Ewell's reserves battled out a 2-2 draw at home to Three Bridges this evening. Dan Jackson scored the opening goal on 9 minutes from the penalty spot after a hand ball in the Three Bridges area. The visitors drew level on 16 minutes with a well worked goal from 8 yards out past Ed Humphries. Three Bridges took the lead on 59 minutes when Kabby Singh was unfairly adjudged to have fouled the Three Bridges player by the byline, the penalty sending Ed Humphries the wrong way. Epsom & Ewell were awarded a second penalty on 69 minutes when another hand ball in the Three Bridges area was spotted by the assistant referee, Dan Jackson though side footed the ball just wide of the post. Epsom & Ewell who had worked hard throughout the match against third placed Bridges scored a deserved equaliser on 82 minutes, a corner being flicked on for Andy Amfo-Brobbey to stick out his neck to prod the ball home with a cushioned header from 8 yards out. Saturday 09th February 2008 Epsom & Ewell managed to grab all three points at The Orchard against Bedfont thanks to a 89th minute winner by Robbie Burns. Epsom & Ewell manager Lyndon Buckwell welcomed back to the starting line-up Charlie West and Ben Hayward but Kyle Hough was forced to pull out of the squad late on due to a minor illness. The match opened up slowly with the majority of the possession in the opening ten minutes being contained to the middle third of the pitch. Gary McLaughlin tried to unleash one his increasing infamous free-kicks on 13 minutes, the effort though flew just wide of the far post, Epsom's Robbie Burns connected with a header on 23 minutes from a Ross Shoefield corner. Paul Borg was forced into making a parrying save to his right on 34 minutes off a Jamal Da Costa snap shot, the loose ball falling to an incoming Bedfont player to smash the effort high and wide of the goal. The final minute of the first half saw a corner half cleared by Bedfont to Gary McLaughlin standing on the edge of the Bedfont box, his volley taking a deflection off a Bedfont player, Chad Heuston managing to get a glancing touch on the ball to divert it on to the outside of the woodwork. The first five minutes of the second half saw a flurry of activity at both ends of the pitch, Epsom & Ewell had the first opportunity on 48 minutes, Robbie Burns chasing down the Bedfont defender and then nipped it off the toes of the home player, although managing to bring the ball in towards goal he was unable to beat Bedfont keeper Dean Banks. Two minutes later on 50 minutes, it was panic in the Epsom area as Jamal Da Costa latched on to a loose ball in the packed area to hit a shot from 12 yards out against the foot of the Epsom post. Ross Shoefield managed to make a run from the right wing to cut into the box on 68 minutes and lay the ball back across the face of the six yard box but the ball was just behind both Chad Heuston and Robbie Burns. Gary Dennis was presented with the ball on the edge of the Bedfont box on 80 minutes, his effort lacked the required power to beat Dean Banks who made the blocking save to his left before completing the save by salvaging the loose ball ahead of Robbie Burns. Epsom & Ewell scored the winner on 89 minutes, Ross Shoefield nipping the ball off Grant Ambridge and crossing the ball which dissected the Bedfont centre backs for Robbie Burns to latch on to untracked to volley home from 8 yards out past Dean Banks, with Bedfont appealing for offside, everyone in the ground looked at the assistant referee who set off the half way line. Epsom & Ewell's Reserves
went down 4-1 against AFC Wimbledon at Croydon Athletic's Mayfields ground,
Epsom & Ewell taking a 3rd minute lead when Ben Radford was presented with the
ball by the AFC Wimbledon keeper who allowed the ball to roll away from himself.
AFC Wimbledon took control of the match as the game progressed to be 3-1 up by
half-time and scored a fourth scored in the second half. Thursday 07th February 2008 Epsom & Ewell had a spirited fightback in the Grant McLellan Youth Cup Quarter-Final at Dorking tonight but eventually ended up losing 4-2 after extra-time. Dorking took a 16th minute lead when a through ball saw the Epsom defence fail to clear the ball, the ball finding the run of the home striker to collect and fire home past Jack Witts. Epsom & Ewell failed to create an effort on goal in the first half and a change around at half time saw Epsom & Ewell come out in the second half and have a good go which saw them rewarded on 62 minutes, Chris Ashbolt managing to fire home. Dorking were awarded a penalty on 81 minutes when their player was brought down by Armand Gao Bi Ta. Epsom & Ewell were handed an extra-time life line when staring the exit door in the face, Max Rands volleying the ball home into the roof of the net from 25 yards out in the third minute of injury time. A blank first period of extra-time, then saw Epsom & Ewell reduced to ten men when Sam Braggins was shown a second yellow card with ten left and Dorking scored two quick fire goals to ease them into a home semi-final against Warlingham. Saturday 02nd February 2008 Epsom & Ewell managed to snatch a point away at Raynes Park Vale but the lower team-itis that has been hitting the team all season was evident again today. Lyndon Buckwell with six regulars out through either injury or suspension was forced into bringing in Dan Barham after impressive recent showings for the reserves for his debut and Sam Braggins from the reserves and youth. Raynes Park Vale should have been ahead on 7 minutes when a long range shot from the edge of the box by Dave Mosley forced paul Borg to tip the effort on to the top of his crossbar but they found themselves down to ten men on just 10 minutes, Marc Skinner going in for the ball with an uncontrolled two footed challenge on Oliver Dicks that saw the Epsom defender knocked off his feet. Epsom & Ewell took a fourteenth minute lead when Robbie Burns received a ball from Gary McLaughlin, then rolled his marker and laid the ball intro Chad Heuston to slide the ball home past Raynes Park keeper Matt May. Epsom & Ewell's lead did not last that long though as Dan Barham's attempted ball across the field trying to find Alex Rodrigues instead found Raynes Park's Marco Torino able to nip in and have a run towards Epsom's goal, Alex Rodrigues managing to get back to Torino as he entered the penalty area but was unable to stop his momentum as he clattered the Raynes Park Vale player to the floor for an easy penalty award; Torino stepping up and firing low past Borg tight into the corner of the net. Marco Torino was presented with the ball by Elliott Thompson on 32 minutes, the effort from 15 yards out seeing the ball rattle off the top of the crossbar, the loose ball being cleared by Sam Braggins. A mistake in the Epsom midfield on 37 minutes saw the ball picked up by Elliott Thompson to start a seven pass movement which eventually ended up with the ball arriving at Dave Mosley's feet just inside the box, his effort cannoning off the inside of the far post, bounce along the goal line to hit the inside of the opposite post and bounce back along the goal line to hit the first post and roll in. Ross Shoefield set up a final chance of the first half on 44 minutes when his cut back found Robbie Burns with a first time shot from 10 yards out that forced Vale keeper Matt May into a save to his right, the ball he managed to gather at the second attempt. The second half could be described mainly as a scene from the somme as the ball got stuck in the middle of the pitch most often with players trying to hack the ball out of the mud with very few opportunities in front of goal by either side. Raynes Park Vale should have extended their lead, a shot from the edge of the Epsom box on 62 minutes saw the ball hit the top of the crossbar and poor defending by Epsom & Ewell allowed the ten men to have a man over on 71 minutes fore a one on one, despite the shot by Marco Torino beating Borg, Oliver Dicks managed to block on the line, the remaining Epsom defenders of Matt Chapman, Alex Rodrigues and Sam Braggins managed to scramble it clear. Epsom & Ewell who had for the final ten minutes of the match managed to camp in the Raynes Park half for an alamo type onslaught and a reward for Epsom & Ewell occurred in the second minute of injury time when Kyle Hough's cross found Chad Heuston with a downward header from 8 yards out that spun inside the post to deny Raynes Park all three points which they would have deserved for battling for 80 minutes with only 10 men. Tuesday 29th January 2008 Epsom & Ewell had to settle like most of the other clubs in the Combined Counties League with Merstham winning all three points. Epsom & Ewell started the brighter of the two sides but it was Merstham that took a 13th minute lead slightly against the run of play, the ball being spread out to the left wing for Rob Hill to cut back in, go around Nick Drew and fire a low acute angle shot into the far corner of the net from 12 yards out. Epsom & Ewell tried to get back into the game and came the closest on 36 minutes, the ball crossed through the Merstham box managing to reach Kyle Hough arriving on the back post but the Epsom midfielder was unable to control the ball as it took an awful bounce as it reached Hough requiring him to use his head, the ball looping up in the air and popping directly into grateful grasp of Ian Chatfield. Merstham doubled their lead on 55 minutes, James Moran appearing to get fouled on the edge of the Epsom box by Kevin Locke, despite Epsom appeals the referee waved play on, Locke managing to curl his effort into the far top corner from 15 yards out. Merstham made it three on 62 minutes, a low cross from the left wing seeing Paul Borg get both hands on the ball to complete but Michael Morgan kicked the ball out of Borg's hands to tap home from 5 yards out which the referee deemed was legal. Merstham made it four on 75 minutes when the referee again deemed that a challenge on Paul Borg in mid-air when he had both hands on the ball was legal, the ball being headed out of Borg's hands which saw Chris Read roll it home from 6 yards out. Epsom & Ewell managed to score a consolation goal on 78 minutes, Ben Hayward's shot from the edge of the area taking a massive deflection of Chris Boulter's attempted sliding block to loop the ball past Ian Chatfield. Merstham faded badly in the final ten minutes as the extra-time on Saturday appeared to catch up with them as Epsom created two chances, Chad Heuston on the end of a Robbie Burns lay-off seeing his snap shot from 12 yards out blocked by Chris Boulter to deflect the ball wide for a corner on 82 minutes and Darren Smith slipped the ball in behind the Merstham defence on 86 minutes for Kyle Hough, the first time shot from a tight angle 10 yards out being blasted narrowly wide and high. Merstham deserved the win for their determination and level of hard work, the score line though was slightly flattering. Saturday 26th January 2008 Epsom & Ewell and Ash United managed to come out all square in a well fought game that presented few opportunities for either side in front of goal. Epsom & Ewell started sluggish as Ash were given three early opportunities to run at the Epsom side in the opening five minutes, but it was Epsom & Ewell that had the first real opportunity, Kyle Hough collecting a ball fed through by Ross Shoefield, cutting in from the edge of the box and hitting a first time shot from 12 yards out that beat Paul Fitzpatrick but cannoned back off the outside of the foot of the near post. The majority of the rest of the first half saw the match being played in the middle third of the pitch with the referee being over-fastidious with his decision making and the use of his whistle. Gary McLaughlin managed to latch on to a long ball down the right wing by Nick Drew, his cut back trying to find Robbie Burns on 36 minutes saw Ash's Dan Sales intercept with a crucial tackle to ensure the ball did not reach Burns. Kyle Hough's in swinging corner on 40 minutes found Dan Jackson jumping above his two markers to put in a powerful header which Matt Morris had to head off the line. Epsom & Ewell started the second half like a Eurostar train with a gliding passing move from the kick-off, the ball eventually being swung in by Nick Drew finding Darren Smith playing up front for the second half alongside Robbie Burns after the departure of Dan Jackson at half time, Smith had to stretch to get his boot to the ball and by the time he connected he was unable to get much power into his side footed effort which forced Ash keeper Paul Fitzgerald into a moderately comfortable diving save to his left. Gary Dennis gathered the ball on an overlap run on 60 minutes, after beating one player his whipped in cross bounced across the face of the six yard box, Kyle Hough managing to get his boot to the ball to drag it just wide of the post. Nick Drew's cross in on 62 minutes saw the ball just inches too high for Darren Smith to get his head on the ball, Gary McLaughlin managed to claim the loose ball and lay it back for Ross Shoefield to blaze his effort over the bar. Epsom & Ewell took a fortunate lead on 63 minutes that would have graced any goalkeeping blunders DVD, a throw-in by Ash's Simon Huggins back to his keeper Paul Fitzpatrick, saw Fitzpatrick with the whole of the pitch to find, unpressurised manage to hit Robbie Burns standing on the edge of the Ash box, the Epsom striker having the simplest task of rolling the ball home under the committed Fitzgerald from 12 yards out. Ash United self capitulated for the first thirty seconds after the restart as passes were misplaced but they found their composure again, as the first attack after the Epsom goal on 65 minutes saw the ball laid into David Johnston to hit a first time curling shot from just outside of the Epsom box that Paul Borg was unable to get anywhere near. Ash seemed to become rejuvenated by the goal as Epsom were pushed back for the next ten minutes, Ash forcing panic in the Epsom penalty area on 82 minutes as the ball was threaded through the Epsom back line, a cross from an acute angle trying to find Gavin Evans saw Alex Rodrigues forced to intercept, a scramble then occurring requiring Paul Borg to come off his line to slide in to claim the ball. Robbie Burns and Darren Smith had opportunities to gain all three points but tame efforts straight at Paul Fitzpatrick saw the game all square for a point which both clubs were happy to settle for as this was the deserved end result and it would have been harsh for either side to lose this match. 100 Club The first 100 Club draw took place this evening straight after the match, the Epsom & Ewell MP, Rt Hon. Chris Grayling who had watched today's match against Ash United performed the first draw in the Boardroom, congratulations go the following prize-winners: 1st 88
Wendy Collard
£18.60 The prize money was pro-rata as per Rule 5 - 31 tickets entered into draw. If you have not got your numbers yet, what are you waiting for? Download the application form which includes guidance notes here The draw for February will take place on the conclusion of the Combined Counties League match on Saturday 01st March 2008 against Cobham Monday 14th January 2008 Epsom & Ewell Youth lost 2-0 away at Croydon with a much improved performance than previous showings this season. Both sides had opportunities to open the scoring in the first half where the score line could have been easily 3-3 at half-time but Croydon sealed the win with two quick fire goals on 70 and 74 minutes to secure all three points. Saturday 12th January 2008 Epsom & Ewell made their second
trip to Berkeley Fields this season with the good memories of the 3-2 league cup
win earlier in the season but with the vivid remnants of the 5-0 league defeat
against Reading Town last weekend. Both teams were keen to try to keep the
opposition at bay, the only moment of note in the first ten minutes being Paul
Borg spilling a shot from 15 yards out that was quickly mopped up. Epsom had
progressively started to look threatening, and it was the E's that took a 22nd
minute lead when Kyle Hough was on the end of a ball that he fired home from 10
yards out through the legs of a North Greenford United defender, the North
Greenford keeper Dean Lindsay left unsighted by the presence of the defender
until the ball was running over the goal line. Epsom were denied a second goal
on 24 minutes when Robbie Burns and North Greenford's James Flether jumped
together trying to connect with a Nick Drew cross, Burns getting his head to the
ball 8 yards out with a powerful downward header seeing Greenford's keeper
Lindsay allow the ball to go through his legs and roll into the goal, the
celebration was cut short though and Lindsay's blushes were spared as the
referee deemed that Burns had used excessive force when trying to get to the
ball. Nick Drew played the ball into Darren Smith on 32 minutes to weave in the
box, with Dan Jackson in support the ball was crossed forcing Jackson to hit a
half volley from 12 yards out in mid-air that forced Lindsay to make a parry
save to deflect it over his own crossbar. A reckless challenge on 42 minutes by
Ben Hayward saw North Greenford awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box - the
free-kick by Sean Hillier curling over the Epsom wall, Paul Borg managed to get
his gloves to the ball but the spin on the ball saw it go through the Epsom
keeper's gloves. The majority of the early second half period saw North
Greenford camped in the Epsom half but resolute defending prevented a real
effort. A quick return by Robbie Burns to Darren Smith saw the Epsom midfielder
given the opportunity to chase the ball for a one on one on 63 minutes but last
ditch defending by James Flether with a sliding tackle saw the ball kicked out
for a corner. The game seemed to be ebbing out for a draw but was re-alighted on
85 minutes, a push and run by Kyle Hough saw him make a burst into the box and
then get bundled over by Chris Meddes as he was about to cross the ball for ,
the assistant flagging for the foul and then making a mixed message signal to
the referee whether it was inside the box or not, the end result after about
three minutes of discussion and argument was that of a free-kick placed right on
the edge of the box. Ross Shoefield's free-kick then resulted in more
controversy, a North Greenford player's boot getting in the way of the free-kick
seeing the ball spin up in the air and falling back down in the middle of the
six yard box, Greenford keeper Dean Lindsay and Epsom's Robbie Burns and Darren
Smith all underneath the falling ball, Lindsay trying to punch the ball managed
to miss it allowing the ball to hit Burns' forehead and Smith's chest to find
the back of the net - the celebrations were cut short again as the referee
deemed there must have been a foul on the keeper for Lindsay to miss the ball.
Paul Borg was called to make a fifth minute injury time block from a shot 12
yards out as Gary Senior rolled his marker to collect a through ball. The draw
was probably the right result in the end. Monday 07th January 2008 Epsom & Ewell's reserves first half display earned all three points at home to Raynes Park Vale this evening with a comfortable 3-0 victory. With the limited amount of time on the pitch from Saturday, Lyndon Buckwell decided to give both Ross Shoefield and Harry Holloway full 90 minutes in the reserves tonight. Both players were involved in the opening goal, Shoefield's corner finding Holloway on the back post to prod the ball home from 6 yards out. Neil Harrowing also being given 90 minutes was only called into action once in the first half as he spread himself to make Theo Getchev drill his shot wide of the far post after 11 minutes. The E's lead was doubled on 18 minutes, a Ross Shoefield through ball seeing Ben Radford latch on to it, flick it past Vale keeper Jason Arday and roll it home into the empty net on a tight angle from 10 yards out. Epsom made it three on 36 minutes, Matt Chapman's cross from just inside the Raynes Park half seeing Ben Radford and Vale's Lee Harkness both try to get their heads on the ball 10 yards out which neither were able to achieve, the ball bouncing on the edge of the six yard box and spinning past the outstretched reach of Jason Arday. Dan Jackson with a header and a blocked shot for Epsom and a header flashed wide from 6 yards out for Raynes Park Vale were the only notable events of the second half. Saturday 05th January 2008 Epsom & Ewell were never at the races as Reading Town picked up all three points with a deserved win at Merland Rise to inflict Epsom & Ewell's worst league defeat of the season 5-0. Epsom & Ewell officials had to work hard to get the game on after heavy rain on Friday evening but the referee passed the pitch fit, unfortunately that was the high point for the day as Epsom & Ewell without a game for the past fortnight looked very rusty against Reading Town who included a number of players making their debuts. The majority of the match was played in the middle of a heavy pitch, Reading managing to take a 36th minute lead with the first real effort of the match saw lack Epsom defending allowing a Reading player to have a shot from 12 yards out that was blocked on the Epsom line, the loose ball falling to Laith Aldoori to fire home from 8 yards out. Epsom & Ewell's only real effort occurred on 54 minutes, the intricate passing led to the ball being pushed into the path of Kyle Hough, his effort from 15 yards out forcing a parry save by Reading keeper Chris Grace. The final 35 minutes was the worse performance by an Epsom & Ewell side since Chipstead early last season, Reading managing to double their lead on 58 minutes when a cross was cut out in the Epsom box by two Epsom defenders but the ball inexcusably was passed straight to Reading's Ray Spence who rolled the ball passed a helpless Paul Borg. Two became three on 62 minutes, Gianluca Riccio intercepting a pass across the Epsom back line to send himself clear of the Epsom defence, with Ray Spence making a darting run shouting for the ball, the Reading midfielder instead hit a chip that Paul Borg who had come out to try to narrow the angle managed to get his hand to, but the ball still dropped inside the goal. More poor defending by Epsom allowed Ross Herridge to bag a brace on 76 and 80 minutes with two close range efforts. The reserves match against AFC Wimbledon in the Suburban League Cup was postponed with less than an hour to go as the match officials deemed that the Croydon Athletic pitch was not fit to play the match. Tuesday 01st January 2008 Epsom & Ewell F.C. and Epsom & Ewell Colts F.C. wishes everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Following the success of the Community Day last season against Bookham, the club are doing another one later this month for our match against Ash United, Epsom & Ewell MP the Rt. Hon Chris Grayling MP has left a space |