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Saturday 06th February 2010 Epsom & Ewell came back from just inside the Middlesex border with all three points in a 4-1 win set up by a rampant first half that could be compared to the second half away at Horley back in October and the first half against Walton & Hersham just 10 days ago. Epsom & Ewell with the departure of Dale Marvell during the midweek saw Matt Smith move into midfield and Richard Webber start at right back in the only change from the win against Bedfont during midweek. Epsom & Ewell dominated the game from the first kick, Ramzi Bedj-Bedj getting an early run down the left wing as he cut into the box and laid the ball back trying to find either Kyle Hough or Robbie Burns but only managing to find Charlie Hare to boot the ball out for a corner. Matt Smith came close to notching the opener on 5 minutes as his half volley from just outside the box only just cleared the crossbar. Epsom were presented with the chance to open the scoring on 9 minutes, a Ben Hayward flick on seeing the ball bounce into the path of Robbie Burns, the Epsom striker getting his boot to the ball to flick it past the home keeper Terry Buss whose glove tapped Burns' leg forcing the visitor marksman to lose his footing and leaving the referee no choice but to point for a penalty. Kyle Hough from the penalty mark executing a penalty that Hanworth keeper Terry Buss got fingertips to but the power of the penalty ensured the ball still thudded the back of the goal. Jamie Hatfield came closest in the next twenty minutes as his free-kick from 35 yards out after 28 minutes which was hit with pace and dip only just missed the Hanworth right upright by only an inch or two - one comment made by a long time supporter at half-time was that Hatfield's free-kicks are starting to remind them of the superb ones taken by our assistant manager Tony Coombe back in the late 1970's during his playing career with the club. Epsom persued further goals but every time the ball went into the home box one of the home defenders were able to clear the ball away from danger. The second Epsom goal occurred on 38 minutes as an Epsom clearance from within the visitors box found Robbie Burns just inside the Hanworth half within the centre circle get his head to the ball to flick it on, the last Hanworth defender forcing to lunge at the ball to try to get boot on the ball but he was unable to reach the ball allowing Kyle Hough to use his speed to collect the loose ball 40 yards out for a solo run to the edge of the Hanworth box from where Hough drilled the ball home under the advancing Terry Buss to double the advantage. Epsom midfielder Ramzi Bedj-Bedj who was busy throughout the first half wasn't going to be out done by Hough's solo effort as he collected a Jamie Hatfield pass down the left wing some 30 yards out on 41 minutes, his quick feet and close ball control seeing him evade two tackles before cutting into the box and from a tight angle finishing with a shot from 12 yards out that beat Hanworth keeper Terry Buss on his near post. The Hanworth side were all over the place and fighting with one another that allowed Epsom to exploit there weakness at the back on 44 minutes, Matt Smith making use of angles to put the ball into Kyle Hough's path, two Hanworth defenders and their keeper all charging towards Hough but the midfielder having taken the ball away from goal managed to knock the ball past the attempt of Hanworth keeper Terry Buss to intercept, Hough passing the ball into the unguarded net from a tight angle wide right and outside the box. The second half was a different affair as the home side were able to re-group at half-time and changed their tactics to become more physical in the second half, unfortunately this tact saw ugly scenes ten minutes into the second half, Hanworth striker Ben Reed coming in with a horror tackle with a double studded tackle into Jamie Reive's ankle, as Reed re-gained his feet Charlie West gave him a slight push that saw Ben Reed think he was in a boxing ring portraying Ricky Hatton rather than a step 5 football ground as he swung his fist through what must have been nearly 270 degrees with a punch that left West with a suspected broken nose - Reed receiving a red for the tackle rather than the grevious bodily harm inflicted and Epsom surprised to see West shown a red as well. Hanworth Villa came close on 63 minutes with a shot that Borg managed to tip on to the bar, the follow-up from 5 yards out can only be described as the miss of the season but they got a consolation goal on 65 minutes as Matthew Baines headed home a corner. Epsom were denied a second penalty on 73 minutes as substitute Andy Amfo-Brobbey was taken out in the box from behind and Epsom were close to adding a fifth in injury time as a deep Richard Webber cross found Robbie Burns arriving on the back post with a powerful header that Hanworth keeper Terry Buss turned around his post. Wednesday 03rd February 2010 Epsom & Ewell's youth team ended tonight's Youth game at Merland Rise as 3-0 losers to Chessington & Hook United. All three goals for the visitors occured in the first half, a disputed free-kick was played deep into the home box on 8 minutes that saw poor defending allow the visitors striker to smash home the opener from close range. The lead was doubled on 22 minutes as a corner was headed home by an unmarked visitors player from 8 yards out and a repeat occurred on 31 minutes as no Epsom defender once again picked up the same visitors player. The E's given a telling off at half-time dug in and battled very hard throughout the second half but were denied any comeback by superb keeping by the home keeper and the post on two occasions. Club News Dale Marvell has decided to leave Epsom & Ewell F.C. to join Ryman League Division 1 South outfit Merstham F.C. - Epsom & Ewell wish Dale all the best at Merstham and thank him for his service to the club over the last couple of seasons Tuesday 02nd February 2010 Epsom & Ewell managed to claim the three points this time around as the replayed league match at home to Bedfont ended 2-1 to Epsom & Ewell. Kyle Hough opened the scoring for Epsom & Ewell on 6 minutes, his whipped in cross from 25 yards out on the left wing managing to evade all the players in the penalty area as the ball spun in. Epsom & Ewell left themselves playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Bedfont, the outstretched glove of Paul Borg and the crossbar ensuring Epsom went in with a half-time lead. Epsom continued to allow Bedfont to press the Epsom side back and it was no surprise when the Epsom side cracked with 8 minutes left, a close range shot finding the back of the net. Epsom were on the receiving end last week of an injury time heart braking goal but it was our turn to dish out a late winner, Robbie Burns in the fifth minute of injury time was on the end of a through ball as he managed to square the ball between the advancing keeper and a defender to put Andy Amfo-Brobbey in for the task of smashing the ball into an unguarded net from 10 yards out. Monday 25th January 2010 Epsom & Ewell reserves just two days after our exit in the Surrey Premier Cup were back in action this evening at a bitterly cold Merland Rise as the reserves gained another three points in a convincing 3-0 win against Godalming Town, the result lifting us back into 5th on far superior goal difference over East Grinstead Town and within two points of 2nd placed Woking and 3rd placed Merstham with 4th place Chipstead only one point ahead of Epsom but the Chips have played four more games that Epsom. Epsom took a ninth minute lead when our Brazilian youngster Junior (full name Antonio Carlos Roberto Junior Magallanes) fired Epsom ahead with a shot from the middle of the visitors box. Epsom should have extended the lead on numerous occasions, Gary Dennis running clear but his low drive from 12 yards out being tipped around the post on 12 minutes. Gary Dennis again was clear of the defence on 21 minutes but decided to played Andy Amfo-Brobbey in this time, his effort being well held by the Godalming keeper. Amfo-Brobbey saw his angled shot from 15 yards out flash wide of the far post on 32 minutes but made no mistake on 37 minutes as Amfo-Brobbey was provided with a through ball that he was able to run on to that gave the Godalming keeper no option but to come out for the ball but the Epsom player used his quick feet to skip past the attempted save to have an unguarded net to fire the ball confidently into from 15 yards out. A Ben Ward header in the closing minutes of the half off a corner was well held by the visiting keeper. The visitors tried to shore up their defence in the second half but Epsom continued to have joy in breaking through the Godalming back line but their keeper had to be in fine form to deny Epsom from ringing up a rugby score. Gary Dennis warming the keeper's gloves with an effort from 10 yards out from a squared Prince Nsiah cross on 48 minutes, Aaron Williams with a volley that the keeper did well to hold above his head on 55 minutes, Antonio Magallanes with an attempted copy of Sylvenho's goal in the FA Cup on Sunday that was deflected over the bar by the visitors keeper on 61 minutes and then a 30 yard chip by Magallanes on 67 minutes that only just cleared the bar. Epsom & Ewell managed to score the third goal on 73 minutes, Gary Dennis getting the better of a visiting defender to fire a shot across the visitors box trying to find one of three Epsom players, the power in the shot seeing the Godalming keeper only able to block the effort with his legs as the ball fell to Lee Binns who had only been on as a substitute for only a couple of minutes to fire a low angled half volley from 12 yards out that managed to go through the legs of one defender and beat the despairing dive of the the Godalming keeper as he dived head long to his left. Epsom were so close to a fourth on 84 minutes as a corner was flicked on by Peter Solomon, finding Lee Binns standing towards the back post managing to use his forehead to deflect the ball goal bound, the ball shaving the outside of the post.
Club News Congratulations Lee & Lisa The club wish to congratulate Reserve team manager Lee Anderson and his partner Lisa on the birth of their baby girl in the early hours of this morning (12:40am) in Epsom General Hospital. Lee & Lisa have named her Jessica Rose who weighed in at 5lb 11oz, both mother and baby are reported to be doing well - despite being extremely tired, Lee made a quick hop up to Merland Rise from the hospital this evening to take charge of the reserve team in our 3-0 win over Godalming Town. Mark Jarman Epsom & Ewell F.C. have allowed Mark Jarman to leave the club tonight with the striker having decided to re-join Bookham to try to help them preserve their Combined Counties League Premier Division status. Jarman joined Epsom at the start of the current season where he made 26 first team appearances, with a return of seven goals scored including two important goals in our FA Vase win at Moneyfields in November. The club wish Mark and his family all best for the future back at Bookham. Saturday 23rd January 2010 With Epsom & Ewell's first team match at Farnborough against Badshot Lea postponed during the morning, attentions were drawn to the reserves fixture at Corinthian-Casuals for our Surrey Premier Cup 3rd round tie that has been postponed on numerous occasions but alas their King George V pitch was in fine condition to at last play the game this afternoon. Due to the strict competition eligibility rules and a couple of suspensions still trying to be served, Epsom found that they were restricted to a squad size of just 12 available players. Epsom not having played since 28th November were rusty from the start and found themselves go a goal down on 16 minutes as a diagonal ball found Jack Witts beaten to the ball by the foot of a Casuals player, the ball being squared after being played against Witts body for an angled shot from 12 yards out that beat the despairing goal line attempts of Prince Nsiah to keep the ball out. Things went even worse some fifty seconds later as a long ball from the kick-off saw Ben Ward and a Casuals forward go toe to toe, the Casuals striker 25 yards out hitting a cheeky chip that sailed over a stranded Jack Witts in the middle of his area and creeping in just under the crossbar. Epsom were able to reduce the arrears though on 26 minutes as Andy Amfo-Brobbey picked up a Ben Radford lay-off just inside the Casuals half, the E's midfielder going on a pacy run that saw him skip past four attempted tackles to burst into the home area to unleash a fizzing shot from 15 yards out that beat Casuals keeper Ricky Bowry at his near post. Epsom came ever so close to gaining an equaliser on 37 minutes as a diagonal ball found Ben Radford cutting in from the left wing, his cross was just over Lee Binns as Roberto Barcellona picked up the loose ball, his pin point cross in from the right wing being plucked out of the air by home keeper Ricky Bowry just as the ball was going to reach Binns to head the ball home from 8 yards out. The two goal cushion could have been re-asserted on the stroke of half-time but Prince Nsiah positioning on the post saw him manage to block and and then clear the downward header off a home corner. Epsom continued to pressure the home side from the start of the second half, Roberto Barcellona put in a dangerous cross from the right wing on 52 minutes, the ball flashing some three inches over the top of Lee Binns head. Andy Amfo-Brobbey who scored a brace in the league meeting back in September nearly achieved the same feat again this afternoon on 58 minutes as he went on another run after collecting a Durmus Karapinar threaded ball into his path as he darted in from the left wing, the midfielder drawing Casuals keeper Ricky Bowry off his line but Amfo-Brobbey managed to drag the final effort from 12 yards out wide of the far post by millimetres. Epsom looked the more likely to score the next goal but the tie was sealed for the hosts on 71 minutes with a crucial third goal that occurred in a blink of an eye, at the time Epsom had Russelle Williams off the pitch having suffered severe cramp but the referee decided to re-start the match despite Epsom's attempt to make the substitution, the ball being played from the halfway line over the top of the Epsom defence, Jack Witts came racing off his line but the home striker was first to the ball to flick it past Witts and roll it home into an empty net. Lee Binns was provided the ball some 10 yards out on 84 minutes by a Ben Radford lay-off but the ball did not sit up for a clean shot to be executed, the effort being blocked by a home defenders boot that sent the ball out for a corner. Epsom were denied a penalty in injury time for a cynical foul by former E's player Harry Holloway on Andy Amfo-Brobbey but if the referee had pointed to spot and we had converted, it would have only been a mere consolation goal. Saturday 16th January 2010 Epsom & Ewell bowed out of the FA Carlsberg Vase with a 3-2 reverse at Long Buckby this afternoon. Following pitch inspections throughout Friday and this morning a depleted squad made the trip around the M25 and up the M1 to Northamptonshire. Epsom & Ewell saw Ross Shoefield (Groin) and Ben Hayward (suspension) both making the trip but were unavailable for selection as Epsom & Ewell manager Lyndon Buckwell named himself as a substitute and included in the starting line-up Alex McGregor as the only change from our last game at home to Banstead Athletic in place of the suspended Hayward. The game started with Epsom & Ewell on the attack and within 35 seconds of the start, the visitors were denied a penalty when Robbie Burns was bundled in the home box, the referee playing on and later saying that Burns had in fact fouled the home defender in the moments before in the lead up to the Eposm striker being put on the deck. Both sides were eager to test the opposition out as the next few minutes were a coy affair as neither team tried to show their hand, but it was Epsom that gained the early advantage as a threaded ball by Dale Marvell saw Kyle Hough run on the ball, as he tried to cut inside the Long Buckby defender was clumsy to thrust his knee with Hough's leg seeing the Epsom midfielder crumble to the floor like a sack of potatoes just inside the box leaving the referee no option to point to the spot. Kyle Hough jumping up to send the home keeper the wrong way as the spot kick was inch perfect to go in firmly off the foot of the post. The turning point of the match occurred on 18 minutes, a deep cross into the Epsom box saw Paul Borg seem to claim the ball with both hands, the momentum of Long Buckby's Dan Holman seeing the home striker collide with Borg, the Epsom keeper's arm being thrust backwards forcing the ball to come loose and roll into the net. The assistant referee having raised his flag for the foul on Borg was over ruled by the referee, the home crowd seemed stunned and surprised the goal was allowed to stand as the home fans were rather mute in celebration. This goal seemed to knock Epsom off their stride well into the second half although Epsom looked comfortable with the attacks of the Long Buckby side until five minutes before the break, a cross from the right wing seeing an unmarked Ben Foster able to get a powerful angled header at the Epsom goal from 6 yards out, he had turned around celebrating only to turn back when none of his team mates were joining him to see the ball was behind the goal as Epsom keeper Paul Borg pulled off a one handed save to thrust the ball over the bar on 40 minutes. A snap shot on 43 minutes from 25 yards out by Dan Quigley catching Paul Borg by surprise, the ball being spilled to Dan Holman who fired the ball home only to see that the assistant had his flag raised for offside, the warning bells were not heeded though as within 40 seconds the ball had been threaded into the Epsom box from the left wing, Borg being beaten to the ball by Dan Holman who slipped the ball across to Long Buckby captain Richard Bunting to slot home despite the attempts of Charlie West on the goal line to keep it out. Epsom & Ewell started the second half on the back foot as the majority of the first ten minutes saw the Long Buckby team camped just inside the Epsom half, but it was the visitors that set up the home side's third goal on 57 minutes, a Richard Webber attempted clearance on the edge of the centre circle cannoning off the back of an unfortunate Epsom player (believed to be Dale Marvell but may have been Charlie West or Jamie Reive), the ball flying to Craig Kelly to go on a run down the left wing and cut into the box, Paul Borg was off his line quickly but Kelly managed to slip the ball past Borg into the path of Dan Holman to finish from 6 yards out despite the attempts of both Jamie Reive and Charlie West to block the Long Buckby marksman's shot. The Epsom & Ewell management decided to throw Mark Jarman on immediately after the surrender of the third Long Buckby goal in place of Matt Smith, the Epsom side then looked more threatening as the impact of Jarman up front gained immediate impact, within three minutes he had made his presence known by tangling with the home keeper and a centre back in fair challenges. Jarman managed to collect a long ball over the top of the Long Buckby defence on 68 minutes, his first time effort on an angle from 12 yards out forcing Long Buckby keeper Olly Urquart into deflecting the ball into his own side netting. Long Buckby should have been well out of sight on 73 minutes as Ben Foster picked up a threaded pass, his effort from 12 yards out coming back off the post allowing Epsom to pick up the ball and perform a long clearance from defence seeing a cavalry charge by Dale Marvell, Mark Jarman & Robbie Burns. With only the Long Buckby centre back in position, Josh Urquart thought it was safest to pass the ball back to his keeper Olly Urquart, unfortunately the Long Buckby keeper on the edge of his own six yard box lost his footing seeing him fall backwards as the ball approached and was then left helpless as the ball trickled some 5 yards wide of him, the ball looked destined to roll over the goal line into the empty net for what would have been one of the most bizarre own goals but Robbie Burns had made a lung bursting run seeing him get his boot to the ball centimetres from the goal line to claim the goal. The final fifteen minutes were a barn storming affair played in progressively gloomy fog, Epsom were nearly level on 78 minutes as Dale Marvell threaded a ball into Kyle Hough's path, the Epsom midfielder cutting in from the right wing to hit a first time angle drive from 12 yards out, Long Buckby keeper Olly Urquart getting glove on the ball to deflect it agonisingly wide of the far post. Dan Holman should have completed his hat-trick and sealed the win on 84 minutes as he had only Borg to beat one-on-one but he fluffed his attempted effort straight to a grateful Borg. A scene from the Somme in the home penalty area on 85 minutes saw Jamie Hatfield float the ball into the home box, both Mark Jarman and Kyle Hough had attempted shots in the muddy penalty area but on both occasions Long Buckby players boots blocked on the edge of the box. A floated ball in from the right wing by Richard Webber on 89 minutes saw the ball manage to evade everyone although Robbie Burns was not that far away from keeping the ball in play. The second minute of injury time saw a wayward attempted clearance by Long Buckby's Olly Wilkinson fired straight at Charlie West standing on the edge of the home box - by this time he was playing up front as a third striker - the ball being squared to Kyle Hough who managed to get past one defender but he was then crowded out by an additional two Long Buckby defenders. Epsom & Ewell's final chance occurred in the fourth minute of injury time, an inswinging Dale Marvell corner was only half cleared by Long Buckby straight to Alex McGregor who tried to repeat his effort away at Horley earlier this season from just outside the penalty area but this time the ball flew high and wide. Tuesday 12th January 2010 The delayed December 2009 draw took place today at Goals Tolworth 1st
67 Richard Lambert Tuesday 15th December 2009 Epsom & Ewell beat landlords Banstead Athletic 2-0 in a rather drab non-descript affair at Merland Rise tonight. Both sides required the first 45 minutes just to get use to the bitterly cold weather conditions in one of the closest half's of the landlords v tenants matches in recent seasons, Epsom though stepped up a gear in the second half and brought a cheer from the home side's supporters huddled together for warmth in the covered stand behind the goal on 64 minutes, Robbie Burns getting possession of the ball off an away defender inside the landlords box and had plenty of space to attempt to walk the ball into the net himself as he had already half rounded the keeper but he decided to pass the ball onto Matt Smith arriving unmarked to fire low into net from 12 yards out. The game was sealed on 80 minutes as the Banstead keeper gave Burns a very early Christmas present, the landlords keeper's attempted punch only finding the boot of Burns to volley the ball back home from 12 yards Saturday 12th December 2009 Epsom & Ewell scored 3 goals for
the 3rd successive game on Saturday. Poor defending however saw them concede 4
goals against a fired up Egham team! Tuesday 08th December 2009 With both Epsom & Ewell and Chertsey Town winning their respective ties in the F.A. Vase 3rd Round in extra-time on Saturday, fate brought both club's together for the Surrey Senior Cup 2nd Round tie played at Merland Rise tonight. Both managers decided to rest some of their players after both sides played on heavy pitches on Saturday. Epsom had the first opportunity on 4 minutes as Mark Jarman was thread a pass, Jarman's low effort from 10 yards out was blocked by Chertsey keeper Liam Stone who had come off his line to spread himself. The first half an hour saw Chertsey as the more dominant team but they were only able to get the ball to within five yards of the edge of the Epsom box before the home defence mopped up the visitors attacks to clear the ball. The only time that the Chertsey side had a real chance occurred on 29 minutes as a defensive slip allowed Steve Goddard in with only Paul Borg to beat, the Epsom keeper smartly off his line to narrow the angle and spread himself, Goddard managed to get a feeble shot away that Borg was able to get glove to to try to palm it away from goal but the ball ran loose to find a tacky part of the area some 12 yards out but Goddard reaching the ball suddenly found the ball and his feet tangled, his eventual shot can only be described as a scuff which travelled slowly and was blocked by the right ankle of the Epsom covering defender Charlie West on the edge of the six yard box. The let off for Epsom was the turning point in the match as Epsom took the match to the visitors for the remainder of the match, Dale Marvell hitting a volley from 20 yards out that flashed wide of the far post by inches on 37 minutes. Kyle Hough on a run down the Epsom left wing outpaced his marker and cut into the box on 43 minutes, his low cross finding the incoming Mark Jarman to guide an angled shot wide of Chertsey keeper Liam Stone high into the net from 6 yards out. Epsom & Ewell buoyed on from the win on Saturday and being ahead at half-time looked fresher in comparison to the visitors from the start of the second half, Kyle Hough on an overlap created the first chance in the second half as he laid a ball into Dale Marvell, the Epsom midfielder's powerful shot from just inside the box on 54 minutes forcing Liam Stone into making a save to his right which he made look more comfortable than it actually was. Mark Jarman was inches away from connecting with another Kyle Hough cross on 61 minutes. Epsom's nice intricate play on 64 minutes saw the ball workied into the visitors box, Mark Jarman stepping over the ball near the by-line to deceive the on rushing Liam Stone, the Chertsey keeper's effort trying to spread himself on a wet pitch seeing him unable to slide into the back leg of Jarman who was sent tumbling to the ground. Kyle Hough stepping up to send Stone the wrong way as he executed a precise finish with no more than ¼ inch between ball and post as it crossed the goal line. Epsom with a two goal cushion stepped up a gear in the pouring rain as chance after chance started to occur. Kyle Hough's cross on 66 minutes seeing the ball find Jarman, the speed of the ball arriving through the box seeing Jarman unable to do anything except get something in the way, the Epsom striker managing to get his knee in the way as the ball flew towards the top corner but Liam Stone in the visitors goal performed an instinctive reaction save to deny Epsom the third goal. A Matt Smith cross on 71 minutes saw the ball evade a crowded area, Charlie West lingering at the back post was in optimum position to receive the ball but the last second part of the swirling wind and the awkward bounce off the soft pitch took the ball away from the centre-back's position. Substitute Robbie Burns was just inches away from getting his head on the ball after 77 minutes off another whipped in cross by Kyle Hough but he was in the idea spot on 81 minutes as he collected a Dale Marvell lay-off, Burns hitting a first time effort from 15 yards out that Chertsey keeper Liam Stone managed to get both gloves on the ball but the power in the shot and the precipitation on the ball seeing Burns' effort appearing to go straight through Stone as the ball was still travelling at speed as it hit the back of the net. Chertsey knew they were a beaten side as the now rampant Epsom still had chances to extend the lead further, Burns picking up the ball on the Epsom right wing on 85 minutes noticed Stone off his line, as he tried an audacious chip from 25 yards out that nearly resulted in the fourth goal - Stone being forced to back peddle and push the ball out from nearly underneath his own crossbar. Jamie Hatfield had the final effort as he cut in from the left wing to hit a powerful curling shot from just inside the left side of the visitors box, the ball flashing no more than ½ inch wide of the far post. The final whistle seeing the home supporters clap the home team off the field for their performance which will see Epsom & Ewell entertain either Walton & Hersham or Whyteleafe in the 3rd Round. Saturday 05th December 2009 Epsom & Ewell reached the 4th
round of the F.A. Vase on a rain sodden pitch at Wellington in Somerset on
Saturday. The game lived up to the reputation of non-league football, providing
entertainment and excitement in a close encounter. Both sides had chances in the
early stages and Kyle Hough was particularly unlucky when his shot rebounded off
of the 'keeper's legs. Epsom found it difficult on the boggy pitch to play their
normal passing game. The conditions appeared to suit the home side, however, and
twice they came close to opening the scoring! Wellington came close on 16
minutes when Thomson headed just wide from a well taken corner. Shortly after,
Es could have taken the lead when Robbie Burns passed to Kyle Hough, but he
failed to take advantage of the opportunity. Hough quickly made amends for his
earlier miss after 23 minutes, when he was tripped in the penalty area -
he nonchalantly dispatched the spot kick to give Epsom the lead. Hough was
particularly outstanding on the left wing, he was unlucky not to have scored a
second goal when a shot from 25 yards hit the inside of the post and rebounded
out. In the second half Epsom had the benefit of a slightly sloping pitch and Dale Marvell shot wide of the right hand post, as the weather started to deteriorate. A fine pass by Ross Shoefield almost found Burns who was in space in the penalty area; however he was unable to get to the ball quickly enough. A good run and shot by Marvell was well saved by Ryan Lewis, the Wellington 'keeper who had a fine game. Paul Borg had to palm the ball away as E's were forced to play more in their own half. Wellington equalised after 73 minutes following a free kick, Will Gardner's header bringing the scores level. E's had to defend in depth as the home side pressed for a winning goal. Epsom tried to snatch a winner themselves and Mark Jarman came close when he was one-on-one with Lewis but failed to make the most of his opportunity. A dramatic end to the 90 minutes came when Paul Borg brought down a Wellington player in the penalty area; however the Es goalkeeper made amends with a superb save from the spot kick. At full time the game was 2-2 and playing in such conditions both teams were naturally showing signs of fatigue. In the first half of extra time Kingston shot wide for the home side having beaten the Epsom off-side trap. Epsom were disallowed a 'goal' from Burns as he was adjudged marginally off-side. Play swiftly moved to the other end and Borg tipped the ball onto the bar, moments later he made a diving save to push the ball around the post. In the second half of extra time Wellington forced two corners, Epsom's chances were limited, however a break by Matt Smith ended with him being tripped on the edge of the area - the referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Kyle Hough stepped up and easily put Epsom into the fourth round. After the match manager Lyndon Buckwell said ' I am proud of every one of my players, they worked their socks off and showed real spirit.' 100 Club Draw The November 2009 draw took place today in the Wellington boardroom at half-time 1st
21 Richard Lambert Sunday 29th November 2009 Epsom & Ewell Football Club have been chosen as one of the three nominated local good causes for the Waitrose Community Matters Scheme for the Epsom store during December 2009. The following information from Waitrose about the scheme is self-explanatory but the more tokens we get the greater share - the good cause box in the Epsom store is located behind the checkouts near the side exit. Waitrose Community Matters - We Support local good causes, charities and sporting organisations Waitrose Community Matters is a new scheme. Each month each Waitrose store donates £1,000 between three local community good causes that our customers choose. For example the money could be used to provide new goal posts or kit for a football club, ensure smooth running of a community project or just redecorating an old people's home. We need our customers help to decide who gets what. At the checkout, each customer will receive a token, just place it in the box of the good cause you'd most like to support. The more tokens that a good cause gets, the greater share of the monthly £1,000 they will receive.
Saturday 28th November 2009 Robbie Burns celebrated his return to Epsom & Ewell in style, at Merland Rise on Saturday, as Epsom completed a double over Horley Town with two second half goals having beaten Horley 6-0 away late last month. In the initial stages the match
showed little to compare with the game at Horley, as both sides struggled to
gain momentum on a greasy pitch. Although chances for either side were limited
but it was Epsom who took most of the initiative. Epsom's best chance came when
Kyle Hough hit his shot over the bar with only the 'keeper to beat! Horley took
advantage of this good fortune and looked certain to score, but were thwarted by
the lively Dale Marvell who cleared the ball off the line. As the first half
wore on the match became scrappy and this was probably due to the fact that
Epsom had not played a competitive match since November 14th. Reserves gain three points against fellow title contenders Chipstead (by Maryse Oakes) Epsom & Ewell's reserves bounced back from conceding an injury time goal on Wednesday with a convincing 5-2 win at Chipstead this afternoon. Epsom & Ewell only had to wait 40 seconds for Dave Jones to open the scoring for the visitors, Jones going on to score a hat-trick before harshly getting sent-off for alleged retaliation when his hands came up trying to defend himself from a second punch seconds after being hit by a punch thrown by a home player who also saw red as well as a fellow Chipstead player for his actions in the mass brawl that ensued with minutes to go. Aaron Williams and Ryan Augustine were Epsom's other scorers this afternoon. Wednesday 25th November 2009 Epsom & Ewell Reserves dropped two points with the concession of a 4th minute of injury time equaliser at home to Cobham in tonight's Suburban League South Division match. Epsom & Ewell took a 35th minute lead when Ben Radford collected an Andy Amfo-Brobbey pass to round the keeper and tuck the ball home - Ben Ward already having come close on 23 minutes with a clear header from 6 yards off a corner that clipped the top of the crossbar. Epsom had the chances to turn the screw in the second half as Ben Radford and Dave Jones both saw their respective close range headers miss the far post on each occasion by a whisker. Substitute Ryan Augustine was sent clear on 83 minutes, the young winger cutting in and unleashing a powerful low shot that looked destined to creep inside the far post but the Cobham keeper managed to get his knee in the way which was just enough to see the ball hit the face of the post rather than the inside portion and bounce just wide enough of the boot of the incoming Dave Jones. Naive defending allowed a Cobham cross into the Epsom box to find an incoming visitor player to flick home a header at the far post from 6 yards out in stoppage time, and Epsom who looked destined for all three points for the majority of the match nearly conceded a second in the sixth minute of injury time, a long range shot from 30 yards out beating Jack Witts but the crossbar came to Epsom's rescue. Monday 16th November 2009 Epsom & Ewell's reserves continued their recent form with a 3-1 win against Horley Town to complete the double after they secured victory at Horley earlier in the season. Horley coming into the match in fifth were looking to put breathing space between themselves and Epsom in sixth and they had the early flurry of chances in the opposition box but Epsom's solid defence prevented the ball from troubling Jack Witts in the Epsom goal. It was Epsom though that took the lead on 14 minutes as Dave Jones finished from the middle of the Horley area from a ball crossed in by Matt Chapman. Epsom managed to hit the woodwork twice more in the first half as the visitors goal had a charmed life, in comparison Jack Witts was having a quiet first half. Epsom managed to double the lead on 49 minutes, a passing move down the Epsom right wing seeing the ball played into Dave Jones, the Epsom striker looking up and deciding to play the ball diagonally back to the unmarked Ben Radford to rifle the ball home from 15 yards out. Epsom & Ewell built up a bigger cushion on 66 minutes as Roberto Barcellona having come on up front minutes beforehand as replacement for Ben Radford chased what looked a loss cause but he managed to get to the ball first and get his foot around the ball to square it for the incoming Dave Jones to hit a powerful first time shot from 15 yards out that the Horley keeper managed to block, the ball though running straight back to Jones to hit an even more powerful shot this time from 12 yards out that found the corner of the net. Jack Witts showed why he is one of the best keeper's in the Suburban League as he pulled off a spectacular save, a Horley inswinging corner on 70 minutes being met by a header that Witts somehow managed to get glove to to deflect it off not only the underside of the crossbar but then the inside of the post before youth captain Anthony Panayi cleared the loose ball. Moments later it was the Horley keeper's turn to pull off a spectacular save, a cross by Andy Amfo-Brobbey finding Dave Jones with a downward header, the Epsom striker doing everything right as per the textbook and he deserved a hat-trick but the Horley keeper diving to his right managed somehow to get glove on ball that squirming up to hit the inside of the post and bounce clear - Jones already starting to celebrate turned back to see Horley passing the ball out of defence rather than the ball nestling in the net. Horley scored a consolation goal on 78 minutes, Toby Gilbert hitting a curling shot from 30 yards out that dipped violently over Jack Witts and just under the crossbar. Epsom nerves started to jangle as a Horley player was first to a ball over the Epsom defence on 84 minutes, his first time effort from 15 yards out on the volley trying to lob Witts seeing the Epsom keeper get his forearm in the way, the ball clattering the top of the crossbar. Epsom came close to a fourth when Aaaron Williams joining up with an attack found the ball slipped into his feet, the midfielder's effort from 25 yards out taking a deflection off a visiting defender, the Horley keeper somehow managing to get his glove in the way to deflect the effort just over his crossbar. Saturday 14th November 2009 Epsom managed to grind out a 3-2 win away at Moneyfields to progress through to the FA Carlsberg Vase 3rd Round Proper. FA Competitions have in the past couple of seasons put fear and trepidation into Epsom & Ewell sides as the club have choked such as the exits to Chichester City in last season's Vase and Selsey in the FA Cup this season, then add into the mix the torrential rain that the South East has been experiencing since Thursday meaning we were expecting the game to be off but instead Moneyfields declared the ground fit early this morning. The journey down to Portsmouth by the Epsom team, committee and the few supporters that dared to venture out was starting to be questionable if it was going to be in vain due to the treacherous driving conditions on the A3 between Hindhead and Portsmouth that saw vehicle progress cut to just over 20mph at times. Frantic activity greeted our arrival as a late morning downpour had seen nature dump large puddles on the pitch, the referee from the eastern most point of Dorset on arrival at the ground wanting to play the match and after half an hour of frantic forking by the home team supporters and officials the game was declared on, and at the end of the day the referee's decision was shown to be the right one. Although the match was able to be played, Epsom players and supporters minds could not be stopped from being reminded of the Chichester game last season as the conditions were almost identical except for the far stronger gale force cross winds that whipped across the ground today. Epsom managed to see our minds turned back to Chichester and Selsey as early as the fourth minute, having already seen Ross Shoefield blaze over a minute before, the home side who had not scored at home since mid-September saw a ball played between the two E's centre-backs, the first time cut back seeing Richard Webber sliding in with Dan Gauntlett manage to volley the ball past Paul Borg from 8 yards out in an attempt to clear the ball. As the first half continued in swirling 75mph winds, Matt Smith was required to clear an effort off the line on 21 minutes and Dale Marvell's effort from 30 yards out on 25 minutes saw the Moneyfields keeper have to deflect the ball on to the crossbar. Epsom were getting more and more frustrated as corners and free-kicks were sent sailing directly out of play - to prove how strong the wind was, a Moneyfields goal kick on 39 minutes managed to get as far as around 5 yards out of their box before being buffetted back towards their goal line as Epsom gained a corner! Epsom having had a larger percentage of the possession throughout the first half gained a deserved equaliser on 42 minutes, Kyle Hough's pass seeing a home defender slip, Mark Jarman chasing what looked like a lost cause getting to the loose ball first to take it wide of the advancing keeper allowing himself to angle the ball into an unguarded net from 12 yards out. Just 42 seconds had gone by since the equaliser when Epsom took the lead, Moneyfields had lost the ball from the re-start cheaply, Ross Shoefield put a ball into the swirling wind seeing a Moneyfields defender misjudge the ball allowing Dale Marvell who was watching the flight of the ball closely to be in the right place to hit a powerful shot on the half volley as it fell back down from the skies, the ball with the assistance of the wind flying low past the Moneyfields keeper. With the wind no longer in our favour, the Epsom side knew they had to dig in deep for the second 45 minutes. Epsom were doing very well and controlling the game well until the 67th minute when an exhausted Matt Smith was required to be replaced by Jamie Hatfield, within seconds of the ball coming in from throw-in immediately after the substitution, Dean Blake 35 yards out hit a speculative shot that managed to get in the solent jetstream of the gale force wind which assisted the ball to move all over the place in the air leaving Paul Borg unable to get glove anywhere near the ball as it found the top corner. Epsom & Ewell supporters were fearing the worst and hoping that the side could hold out for a chance in extra-time but the visitors hard work managed to see Moneyfield's Danny Boyle allow Jamie Hatfield to intercept a pass on 77 minutes, Hatfield's cross finding Mark Jarman 12 yards out to bring the ball down but the Epsom striker lost his footing in the box with three home players around him, Jarman managed to still keep control of the ball though whilst regaining his footing as he was then able to turn one defender, beat a second and finish with a powerful shot past the Moneyfields keeper into the roof of the net from 8 yards out. Epsom & Ewell managed to hold out for the final 13 minutes with centre-backs Alex Rodrigues and Charlie West leading by example from the back, Moneyfields being left to resort to long range efforts in the final minutes which in the wind all swerved wildly away from the Epsom goal. It was disappointing that the game had to take place in the weather conditions that prevailed as both sides like to play football on the ground from some of the football on show when it was played on the deck but Epsom ground a victory out and will be in the glass draw machine (seen in last week's FA Cup live draw) when the third round draw takes place on Monday morning. Wednesday 11th November 2009 Epsom & Ewell's reserves cruised to an eventual 3-0 win at Colliers Wood this evening. Epsom went in at half-time a goal to the good thanks to a 37th minute opener from Ryan Augustine, the Epsom midfielder's low shot from wide of the Colliers Wood area skidded over the wet grass and straight through a crowded area as the home keeper misjudged the speed of the ball as it evaded his dive and crept home. Super sub Andy Amfo-Brobbey doubled the lead on 82 mins as the last home defender's clearance was rifled straight into the Epsom midfielder minding his own business who was presented with an unchallenged run into the box to round the keeper and fire into an unguarded net. The win was sealed in the 4th minute of injury time as Amfo-Brobbey flicked on a corner to find centre-back Prince Nsiah (he is known around the club as Essien for his resemblance and same playing style as the Chelsea player) to volley home from just inside the area. Colliers Wood United Res. 0
Epsom & Ewell Res. 3 (by Lee Anderson) Epsom wearing their bright yellow away kit started quite lively and should have got there noses in front inside the 1st half hour when a deep cross from Augustine was met by the falling Dave Jones who headed wide of the goal on 19 minutes, and Jamie Hatfield had a free kick that didn't test the home goalie on 24 minutes. Epsom continued to play the ball on the deck and from a short corner Hatfield played in Augustine to fire past the keeper from outside the box, the ball deceiving the keeper with a wicked deflection on 36 minutes. At the half time interval Epsom's players were given some simple instructions, which to be fair were taken on board regarding throw ins which was nice to see. Epsom's bench of Brazilian Junior Magallanes and Ghana's Andy Amfo-Brobbey were introduced during the second half - Junior replacing Augustine on 65 minutes and Amfo-Brobbey replacing Dave Jones on 78 minutes. Amfo-Brobbey got into the action 4 minutes later when the hosts centre back played a ball into the strikers mid-drift, allowing himself to burst clear of the other centre back before rounding the keeper to make it 2-0 to the visitors. By now Epsom were rampant and looked like scoring with every attack, such was there dominance. Epsom completed the scoring in injury time when another burst of electric pace down the left saw Amfo-Brobbey cross for the advancing right back Nsiah to shoot first time past the home keeper with a right foot finish. The platform for tonight's win was based on a strong defensive unit of Nsiah, Ward, Reive and Braggins who all did well. The midfield pairing of Chapman and Karapinar seemed quite at ease with the ball to feet and dictated for large parts allowing striker Ben Radford to be a thorn in the defenders side all night, so a good display sets us up nicely for Monday's home game with Horley who have won against no less than Merstham who are top and Woking who are second, so we hope to see some new faces at the ground on Monday night to cheer us on, weather permitting. Man of the match: Ben Ward - old school centre half performance with a no nonsense approach - 9 out of 10 Tuesday 10th November 2009 The Combined Counties League management committee at their monthly meeting last night decided that last Tuesday's match between Epsom & Ewell and Bedfont abandoned on 88 minutes must be replayed. Epsom & Ewell are still upset at the decision of the referee on the night to abandon the game when there was only two minutes remaining with sufficient light to complete the remainder of the game and are disappointed with the league decision but will have to abide by their decision. Saturday 07th November 2009 Epsom & Ewell must feel that
'Lady Luck' is against them at present; following their abandoned game last
Tuesday- they had the greater possession against Raynes Park Vale at Grand
Drive on Saturday and yet only managed a draw. Es looked impressive in
the opening stages; Mark Jarman had a close range effort turned around the post
and Ross Shoefield 'stung' the home 'keepers fingers with a fierce volley! Epsom
looked the classier side, but failed to make their possession count. Kyle Hough
and Charlie West both had good chances in the first twenty minutes, however a
combination of good goal keeping and misfortune kept the scores level. Epsom hit
the crossbar after 35 minutes, with a long range effort! Thursday 05th November 2009 Epsom & Ewell Reserves twenty four hours on from the 2-0 Surrey Premier Cup win over Sheerwater found out their opponents in the 3rd Round this evening as Corinthian-Casuals Reserves scored a goal either side of half-time before allowing their hosts Camberley Town Reserves a late consolation goal to set up a local match for the E's. This will be Epsom & Ewell Reserves third visit to Tolworth this season having already lost 2-0 in a pre-season friendly but managing to win the league encounter 3-0 at the end of September. Wednesday 04th November 2009 Epsom & Ewell reserves won their first Surrey Premier Cup match in 17 years with a deserved 2-0 win against Sheerwater from Combined Counties League Division One. Sheerwater appeared to be still in the dressing room from the kick off as Epsom & Ewell Reserves took the match to the visitors who were left bewildered by the way Epsom came out of the traps and it took just 102 seconds for Dave Jones to continue his recent scoring run as he managed to beat the visitors keeper from just inside the box. Epsom were getting rich pickings from attacks involving Andy Amfo-Brobbey, Dave Jones and Ben Radford as all three players pace frightened the Sheerwater side even when they had doubled up to try to stop the trio but their efforts were unable to prevent the E's players from riding the tackles easily. Aaron Williams saw a shot turned around the post on 23 minutes, Dave Jones forced another save from the visitors keeper on 37 minutes and Andy Amf-Brobbey put an effort into the side netting after bringing the ball in from the wing on 39 minutes. Epsom's neat passing movements on 41 minutes saw Junior Magallanes turn the ball on into the path of Dave Jones who made an immediate pass 25 yards out into the unmarked Ben Radford who beat the offside trap to take the ball into the box and attempt to round the keeper but the visitors keeper got over exuberant trying to get glove to ball that he managed to wipe out Radford's leg leaving the referee no option except to point to the penalty spot - captain Matt Chapman stepping up to coolly slot the ball home as the Sheerwater keeper was sent the wrong way. The visitors frustrations boiled over in the final minutes of the first half as indiscipline between team mates saw Epsom continually being given the ball too cheaply, a corner was nearly headed home by Ben Ward on 43 minutes trying to replicate Charlie West's goal some 23 hours before against Bedfont but the header flashed wide of the post and Dave Jones' effort on the stroke of half-time from the edge of the box forced the visitors keeper to push the ball around his post. Jack Witts was left a spectator for the first half as Epsom named four defenders but gained two more in the form of the two Sheerwater forwards who appeared to want to clear the ball for a goal kick or pass the ball straight to an Epsom defender. Sheerwater changed tact at half-time as they came out with the stereotypical Combined Counties Division 1 side of bullying the opposition but you can not adopt these tactics unless you can stay with your opponent which they couldn't do with Messers. Amfo-Brobbey, Radford and Jones so they eventually switched into passing football mode for the final half an hour where they started showing signs of being a Combined Counties Division One side but Epsom were rarely threatened by the visitors - Jack Witts allowing long range shots to spill from his grasp on 63 and 78 minutes, both times he was able to be first to the loose ball and Sheerwater hit the post on 89 minutes with a speculative effort from just outside the home box. Matt Chapman came closest on 79 minutes to adding a third as his curling effort from 25 yards out forcing the Sheerwater keeper into an acrobatic save to his right to keep the ball out. Tuesday 03rd November 2009 Epsom & Ewell were left frustrated whilst leading 2-1 this evening when the match referee abandoned the game with 2½ minutes of the game remaining as one of the three phases down one side of the ground failed meaning that only three of the five floodlights on each pylon remained alight, despite their being plenty of light still being thrown on the pitch the referee deemed that there was insufficient light to play out the remainder of the game stating Health & Safety for his reasons and after fifteen minutes of trying to reset the failed phase the referee decided to abandon the game. Match report by John Ward to follow Monday 02nd November 2009 Epsom & Ewell's youth team went down 4-1 at Krooner Park against a strong Camberley side. Epsom & Ewell found themselves a goal down on 13 minutes as the Epsom defence failed to close down a Camberley attack that saw the ball eventually prodded home by a spare Camberley player on the overlap. Epsom were level on 15 minutes, Lee Wilkinson getting the better of a Camberley defender to win a 50/50 ball and square the ball into the home box, two Camberley defenders had fresh air shots in attempting to clear the ball as the ball found Tom Porter to steer the ball home from 10 yards out. Camberley were back level though on 20 minutes, Ricky Borratt making his first mistake of the season as he misjudged a through ball by racing off his line only for a Camberley player managing to get boot on ball ahead of the young keeper to take it away from him, Boratt managed to force the home player away from goal but the eventual cross by the Kroons player seeing another home player manage to have the easy task of rolling the ball into an empty net despite the efforts of Anthony Panayi to keep the ball out. Camberley gained breathing space on 35 minutes as poor defending allowed the ball to find the incoming player unmarked to volley home from 10 yards out. Epsom pushed forward trying to find a way back into the match throughout the second half but the home defence held firm, while at the other end Epsom & Ewell keeper Ricky Boratt showed why he is gaining admirers and fans throughout the club as he produced a string of fine saves to thwart the hosts on numerous occasions. Camberley eventually adding their fourth on 76 minutes, a smart passing move of 2 touch passes seeing the ball land at the home striker's feet to execute an inch perfect finish as the ball was curled over Boratt and in off a combination of underside of crossbar and post. Saturday 31st October 2009 Es found themselves on the
defensive in the early stages of Saturday's match against league leaders North
Greenford United. Epsom keeper Paul Borg was forced to push the ball over the
crossbar the in the first five minutes. Reserves brush aside Crowborough (by Robert Oakes) Epsom & Ewell brushed aside Crowborough Athletic with a 4-0 win at the Crowborough Community Stadium this afternoon. Crowborough were taken apart with a goal blitz at the end of the of the first half, Andy Amfo-Brobbey chipping home from 25 yards out on 36 minutes, Dave Jones volleyed into the top corner on 38 minutes from the edge of the box and Amfo-Brobbey adding his second and the E's third on 41 minutes on a one on one. Ben Radford added the fourth with a half volley on 76 minutes. Crowborough Athletic Res. 0
Epsom and Ewell Res. 4 (by Lee Anderson) To clarify the information on page 15 of today's matchday programme, the kick-off time for the Surrey Premier Cup 2nd Round match between Epsom & Ewell Reserves and Sheerwater 1st XI that is being played this Wednesday night at Merland Rise is stated correctly on the website front page as 7:45pm. The reason for the later kick-off is due to (a) Banstead Athletic have hired out the reserve team pitch to Epsom Eagles for their training between 5pm and 7pm meaning we are unable to get on the pitch for warm-ups until 7pm and (b) Sheerwater asked the Surrey County FA and ourselves to kick-off at the later time as they were unsure they would be able to get enough players to Merland Rise for a 7:30pm kick-off. In addition we can also clarify that the match will be played on the RESERVE PITCH - Epsom & Ewell asked for clarification from the Surrey County FA as we were playing a first team side from a Combined Counties League club if the match was required to be played on the first team pitch, the Surrey County FA Challenge Cups Committee replying 'as the reserve pitch is acceptable to the Suburban Football League for Epsom & Ewell to play home matches in their competitions, the County Premier Cup matches should be classed as equivalent to a Suburban Football League match and played on the pitch that Suburban League matches are usually played' 100 Club Draw The October 2009 draw took place today in the boardroom at half-time 1st
08 Alb Bullen Wednesday 28th October 2009 Epsom & Ewell's youth overcame their Dorking counterparts at a foggy Meadowbank 5-1 in a bottom of the table clash. Neither side had registered a league win (but Epsom were of course 4-1 up against St. Andrews when it was abandoned last month) and coming into the match on the back of the cup win last week, Epsom spent no time in opening the scoring on 6 minutes, a cross being blasted home by a Dorking defender from 6 yards out - there must be something in the Dorking rule book when they play Epsom at home that Dorking have to open the scoring for Epsom! The visitors had a couple of opportunities to extend the lead before the second goal eventually arrived on 31 minutes as Lee Wilkinson was allowed to pick up the ball, beat the static defensive line and go on a solo run from 35 yards out as he coolly rounded the keeper and slotted home unopposed. With the ground suddenly engulfed with fog, Tom Porter was denied a goal on 42 minutes for offside but it appeared he was being played on side. The match officials were contemplating abandoning the match at half-time but decided to leave off making a final decision being made until the end of the half-time interval, to Epsom's relief the fog lifted enough during the 15 minute break to enable a clear view from end to end. Epsom attacked from the kick-off and won a penalty 25 seconds into the half which Tom Porter decided to strike straight down the middle of the goal, the Dorking keeper had not moved allowing himself to make a comfortable save. Epsom made up for the penalty miss on 48 minutes as Lee Wilkinson converted a cross from 7 yards out and Benny Eisenbeiss was on the end of another cross on 61 minutes as he brought the ball down 12 yards out, beat one defender and rounded the keeper to slot home from 7 yards out to make it 4-0. The fog descended rapidly with around twenty minutes to go seeing the final quarter an hour being played in conditions where visibility was down to 15 yards and the view resembling a victorian street scene where objects just appear from nowhere through the merky conditions, the players resorting to shout out instructions when the ball was played - if the scores were level the match would have been abandoned by now. Dorking scored a goal on 79 minutes, no spectators seeing the goal but the sound of home players cheering and then the noise of high fives conclusive that a goal had been scored. Epsom wrapped up the win with a fifth goal on 89 minutes, the visibility improving just enough to see Matt Wilkinson collect a squared pass and cross into the box for Epsom's centre back & captain Anthony Panayi to run on to the ball and fire home from 10 yards out. Tuesday 27th October 2009 Epsom & Ewell lost 4-1 at Ash United tonight - Epsom's goal on 63 minutes being scored by Kyle Hough from the penalty spot, there was nothing else to report for Epsom and hereby ends the match report! Monday 26th October 2009 Epsom & Ewell's reserves continued the recent form as they picked up another three points with a 2-1 win at home to East Grinstead Town. Dave Jones opened the scoring for Epsom & Ewell on 60 minutes as he collected a ball provided by Ben Radford. The lead was doubled on 67 minutes as a deep cross saw the ball headed back to Brazilian Junior Magalhaes to fire low into the net from 12 yards out. The visitors pulled a goal back in injury time with a header from 8 yards, the East Grinstead striker some four yards offside when the cross was played. Saturday 24th October 2009 Epsom & Ewell made amends for
recent losses by thrashing Horley Town 6-0 at The New Defence ground on
Saturday. Such was their dominance, the Horley defence were left bewildered by
the pressure they were under throughout the game. Prior to the match the home
side had only been beaten once this season! At the start of the second half Epsom resisted any temptation to rest on their laurels, and continued to press forward. Burns played a lovely pass to Ramzi Bedj-Bedj in the 49th minute who fired the ball into the back of the net. Epsom's midfield played with pace and accuracy and Es made the score 4-0 when Dale Marvell beat a static defence to add to the home side's woes. Burns almost made the score 5-0 when he latched onto a cross from Marvell but the shot was well saved! Although they continued to attack, Epsom were also stong in defence with skipper Alex Rodrigues particularly outstanding. Horley did come close to pulling a goal back, when Paul Borg in the Epsom goal was forced to tip the ball over the bar. However the Horley defence were once again at sixes and sevens when Mark Jarman hit the underside of the bar, and the ball bounced clear. Alex McGregor continued the rout on the 71st minute with a peach of a shot that had the home 'keeper stranded; he doubled his tally just before full time when he headed home a Ross Shoefield cross in the closing minute. Wednesday 21st October 2009 Epsom & Ewell Youth team picked up their first win of the season with a 2-0 win at home to Chertsey Town in the Grant McLellan Youth Cup 1st Round. With the first team being knocked out of their league cup last night, the Youth team were competing in the Grant McLellan Youth Cup which is the Combined Counties League Cup for Youth teams of member clubs. The youth team built on their recent performances and on the 4-1 defeat inflicted just three weeks ago at the hands of Chertsey at their Alwyns Lane ground as the youth team dominated their first home match since the abandonment to St. Andrews at the end of September but were left frustrated at half-time as the better chances had fallen to Epsom but the ball had not been put into the back of the net. Epsom & Ewell eventually took the lead on 63 minutes as recent signing Benny Eisenbeiss executed a deftly lifted chipped ball from 15 yards out wide in the Chertsey box that caused Chertsey keeper Tom Webb severe difficulties as it was dropping just under the bar and coming out of the floodlight pylons, Webb managing to deflect the ball on to his post but the ball ran loose to Tom Porter to walk the ball into the net from 2 yards out. Epsom gained a valuable two goal cushion on 67 minutes, Lee Wilkinson picking the ball up some 30 yards out from goal, his shot catching Chertsey keeper Tom Webb on his heels as the ball arrowed over the young Curfews keeper on the edge of his 6 yard box and crept home just under the crossbar - the goal probably just as good or possibly even better than Ramzi Bedj-Bedj's goal at Wealden in the FA Cup. Epsom & Ewell's defence growing in confidence with each match reduced Chertsey to only two attempts at goal in the remaining twenty odd minutes, Ricky Borat pulling off two fine stops to deflect the ball wide of goal on both occasions. Epsom comfortably managed to see out the match to record their first win of the season. Tuesday 20th October 2009 Epsom & Ewell exited from the EL Records Premier Challenge Cup stage left with a 1-0 defeat. The match took a familiar journey to the matches this season against Selsey, Colliers Wood United, Cove, Molesey and now add to that list North Greenford United as Epsom came to regret not putting away chances that had been created. Epsom & Ewell shooting down the slope first half had the majority of the possession as the first half saw Epsom camped in the hosts half, a mix-up in the North Greenford United defence on 13 minutes saw the ball knocked past the home keeper Gary Jallow, Robbie Burns managing to close down the home keeper trying to recover to gain possession, Burns managing to turn a clip the ball back into the middle of the box for Mark Jarman who shot wide of the post from 12 yards out. Ramzi Bedj-Bedj (twice), Alex McGregor and Kyle Hough all had shots during the first half from the edge of the Greenford box that failed to trouble the home keeper. The closest the match came to witnessing a goal in the first half seeing a 37th minute shot from 25 yards out evading Paul Borg but the ball smacked the crossbar and Borg was forced to make a one handed reaction save to his left on 44 minutes to deflect a low shot that threatened to curl into the corner of the net. Epsom had the early pressure in the opening exchanges of the second half and should have taken a deserved lead on 53 minutes when Robbie Burns was presented with the ball, the Epsom forward held off one attempted tackle to fire a shot at the home goal from 12 yards out, the ball somehow missing the far post by no more than three coats of paint on the goal post. North Greenford then stepped up a gear, Alex Rodrigues was forced to perform a sliding tackle that was inch perfect to deny Luc Kenny a one on one against Paul Borg, if Rodrigues had not timed the tackle he would have conceded a penalty for the second match running. Epsom keeper was forced to pull off a one handed flying save on 59 minutes to tip a rising shot from 15 yards out over the bar, the save bringing memories back of his heroics in the League Cup two season ago on the same ground. North Greenford were gifted what turned out to be the winning goal on 61 minutes, Charlie West shouting information to Paul Borg for an intended back pass, West passing the ball back towards the Epsom goal for an anticipated clearance by Borg but the Epsom keeper had come racing off his line inexplicably as he tried to smoother the ball with an attempted sliding save but the ball managed to creep under his body straight to a grateful Ryan Welsh to walk the ball into the unguarded net. Epsom could have easily been out of the game on 67 minutes as a thunderbolt of a shot from 20 yards out managed to beat Paul Borg but the ball hit the crossbar, the ball bouncing down on the line and back out, North Greenford's Luc Kenny first to the ball with a header that was blocked by Richard Webber but with the help of his arm it appeared - the raucous North Greenford supporters two appeals that firstly the ball had crossed the line and secondly a shout for a penalty both fell on deaf ears from the referee. Kyle Hough and Ramzi Bedj-Bedj kept getting balls in the danger area from the wings but North Greenford decided to defend in greater numbers trying to protect the one goal lead as the Epsom were denied many sniffs. The home side were forced to finish the game with 10 men for the final 6 minutes as goal scorer Ryan Welsh turned villian as he connected with a two footed tackle with studs showing on Jamie Hatfield - the home supporters voicing their opinion of the referees decision on the red card being shown. The hosts saw out the remaining time to seal their progress and make Epsom concentrate on our next game away to Horley on Saturday and hope that fortune repeats itself from last season, the team were having a poor run of results last September having been dumped out of the FA Cup and League Cup in the previous fortnight and had only just managed to squeeze past Saltdean in the FA Vase the previous Saturday, the team picked up a 3-2 win which was the start of 8 straight wins that propelled us to the top of the league. Saturday 17th October 2009 Epsom slumped to a second successive defeat against a well -supported Molesey side, at Merland Rise. The match hinged on two penalties; the first awarded to the home side five minutes from full time was hit by Robbie Burns, straight at Colin Harris in the Molesey goal. Molesey snatched all three points when Alex Rodrigues, committed the cardinal sin of tripping an opposing forward in full view of the match official! With the match deep into injury time, there was little chance for the home side to recover after that penalty and much to the chagrin of the home supporters, another three points were tossed away. Things could have been so very different if Burns had not been denied a goal in the first half thanks to a superb save by the efficient Harris. Epsom were forced to re-jig their line up when Ross Shoefield was taken to Redhill hospital after suffering a head injury. He was replaced by Alex McGregor. Molesey almost took the lead on the 23rd minute, however Borg made a point blank save; minutes later he was in action again tipping the ball over the bar from a close range header. The second half started with both sides showing attacking intent, although Borg was in action again when the ball was flicked goalwards. Epsom gradually ran out of attacking ideas, although Mark Jarman looked lively and tried hard to create something. Then came the penalty incidents! On current form Epsom are more likely to find the rest of the season an uphill struggle, as opposed to the expected promotion push they had hoped for. Paul Borg in the Epsom goal had made a number of fine saves throughout the game, and the final score flattered the home side!
Reserves get back to winning ways (by Lee Anderson) Epsom travelled to Molesey hoping to get back on the winning trail after last weeks loss to Raynes Park. Unfortunately for Epsom they conceded a very sloppy goal on 3 minutes as players were guilty of ball watching instead of picking up the Molesey attackers from a corner. Molesey, to be fair to them, dominated the opening 10 minutes by closing down Epsom at every opportunity. However, Epsom drew level on 17 minutes when left back Sam Braggins rode two tackles before being upended in the box for a penalty, which Nathan Ayling coolly converted. Centre backs Chapman and Prince, starting a league game together for the first time, coped very well with Molesey's number 9, who was built like the proverbial brick house! On 25 minutes Dave Jones should have scored but missed with a header with only the keeper to beat. To be fair to Jones, he made up for his miss with a cool finish on 45 minutes from a poor back pass. The second half started really lively for Epsom and Ben
Radford took on two players down the left before crossing for the energetic
Aaron Williams to convert at the back post on 47 minutes to make it 3-1. Goal
keeper Jack Witts produced a great reaction save on 55 minutes to keep the hosts
at bay. Manager Lee Anderson introduced two youth team players,
Tom Porter and Anthony Panaiyani, for Karapinar and Oliver-Pearce respectively,
and was impressed by the youngsters’ possession of the ball. Molesey's
frustrations continued to boil over and the management of Molesey had no option
but to bring one of their players off after continually trying to kick lumps out
of the impressive Radford. Epsom's possession in the last few minutes of the
match was a joy to watch, especially after eight passes, Sam Braggins audacious
nutmeg in the left back area, causing Lee, Trevor and John to roar with
laughter! Overall it was a fantastic team performance, especially after going a
goal down inside 3 minutes.
Ross Shoefield ... Update (by Robert Oakes) Ross was taken to hospital by the paramedic car that attended the ground with severe concussion after his first half collision of heads and the subsequent fall to the pitch where his head hit the ground heavily. The hospital checked him over and have discharged him during the early evening Wednesday 14th October 2009 Epsom & Ewell's youth team travelled back into the London Borough of Sutton for their second cup game of the season following on from the 5-0 defeat at Gander Green Lane last month in the FA Youth Cup as they faced Carshalton Athletic at Colston Avenue. Epsom & Ewell faired much better than the Sutton match last month but came away on the end of 3-0 defeat that flattered the home side. The hosts took a 12th minute lead as a pass threaded into the middle of the Epsom box saw a home player get the better of his marker to collect and fire first time under Samir Smail. Epsom keeper Samir Smail making his debut in place of the rested Rickardo Borat took his chance as he pulled off a string of saves and Tom Porter was forced to clear one effort of his own goal line as the hosts were held to only a one goal half-time lead. Epsom reshuffled at half-time and had the majority of the possession in the second half but resolute defending by the hosts denied Epsom a sniff in the hosts box, Samir Smail continued to impress as he made two excellent blocking saves to keep Epsom in the game, the hosts fitness eventually telling as they scored two late goals on 86 and 89 minutes to kill the game off. Saturday 10th October 2009 Epsom & Ewell left Cove's Oak Farm ground without a single point despite leading for the majority of the match as the E's slumped to a 4-3 defeat. Epsom & Ewell started the match with grit and determination as Robbie Burns had an early opportunity in the opening minute with a shot that was well held by Cove keeper Chris Foster, despite Epsom's early pressure they found themselves a goal down with just two minutes gone, a low shot with hardly any pace saw Paul Borg deceived as the ball hit a divot as it reached him seeing the ball move away from the Epsom keeper who got glove to ball but he could only help the ball on to the incoming home player to fire into an empty net from 10 yards out. Epsom were soon back into the match on 4 minutes as a Matt Smith corner was only half cleared, Jamie Hatfield floating the ball into the backpost for Robbie Burns to bring it down and square for Charlie West to fire home from 6 yards out. Epsom took the lead on 8 minutes, a Dale Marvell pass going through a crowded penalty area, Robbie Burns in the right place 7 yards out with his back to goal to collect and drag it backwards with his heel in one movement that allowed him enough space and time to turn and fire low past Chris Foster from 4 yards out. Cove should have been level again on 11 minutes, a deep corner found nobody marking at the Epsom back post, the Cove player getting a powerful header away but he was unable to direct the effort on goal. Dale Marvell attempted to fire home a Kyle Hough squared ball on 17 minutes, his effort from the edge of the area flicking the outside of the side netting. Epsom made it three on 23 minutes as Ross Shoefield sent Kyle Hough clear, the midfielder picking the ball up 25 yards out managing to hold off the two accompanying Cove defenders as he rolled the ball home under Chris Foster from 12 yards out. Poor Epsom defending on 32 minutes saw Charlie West allow the Cove player he was marking to nip inside on the front post to volley home a well worked free-kick from 10 yards out, Epsom keeper Paul Borg getting glove on ball but he was unable to prevent the ball hitting the inside walling of the goal. The first quarter an hour of the second half saw Epsom continue to be purposeful and pressure the home sides with a string of corners, Dale Marvell coming closest to reintroducing the two goal buffer with a shot from 8 yards out on 54 minutes, Cove keeper Chris Foster being in the right place to get both gloves behind the ball to punch the ball into the air for one of his defenders to clear the danger away from the in coming Robbie Burns. The complacency of the side came into the Epsom play once again as the Epsom midfield started to get dragged back into the defence for the final half hour as the service to Kyle Hough, Dale Marvell & Robbie Burns slowly dried up. The warning bells were sounding loud and clear with fifteen to go as two consecutive Cove corners were fired into the near post, both times nobody tracked the home player who got a clear header in unchallenged but on both occasions the header flashed wide. Cove got level on 79 minutes, the home side working the ball well down their left wing, the three Cove players queuing up on the edge of the Epsom box as they managed to get a a series of five shots away, each of these shots were blocked by Epsom defenders who allowed the ball each time to reach a Cove player, the loose ball on the sixth occasion being fired through Charlie West's legs and past Paul Borg who although dived was left unsighted as the ball found the far corner of the net. Cove wrapped up all three points on 88 minutes, a Cover corner saw Paul Borg have to react and punch the ball clear off his box, the ball was collected and squared into the edge of the Epsom box, the first time shot requiring Paul Borg get down to block on the edge of his own six yard box, Charlie West's attempted clearance going straight to the incoming Cove player to fire the ball into the roof of the net. Thursday 08th October 2009 Following the tense first round win against Farnborough North End last Saturday and the announcement of the F.A. Vase second round draw earlier this week, we face a trip to Moneyfields, but this will not be the first time the two clubs have met, on the 2nd September 2000 the first team travelled to Copnor, Portsmouth to play Moneyfields F.C. in a 1st qualifying round of the FA Cup - this was the first year that The Moneys had entered this competition. Although proving a useful side they were no match for our defence. The only current player remaining from that Epsom side is Dale Marvell. Dale proved to be a super sub as he replaced the injured Nigel Bennett in the 23rd minute and scored Epsom's winning goal on 81 minutes. Skipper Graham Morris already having scored from the penalty spot four minutes earlier. We will have to wait until 14th November to see if Dale can strike again! Match Sponsorship Epsom & Ewell are eagerly looking for a match sponsor for the re-arranged home league fixture against Bedfont on Tuesday 03rd November 2009. The cost of sponsoring the match is £35 but this includes admission for four adults to the match, complimentary programmes for each guest, a reserved seat in the stand for each guest and receiving hospitality in the boardroom an hour before the game, at half-time and for an hour after the full-time whistle. There is the opportunity to also sponsor the match ball as a separate package costing £15, the benefits are the same as the match sponsorship except the number of guests is limited to two persons. Anybody interested in sponsoring this or any other 1st XI, Reserves or Youth match should call Treasurer Rob Oakes on 07879 415411 Tuesday 06th October 2009 Epsom & Ewell's match at home to Raynes Park Vale managed to take place last night despite the swathe of Epsom Downs suffering a major power failure, and the Epsom side probably wished that the ground was in the affected area after suffering their first defeat in eight matches as Raynes Park Vale won 3-1. The visitors took the lead on 2 minutes with a shot that deflected past Jack Witts, the lead being doubled on 52 minutes when a long range shot deflected off Matt Chapman's boot, the ball looping high into the air and coming down just under the crossbar as the back peddling Jack Witts was unable to keep the ball out. Epsom reduced the arrears on 82 minutes as substitute David Jones beat the visiting keeper to a cross to head the ball home. The visitors secured the win with a superb goal on 85 minutes as the Vale striker collected a through ball and turned one defender allowing himself to lash the ball home past the helpless Jack Witts from 15 yards out. FA Vase Draw The second round draw for The FA Carlsberg Vase took place yesterday morning at Wembley Stadium, the new headquarters of the FA following their move from Soho Square last month. Epsom & Ewell were the last ball drawn out of the South East region draw and will travel down the A3 to Wessex Premier side Moneyfields on Saturday 14th November 2009. This will be Epsom's second visit to Moneyfields' ground on the outskirts of Portsmouth as the two clubs met on Saturday 02nd September 2000 in the FA Cup Preliminary Round, with the E's progressing with a 2-0 win. The home league match against Bedfont originally scheduled for 14th November will now be played on Tuesday 03rd November 2009 Saturday 03rd October 2009 Epsom & Ewell made hard work of their F.A.Vase match at Merland Rise on Saturday. Despite leading 2-0 the match went into extra time as Farnborough fought back. Epsom had the better of the first half, and should have lead by more than a single goal at half time; they took the lead when Kyle Hough scored with a solo effort in the sixth minute, his first goal since returning from a spell at Walton Casuals. Epsom looked at this stage by far the strongest side, and their accurate passing allowed the visitors little opportunity to build an attack. Hough almost doubled the score, but his shot from the edge of the area went narrowly over! Epsom were guilty at times of becoming complacent, and despite their dominance had to be wary of Farnborough counter attacking. Epsom continued to attack at the start of the second half, and came close to scoring on several occasions. Es suffered a blow when attacking midfielder Ben Hayward had to be substituted, and was replaced by Ramzi Bedj-Bedj. Es scored a second goal when Hough flicked the ball into the penalty area, and a prostate Robbie Burns somehow managed to perform a scissor kick from close range. Es 'Keeper Paul Borg was injured and had to be replaced by Neil Harrowing. Epsom gave away a sloppy goal through poor defending, and minutes later Farnborough equalised with a spectacular long range shot, that was assisted by a swirling wind. The match went into extra time, and Farnborough visibly tired as Es pressed for a winning goal, the decider came after 96 minutes when Dale Marvell hit a scorching volley into the net, giving the Farnborough 'keeper no chance of saving it. Manager Lyndon Buckwell was pleased with the way that the team had performed, showing spirit to come back from a slack period in the second half.
Epsom reserves travelled to Oakwood looking to extend their winning run to six consecutive games. The visitors soon took control of the game in most areas of the pitch and with Jamie Reive and Matt Chapman starting off a few attacks, the team began to show its possession to be in good order. David Jones should have opened the scoring on 15 minutes, but decided to shoot when he could have gone inside the centre half. Returning left back, Sam Braggins, who was man of the match against Corinthian-Casuals, and young fall back Oliver James-Pearce (on loan from Woking), were encouraged to get forward from the back line as Oakwood were constantly left chasing shadows. With 33 minutes on the clock, Epsom manager Lee Anderson decided to swop the two wide midfield players Andy Amfo-Brobbey and Dennis Nyarko and was rewarded almost instantly as an Amfo-Brobbey cross was met at the back post by the impressive Jamie Reive to slot in from 5 yards out. Epsom doubled their lead on 35 minutes when Dennis Nyarko shot from 25 yards out, which deceived the Oakwood keeper due to the windy conditions, the ball flying in to the keeper's right hand top corner to make the half time score 2-0 to the visitors. The second half continued to be one of sheer dominance by Epsom and they should have buried a hatful of chances supplied by midfield pairing Aaron Williams and Nathan Ayling. Striker Ben Radford, who is again playing out of his skin, sealed the game when he went on a mazy run down the left wing and crossed inch perfect for strike partner David Jones to head home on 76 minutes. Goalkeeper Jack Witts had, it must be said, one of his quietest afternoons, and had one shot to save during the whole match. Man of the match was Jamie Reive - 9 out of 10.
Epsom Reserves have in the last
few weeks got a tremendous team ethic during games and this added together with
a fine blend of attacking talent is making the team very hard to beat. Also the
signing of Jamie Reive has been fantastic for the club and his experience and
quality is there for all to see. Coaches John Chapman and Trevor Smith continue
to help the gaffer Lee Anderson and it is greatly appreciated.
The September 2009 draw took place today in the boardroom at half-time 1st
24 Pete Beddoe Tuesday 29th September 2009 Epsom & Ewell Reserves made it five straight league wins with a convincing 3-0 win at King George V Playing Fields against Corinthian-Casuals this evening. Epsom & Ewell from the first minute dominated the game with the now trademark pace attack and soon found themselves coming close to opening the scoring when an Aaron Williams cross found the head of Mark Jarman six yards out on 8 minutes, the Epsom striker guiding his header just over the top of the crossbar. The pace of Andy Amfo-Brobbey managed to cause confusion in the home side's ranks as the Epsom midfielder time after time managed to continually evade tackles, and spread balls into the front two pairing of Mark Jarman and Ben Radford. The next notable moment occurred on 21 minutes as a Ross Shoefield through ball saw two Casuals players manage to misjudge the ball allowing Ben Radford to run on to the ball and touch the ball past the advancing keeper on the edge of the home box but the touch was just too heavy as the Epsom striker was unable to stop the ball from rolling out for a goal kick. Epsom continued to press for the opening goal, a Ross Shoefield corner on 29 minutes found the head of Charlie West but the ball curved away from the far post for a goal kick. The pressure finally paid off as the opening goal occurred on 35 minutes as Andy Amfo-Brobbey picked the ball up some 25 yards out as he went on a solo run that saw him evade attempted tackle after attempted tackle, the Epsom midfielder managing to get into the box allowing himself to gain enough room to execute an inch perfect shot from 15 yards out into the far corner that was just wide enough to ensure the home keeper was unable to get anything on the ball. New signing from Woking James Oliver-Pearce on an overlap managed to cross the ball into the home danger area on 41 minutes, Mark Jarman climbing but he was only able to direct it into the keeper's gloves. The only real chance for the hosts happened on the stroke of half-time as a Casuals midfielder managed to wriggle his way to the by-line, the ball was pulled back seeing it run through the Epsom six yard box requiring Charlie West to put the ball out for a corner otherwise the arriving Casuals striker would have had an easy tap-in. Epsom & Ewell should have been two goals clear on 53 minutes as a Ross Shoefield pass parted the Casuals defence allowing Ben Radford to run on to the ball for a one on one, Radford managing to get a shot away from 20 yards out past the onrushing home keeper but the ball bounced the wrong side of the post much to the visitors agony. Epsom keeper Neil Harrowing had to be down smart to get his whole body behind a shot from 15 yards out on 56 minutes which had resulted due to the Epsom defence failing to get tight enough in the build-up. Epsom got a deserved second goal in spectacular fashion on 65 minutes, Andy Amfo-Brobbey picking up a lay-off by Sam Braggins, the midfielder some 30 yards out looking up to notice the home keeper off his line on the edge of his six yard box, Amfo-Brobbey hitting a first time chipped shot over the stranded keeper that dipped just under the crossbar. Epsom continued to play free flowing fast moving football, a Ross Shoefield corner on 67 minutes seeing Charlie West's header blocked on the edge of the six yard box, Mark Jarman with a follow-up that was blocked on the line by an outstretched foot and the face of the post; Ross Shoefield coming close with a powerful 25 yard shot that flashed just wide of the Casuals goal on 69 minutes. Epsom & Ewell should have been three up on 74 minutes, Aaron Williams laying the ball into Ben Radford who beat one defender to take the ball into the box with only the keeper to beat, Radford who scored a hat-trick on Saturday looked up to see Man of the Match Andy Amfo-Brobbey in support - the striker done all the hard work for his team mate of drawing the keeper off his line and then providing a pass into the path of Amfo-Brobbey to set up what seemed destined to be the midfielder's hat-trick who only needed to side foot the ball into an almost unguarded net but the midfielder went for power as the ball was blazed over the bar from 6 yards out. Epsom guaranteed all three points on 82 minutes as Ross Shoefield's outswinging corner found Charlie West rising 6 yards out level with the back post with a powerful header back across goal to find the corner of the net. Saturday 26th September 2009 On the back of the victories in the past week against Chertsey Town and Wembley, Epsom & Ewell undone most of their hard work with a lucklustre display as Colliers Wood United won 1-0 at Wibbundune Sports Ground to pick up their first league win of the season. Epsom & Ewell were forced to shuffle the starting line-up and formation due to four players missing due to other commitments. Colliers Wood had the first effort of the match as Taylor Mollatt was able to collect the ball and cut in past Jamie Hatfield on 10 minutes, his effort from 15 yards out flashing wide of Paul Borg's far upright. Epsom & Ewell's first chance occurred on 13 minutes as a series of corners were won by the visitors, Matt Smith's third corner was floated to the back post, Peter Solomon rising 6 yards out with a powerful header that just missed the upright. Epsom's defence were finding it difficult with aerial balls, a deep cross on 16 minutes by Steven Lang from the Colliers Wood right wing on 16 minutes found the head of Daniel Hughes arriving on the back post but his looping header back across goal was well over the crossbar of the untroubled Paul Borg. Epsom & Ewell should have taken the lead a minute later as Mark Jarman flicked on a Matt Smith cross, the ball finding Dale Marvell 6 yards out with only the keeper to beat, the Epsom midfielder done everything right in beating Colliers Wood keeper Nick Peters but the inside of the post came to the home side's rescue as the ball bounced back across the six yard box for James Murray to clear. The game continued to be end to end as the clearance from Murray found Cornell McKoy who was fouled just outside of the Epsom box by a late tackle by Peter Solomon who received a yellow card when the referee brought play back. Mark Jarman played a ball into Epsom striker Robbie Burns on 27 minutes, Colliers Wood keeper Nick Peters doing just enough to force Burns to drag his shot from 10 yards out wide of the far post. Epsom came close again on 32 minutes as a Ben Hayward pass provided Dale Marvell with enough room to get a shot in at goal from 25 yards away that ended up curling away from the Colliers Wood goal. The final chance of the first half saw Mark Jarman weave his way into the box but he was pushed away from goal by Samuel Mead but he was still able to manage to get enough room for him to wrap his right foot around the ball to loft it on to Robbie Burns head, the header from 6 yards out by Burns was straight at Colliers Wood keeper Nick Peters. With just over a minute gone in the second half, Epsom's Ben Hayward picked up the ball in the middle of the Colliers Wood half as he managed to breeze through the challenges on his solo run into the box, his eventual shot from 12 yards out bobbling wide of the far post by a couple of yards. Moments later Epsom's defence were guilty of not shutting down the opposition as the ball found its way to Taylor Mollatt, his effort from just inside the box curled high and wide of the visitors goal. Epsom welcomed back last year's leading scorer Kyle Hough who re-signed this week as he came on for Richard Webber on 55 minutes forcing a reshuffle in the Epsom team, and it was Hough who was on the end of a Matt Smith cross on 63 minutes as he managed to bring the ball down before then swivelling and hitting an effort from 15 yards out that flashed just wide of the far post. Colliers Wood United got the opening goal which turned out to be the winner on 65 minutes as Steven Lang whipped in a cross that found Colliers Wood captain Ryan Hughes rising in the box to head home from 6 yards out, the header looping over Epsom keeper Paul Borg and in off the underside of the crossbar. The goal encouraged the home side as Epsom seemed to fall apart as passes were either straight to a home player or out for a Colliers Wood throw-in. Kyle Hough managed to get on to the end of an Alex McGregor through ball on 76 minutes, Hough's cross seeing the home keeper Nick Peters manage to let the ball slip through his grasp and roll out for a corner, without Peters getting his gloves on the ball to parry the ball over Robbie Burns the Epsom striker would have had an easy header into an unguarded net from 6 yards out. Epsom & Ewell had one final opportunity on 82 minutes as Kyle Hough swung a ball into the box, Robbie Burns managing to get his body in front of Colliers Wood's Thomas Costello as the Epsom striker brought the ball down and took it past Costello in one movement some 12 yards out, Burns' getting himself in a one on one against Nick Peters who was quickly off his line to block Burns effort with his knees but Costello was lucky not to concede a penalty for a tackle on Burns a split second after the striker's shot. Reserves win at top of the table Horley Town Epsom & Ewell's reserves came away from Horley Town's New Defence ground with a 3-1 win. Ben Radford scored the opener on 3 minutes from close range as he went in with a Horley defender on an Epsom cross by James Oliver-Pearce, Radford claiming the ball came off his boot but there was some reports that the defender put it past his own keeper. Ben Radford doubled the lead on 17 minutes with an almost identical goal as James Oliver-Pearce crossed into the box but Radford was left alone to fire coolly past the home keeper. Horley scored a consolation goal mid way through the second half before Ben Radford sealed the points by scoring his hat-trick late on. Thursday 24th September 2009 Last night's youth match at Merland Rise was abandoned on 57 minutes due to a severe leg injury sustained by Epsom & Ewell's Will Timms in an innocuous 50/50 challenge with a St. Andrews player. Epsom & Ewell were at the time leading 4-1 and looking destined for their first three points of the season through goals by Lee Wilkinson (2) and Tom Porter (2). Both sides were willing to carry on to try to complete the game but due to the length of time it took the Epsom player to be moved from the pitch into the Ambulance, the restriction on the lights meant that the referee had no option but to abandon the game as there would have been insufficient time to complete the match. Injury updates Chris Read - there will be no definitive news on Chris' knee injury until the weekend when the inflammation has gone down according to Epsom manager Lyndon Buckwell The Wembley player who was carried off a couple of minutes after Chris Read was assessed by the paramedics treating Chris Read at the ground on Tuesday night - the initial diagnosis was two broken metatarsals. Will Timms - Will's Dad has provided an update this evening that Will's broken leg was operated upon this morning at East Surrey Hospital and it is understood that a plate has been inserted, if his progress is good there is a possibility that he will be out of hospital by the end of the weekend. Will's father has asked the club to pass on the family's thanks for all the well wishes received since last night. Tuesday 22nd September 2009 Epsom & Ewell made light work of a lacklustre Wembley side at Merland Rise last Tuesday. Epsom were the more inventive side throughout the game, and striker Mark Jarman could easily have scored a hat trick in the first forty five minutes. Wembley were constantly on the defensive,and Paul Borg in the Epsom goal had little to trouble him! Midway through the first half, Ramzi Bedj-Bedj supplied the lively Jarman with a superb pass, however the Wembley 'keeper made a fine save. Things got worse for the visitors at the start of the second half, as they had a player dismissed. Es took the lead after 54 minutes, when Jarman picked up on a defensive error to score from close range. Jamie Hatfield was unfortunate not to score soon after, when a scorching shot hit the crossbar! Epsom eventually snatched a second when a Bedj-Bedj corner found Dale Marvell who scored from close range. Epsom wrapped the game up in injury time when substitute Robbie Burns crossed the ball back for Bedj-Bedj to volley home from the edge of the penalty area. The game was marred when two players suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital. Chris Read of Epsom was taken to St Helier, while the Wembley casualty was sent to a hospital in Middlesex Reserves beat Crowborough (by Robert Oakes) Epsom & Ewell's reserves continued their resurgence last night with a 3-1 win against Crowborough Athletic at Merland Rise. Epsom & Ewell took a 15th minute lead when Ben Radford was on the end of a through ball to slot the ball coolly between the keeper's legs. Epsom should have been more comfortably ahead by the interval came round but eventually added the second in the second minute of injury time when a mucked up corner by Epsom managed to still find Nathan Ayling, his shot from the edge of the box taking a wicked deflection off a visiting defender to send the ball past his own keeper. Crowborough got a goal back on 57 minutes when Elliott Wood ghosted in to score past Jack Witts. Epsom secured the three points on a counter attack on 88 minutes, Ben Radford squaring the ball for Dennis Nyarko to angle a shot home from 12 yards out. Saturday 19th September 2009 Prior to Saturday's match,
Chertsey had an unbeaten start to the season, with a run of five wins and a
draw. This has been their best start stretching back over 100 years! They were
therefore, not unreasonably, confident of continuing their record at Merland
Rise on Saturday. Thursday 17th September 2009 It is with great sadness that news has filtered out over the past 24 hours that Surrey County FA president Peter Adams passed away late last Saturday after a long illness. Peter Adams is the only person in the history of the Surrey County FA to have held the roles of Secretary, Chairman and President in his long career with the County FA. The Surrey County FA website announcement issued by Ray Ward gives a full run down of services he provided to football in Surrey over the past 55 years. The last time that Peter visited Epsom & Ewell was as recent as last August for the FA Cup match at Merland Rise against Frimley Green. The Surrey County FA have asked for all senior clubs to hold a minute silence on Saturday to remember Peter and his services to football in Surrey. With the majority of the Combined Counties League Premier clubs in FA Vase action, Epsom & Ewell and Chertsey Town will be leading the minute silence for Combined Counties League matches along with North Greenford and Raynes Park Vale at Berkley Fields. Wednesday 16th September 2009 Epsom & Ewell Youth suffered a fourth straight defeat with a 2-0 loss at Molesey tonight. Epsom & Ewell could have been ahead by the time the Moles took the lead on 34 minutes as a defensive lapse allowed the home striker in behind the E's defence to fire home from 10 yards out. Molesey took only another 42 seconds to secure a second goal as a cross into the box found the other Molesey striker to stick out a foot to divert the ball home from 12 yards out. Epsom deserved at least a goal but despite the pressure put on the hosts in the second half the continuing goal drought that has seen only one goal scored in 360 minutes of football must be of concern to both Randall and Trevor. Monday 14th September 2009 Epsom & Ewell Reserves made it back to back wins with a comfortable 3-1 win at home to Colliers Wood United. The game started off in similar fashion to the last home reserve match against Chessington & Hook as Epsom were found guilty of not finishing chances as the E's went in goal less but it could have easily been five or six nil to Epsom if chances had not been squandered. Epsom eventually opened the scoring when substitute Andy Amfo-Brobbey's through ball saw Ben Radford race through on 70 minutes to toe poke the ball home under the on-rushing visitors keeper. Amfo-Brobbey was involved with the second as a deep cross into the far post found Mark Jarman with a bullet header that gave the visiting keeper no chance of making a save on 75 minutes. Mark Jarman was heavily involved with Epsom's third as he laid the ball off to Nathan Ayling who beat one visiting defender before passing the ball square to Jarman who rifled in a shot from 10 yards out that curled away from the Woods keeper on 85 minutes. Jarman nearly scored his hat-trick on 88 minutes as a probing through ball sent the Epsom striker clear, his dipping angled shot from just inside the visitors box shaving the outside of the far post. Leigh Dynan scored a consolation goal in the third minute of injury time as the Epsom defence who had been solid all evening were caught poncing around with the ball inside the home box without trying to clear the white spherical object which eventually fell nicely for Dynan to volley home from 9 yards out. Saturday 12th September 2009 Epsom & Ewell moved to within
two points of league leaders North Greenford United, with a convincing 3-1 away
win against Wembley, at Vale Farm. Reserves gain first win (by Robert Oakes from info supplied by Reserves manager Lee Anderson) Epsom & Ewell's reserves recorded their first win of the season with a 2-0 win at Godalming Town's Weycourt. Epsom & Ewell took the lead midway through the first half with a Dennis Nyarko strike, reserves manager Lee Anderson was far from impressed from the first half performance despite leading and his half-time team talk was reportedly able to be audible in Godalming town centre. Dennis Nyarko managed to double Epsom & Ewell's lead during the second half as the three points lifted the reserves off the bottom and over both Cobham and Oakwood. Wednesday 09th September 2009 Polite reminder to those members that have not yet renewed their membership for the 2009-2010 season that under Rule 6iv any member that fails to pay his/her membership renewal fee within six weeks of receiving notice that it falls due shall be ceased to be a member of the club and shall be so notified by the Honorary Membership Secretary. The due date for membership renewal and therefore the deemed notice date was 01st August 2009, the deadline therefore for renewals is Sunday 13th September 2009. Memberships that lapse will require the individual to re-apply for membership as per Rules 6vi & 6viii with their application requiring a proposer and seconder, the management committee will deal with the application at the next available committee meeting. Youth beaten by Sutton (by Robert Oakes) Epsom & Ewell's youth knew that it was going to be a tough game at Gander Green Lane if we were to get past Sutton. Epsom eventually conceding five goals without reply in a score line that flattered the hosts, but the young Epsom squad done the club proud but not giving up for the whole 90 minutes. Sutton were forced to wait 38 minutes to open the scoring as 15 year old Epsom keeper Rickardo Borat pulled off a string of quality saves to deny Sutton, unfortunately the Epsom defence then gifted Sutton a second less than two minutes later. Epsom quickly conceded two further goals on 48 and 54 minutes before holding firm until the 82nd minute when the fifth was scored. Concerted pressure in the final five minutes saw a string of Epsom corner won but Sutton's defence held firm to prevent Epsom from scoring a deserved consolation goal Saturday 05th September 2009 Epsom & Ewell failed to 'fire' at home to newly promoted
Hanworth Villa at Merland Rise. By losing what should have been a home 'banker',they
missed the chance to take joint second place in the fledgling league table!
Saturday's game was the first ever meeting between the two clubs. Reserves go out of League Cup on penalties yet again (by Robert Oakes) Epsom & Ewell's reserves suffered penalty heartbreak for yet another season in the Suburban League Cup. Epsom & Ewell for the second time in four weeks found themselves ahead 2-1 against Tooting & Mitcham United going into the dying seconds only for the hosts to score - Epsom being put ahead by Andy Amfo-Brobbey and x against a Tooting side that were down to nine men midway through the second half. Unlike the pre-season friendly, the match went on into extra-time where there was no further score and on to a penalty shoot-out where we lost 3-2 on penalties despite keeper Jack Witts pulling off two excellent saves. Wednesday 02nd September 2009 Epsom & Ewell's reserves and youth teams were both in action this evening. The reserves had the short trip down the A217 and across Gatton Manor to face Merstham at their Moatside ground. Epsom & Ewell found themselves down to ten men on 19 minutes as new signing from Corinthian-Casuals Jamie Reive was shown a straight red for dissent as the hosts soon afterwards opened up a two goal lead going into half-time. Mark Jarman reduced the arrears mid way through the second half from the penalty spot but the E's ten men could not find a second to come away with at least a point. The youth team were at home to Cobham at Merland Rise and found themselves a goal down after just three minutes and two down midway through the first half. Cobham added two further goals in the early stages of the second half before Dean Munns notched a deserved consolation goal with around 5 minutes to go. Tuesday 01st September 2009 Saturday 29th August
2009 Epsom and Ewell suffered a shock F.A. Cup exit, against Sussex league division one side Selsey. The hosts were reduced to 10 men after 20 minutes, when their goalkeeper was adjudged to have handled the ball outside of the area. Prior to the sending off it was the home side who created the best opportunities. Tom Ridley fired a shot narrowly wide, and following a corner he played a superb pass to Gerald Joseph which almost gave the striker a clear run on goal. Epsom looked sluggish and following a Mcgregor booking they conceded a free kick which Paul Borg did well to hold onto.Borg made an excellent save minutes later as the hosts pressed the Es defence. Epsom Substituted Ben Ward for Chris Read and had their best opportunity when, approaching half time the ball was cleared off the line. Epsom started the second half with a shot from Jamie Hatfield which narrowly went wide, although they struggled to find cohesion with their passing. Selsey took the lead ten minutes into the second half when a deflected shot was assisted by a swirling wind and just crept in under the crossbar, giving Borg no chance of saving it. Epsom huffed and puffed, but were clearly out of form. Ramzi Bedj-Bedj was guilty of a glaring miss when, with the goal at his mercy his shot went over the bar. Epsom brought on Gary Dennis who played some nice touches. However Epsom’s play deteriorated even further in the closing stages, although Richard Webber did stretch the hosts defence with a powerful run that evaded Robbie Burns who was lurking in the box. Over-all for the traveling Epsom fans it was an outing to forget. Wednesday 26th August
2009 Epsom & Ewell Youth went down to a solitary eighth minute strike at Chalky Lane this evening. The youth team playing together in their first competitive fixture started slowly for the first twenty minutes but were in total control in the second half and deserved an equaliser which they were denied by the woodwork and the gloves of the home keeper as Epsom limited Chessington to two brief second half excursion out of the hosts own half. Monday 24th August 2009 Epsom & Ewell reserves gained their first point of the season but were left totally frustrated that not all three points and a convincing win was not achieved at Merland Rise against a Chessington & Hook United side that put in a poor display but defended like their lives counted on it. Andy Amfo-Brobbey twice, Ben Radford and Dennis Nyarko all had one on one chances in the first half but all were spurned. Epsom managed to hit the post on 35 minutes and the crossbar moments later but then had two lapses in concentration allowing Chessington their only two chances in the match but both times Neil Harrowing came racing off his line to quickly narrow the angle forcing the visitors shot to go past the upright. Epsom continued to press the visitors back in the second half but were unable to find the elusive goal, at the other end Ben Ward and Peter Solomon both vying for the single starting spot alongside Alex Rodrigues for Saturday's FA Cup (sponsored by E.On) match at Selsey were on every occasion able to mop up the long balls pumped clear by Chessington's defence, and it was good to see Chris Read wearing the Blue & White Hoop shirt again following his recent transfer from Merstham. Saturday 22nd August
2009
Epsom and Ewell maintained their early season form, against Egham Town by
achieving three wins and a draw from their four league games so far. Epsom started the second half on the attack, and had two close range efforts in the opening minutes. Thornby responded for Egham, with a long, fierce shot that rattled the cross-bar. Charlie Muldowney also went close for the home side as they started to show more attacking flair. Es lost some of their momentum as Thornby, in particular, helped Egham push for an equaliser. Both teams were pressing for a goal but had to be wary of a counter attack. Es came closest to scoring in the final stages, when Jarman had a shot cleared off the line. Overall Epsom deserved to win on the balance of play. Tuesday 18th August 2009 Monday 17th August 2009 Epsom & Ewell's reserves went down to 3-2 defeat at home to Chipstead in a match that neither side really deserved to lose. The first home Suburban League match of the season saw the E's and local rivals Chipstead compete at Merland Rise in a match that was high tempo from start to finish. Both sides could have each scored at least four times before Epsom took the lead, a cross in from the wing by Dennis Nyarko finding Lee Binns to get in front of his marker to cushion the ball into the far corner of the net from 7 yards out with a glancing header on 28 minutes. The lead only lasted two minutes, an away corner seeing a header come off the post, the Epsom defence failing to react fast enough as former Epsom striker Liam Oxley struck with a volley into the top corner from 12 yards out past a helpless Neil Harrowing. Chipstead went in at the break with a goal cushion thanks to the hard work of a Chipstead midfielder to hold off two Epsom players and somehow manage to get a shot in on target on 43 minutes, Neil Harrowing making an excellent one handed reaction save to divert the ball away from his goal but the rest of the Epsom defence were caught on their heels as Oxley had the simplest of tasks to roll the ball into the unguarded net from 3 yards out. The second half started badly as replacement keeper Jack Witts' first task was to pick the ball out of his own net as the Epsom defence were caught napping allowing Oxley to receive the ball and coolly convert for his hat-trick with just 19 second half seconds gone. Epsom responded within two minutes as another Nyarko cross this time found Dave Jones with a brave diving header on the near post from 8 yards out. Chances came and went for Epsom as the home side tried in vein to notch an equaliser but alas the visitors held on for the three points much to the disappointment of the Epsom side. 100 Club (by John Ward) The rebranded 100 Club starts in September and numbers are starting to be chosen. The rules are quite simple, just pick your favourite number from 1-100 (along with a second and third choice in case your choices are already taken) and send them to Press Secretary John Ward by e-mail at johnward48@live.co.uk. From the first of September the subscription will be £5 per calendar month with each draw being made at the monthly committee meeting and results will be published in the programme, and will also be in the news section of the website. Only sold tickets will be entered in the draw Saturday 15th August 2009 Epsom & Ewell began their
F.A.Cup campaign at Sussex League side Wealden. In the early stages of the second half, Epsom captain Alex Rodrigues was forced to lob the ball over his own bar following a Wealden free kick. A fine Epsom move involving Ramzi Bedj-Bedj ended with the Wealden 'keeper blocking the ball with his legs! Although Epsom were constantly on the attack, searching for an equaliser, they were thwarted by the Wealden 'keeper who made a string of fine saves, which included a close range block from the impressive Mark Jarman. Epsom finally got their just rewards when Richard Webber hit a ball into the penalty area that swerved and spun, into the left hand corner of the net. Paul Borg denied Wealden a second goal when he pushed a close range shot around the right hand post. Approaching injury time Burns forced his way between two defenders to score his fifth goal in three games. With eleven minutes of injury time added, Epsom were able to make the score 3-1 as Ramzi Bedj-Bedj hit a scorching shot from 20 yards that gave the goalkeeper no chance. Tuesday 11th August 2009 Epsom & Ewell notched up their second successive league win of the season, this time against Bookham. The game began in scrappy fashion, with the home side just edging ahead in the opening exchanges. Epsom 'keeper Paul Borg was forced to push the ball over the bar following an early Bookham corner. Shortly afterwards, Robbie Burns' header came close to scoring for the visitors. Epsom appeared to find their rhythm, and were on song in the 22nd minute when 'man of the match' Robbie Burns found space in the penalty area to give Es the lead.Burns doubled his tally two minutes later following an accurate Jamie Hatfield corner. As Epsom began to dominate, Burns almost scored a third following a Matt Smith cross, but his diving header went just wide of the right hand post. Epsom made the score 3-0 early in the second half when Hatfield made a powerful run along the left wing and crossed the ball to Burns who made no mistake from close range, to score his hat trick! Es continued to press and only a fine save stopped them from going further ahead. Bookham pulled a goal back following a period of slack defending by Epsom. The home side were lifted by the goal, and had a period of 15 minutes when they were constantly on the attack, forcing Borg to make a couple of excellent saves. Despite having to defend, Epsom could have scored a fourth goal, but Ross Shoefield missed an easy chance. Es eventually came away 3-1 winners, and are now fifth in the Combined Counties League Premier Division. Saturday 08th August 2009 Epsom & Ewell started the new football season with a well-deserved victory over Guildford City, at Merland Rise. In the early stages, Guildford had probably their best chance of the game, when they forced a corner and came close with a shot that was well saved by Paul Borg. Es had made a number of positional changes from last season, and, consequently took time to adjust to the new style of play. Epsom almost took the lead when Ross Shoefield raced through unmarked, only to see his shot rebound off of the goalpost. Both sides looked 'rusty' as they strived to create openings. Shoefield made amends for his earlier miss with a fine pass to Dale Marvell who nonchalantly slotted the ball into the net. Epsom started the second half with a fierce shot that was well held by the Guildford 'keeper. Es made the score 2-0 with fine interplay between Robbie Burns and Marvell, resulting in a fine goal by Burns. Moments later Ramzi Beji-Beji almost made it 3-0 when he sprinted to the edge of the area, only to see his shot go narrowly wide of the right hand post. With fifteen minutes left to play, a quality pass found Marvell who hit a vicious shot that was well held by Anthony Hall, the Guildford 'keeper. Epsom were worthy winners and in the closing stages, a cross by Robbie Burns was snatched away from the incoming Mark Jarman. Epsom concede last minute equaliser against league champs Tooting (by Robert Oakes) With Epsom & Ewell reserves facing a tough opening day fixture away to Suburban League new boys Welling United next Saturday, today's match was an ideal opportunity for the E's to warm up with a tough testing fixture at current Suburban League Premier Division champions Tooting & Mitcham United at their Bishopsford Road base in the reserves final pre-season friendly fixture. The opening half saw both sides force saves out of the opposition keeper, Tooting & Mitcham taking the lead early in the second half before Simon Moore pounced to equalise for Epsom. The visitors took the lead mid-way through the second half as a well worked free-kick surprised the hosts allowing the ball to find the Brazilian youngster that everybody at the club calls Junior to smash the ball home. Tooting & Mitcham scored an equaliser some 50 seconds before the final whistle to prevent Epsom from recording a victory. Saturday 01st August 2009 A minute's silence was held
before the game in honour of the late Bobby Robson. However,two minutes into the
second half, Es equalised-following an attacking run, Marvell passed the ball
back to Mo Mann who beat Dave Tidy from close range. Moles beat Tanners on penalties (by Robert Oakes) Molesey beat Leatherhead 5-4 on penalties in the final of the Dave Wilson Trophy. Leatherhead went a goal up on three minutes and then doubled the lead off a corner on 5 minutes. Molesey responded by halving the gap on a break against the run of play on 7 minutes. The score line was level on 72 minutes as Molesey scored an equaliser from 8 yards out despite Leatherhead's vocal appeals that the Molesey player was offside. Reserves lose at Casuals (Info supplied by Reserve team coach Trevor Smith) Epsom & Ewell reserves lost 2-0 away to Corinthian Casuals Reserves at Wimbledon Common Extensions. The Reserve team included a couple of youth players and triallists in a good overall team performance, both goals occurred in the final twenty minutes of the match. Thursday 30th July 2009 Epsom & Ewell played Leatherhead in the second semi-final of the Dave Wilson
trophy at Merland Rise. It is the third time that that the trophy has been
played since Dave's untimely demise in 2006; prior to this he had been club
secretary since 1984. Leatherhead started the second half on the attack; E's Alex Rodrigues was alert to an early break and was able to counter a dangerous move. As the second half continued, Epsom found their true form. Burns scored a fine second goal and the home side made the score 4-3 when Ramzi Beji -Beji cut the ball back for Ross Shoefield to hit a fierce shot into the top left hand corner. The game became a more open affair with both sides showing great determination. Es had started to take control but were caught napping when Smith fired in a fierce shot from just outside the penalty area, making the final score 3-5. The game was a fine advertisement for non-league football, and both sides will be looking forward to a successful season. Toss of the coin decides home dressing room occupation on Saturday (by Robert Oakes) Following tonight's result two coin tosses occurred in the bar. In the 3rd/4th place play-off, Epsom & Ewell manager Lyndon Buckwell called tails correctly and the E's will be in the home dressing room. The second coin toss saw Leatherhead manager Mick Sullivan call heads, the coin showing tails meaning Molesey will occupy the home dressing room for Saturday's final. Tuesday 28th July 2009 Following Saturday's slender win against Hanworth Villa, the reserves turned in an excellent performance against Warlingham's first team. Epsom & Ewell's side were made up of Reserve team regulars and fringe first team players that were not scheduled to play in the Dave Wilson Trophy Semi-Final against Leatherhead on Thursday. Both teams were deadlocked at 1-1 at half-time with Simon Moore scoring in the first half for the E's before Dennis Nyarko bagged himself a second half brace to see Epsom & Ewell run out 3-1 winners. Molesey through to Dave Wilson Trophy Final (by Robert Oakes) Molesey progressed through to Saturday's final with a 2-0 win against Banstead Athletic in a drab first semi-final of this season's Dave Wilson Trophy. Molesey scored a quick fire brace to secure their passage, the opening goal occurring on 47 minutes with the second goal coming two minutes later thanks to a defensive mistake by a Banstead defender. Banstead had a shot cleared off the line on 76 minutes and Molesey should have added to their lead on 87 minutes with a one-on-one that the Moles player drilled wide of the far post from 8 yards out. Sunday 26th July 2009 Epsom & Ewell will be playing a hastily arranged first team pre-season fixture this Tuesday evening away against Warlingham (kick-off 7pm) Address: Shelton Sports Centre Saturday 25th July 2009 EPSOM & EWELL F.C. 7 HAYWARD'S HEATH TOWN F.C. 2
Reserves blow off cobwebs (by Robert Oakes) Epsom & Ewell Reserves were scheduled to be playing Hanworth Villa Reserves but it turned out to be the Middlesex club's third side as the hosts reserves were playing a double header at Farleigh Rovers. Epsom & Ewell came away with a 1-0 win but the score line should have been far greater but for inspirational goal keeping by the host keeper, the crossbar and some shocking misses. Although this was officially the Reserves second match of the season the majority of the players were having there first run out of the season. Simon Moore causing the first notable moment of the game on 10 minutes as his rasping drive from 20 yards out crashed off the crossbar. Hard work by Dennis Nyarko saw Simon Moore provided the ball six yards out on 16 minutes, the ball coming off the Epsom striker's boot laces and looping over the crossbar. Andy Amfo-Brobbey cut in on 23 minutes to force the home keeper into a save and then found the underside of the crossbar from 8 yards out on 36 minutes from another Dennis Nyarko squared ball, the rebound fell to Amfo-Brobbey who sliced it over the crossbar from 6 yards out. Dave Jones cut into the box on 38 minutes to hit a shot one on one against the keeper who did exceptionally well to hold on to the rising ball. Neil Harrowing was a spectator for relatively the majority of the first half but was called upon to come charging out his area to reach a ball over the Epsom defence on 42 minutes, Harrowing managing to knock the ball around the advancing player, then managed to control the ball before beating another Hanworth player like a sweeper before knocking the ball down the line. The final moments of the half saw another effort come off the hosts bar. Epsom managed to score what turned out to be the winning goal on 49 minutes, Andy Amfo-Brobbey turning his marker to whip in a cross into the the box, Simon Moore with a diving header managed to steer the ball home from 12 yards out. The remainder of the second half was a frustrating one for Epsom & Ewell as passes failed to penetrate the Villians back line, Epsom coming close to conceding a late equaliser when the E's defence was pressed back on 87 minutes, a cross into the back post found a home player with a stooping header 8 yards out but Neil Harrowing was able to make an easy save in the end and moments later another opportunity saw the same player receive a squared pass but Neil Harrowing's quick reactions saw him block the effort with his feet. Thursday 23rd July 2009 The Combined Counties League fixtures were released this afternoon ahead of the proposed release on Saturday. Epsom & Ewell open the league campaign at home to Guildford City on 8th August and then face Bookham away at Meadowbank on the Tuesday night. In relation to teams that have moved sideways or been promoted we face Croydon at home on Tuesday 18th August, Hanworth Villa visit Merland Rise on Saturday 05th September and Epsom visit Dorking for our second visit of the season to Meadowbank on Saturday 21st November. Epsom & Ewell will be expecting a large crowd for our local derby on Tuesday 01st September against Chessington & Hook (assuming both clubs are not involved in FA Cup replay action) as there is only one other scheduled league match in the National League System at Chatham the same night as Met. Police visit Kent. The local derby should have been played the previous morning on Bank Holiday Monday but with Epsom Racecourse just over a mile away having a full racing calendar following the completion of the grandstand regeneration, the racecourse's second biggest racing fixture of the year is scheduled for August Bank Holiday Monday with an anticipated crowd of over 50,000 people which would have created serious travel problems for players and supporters trying to get back home as all the local roads are expected to severely congested, the league agreeing to move the fixture back to the following evening. In addition the league are experimenting with Friday night matches this season - although there are only two matches at present scheduled for a Friday night. The club did put our interest forward to the league in participating in the experiment but at present we do not have a Friday fixture but there is still a possibility that one or two our scheduled Saturday matches may be moved to a Friday night if another local club to ourselves agrees to play on a Friday against ourselves. The 1st XI fixture list is downloadable from the home page. Wednesday 22nd July 2009 Epsom & Ewell ran out comfortable winners against Ryman Division One (South)
side Walton Casuals last night. Tuesday 21st July 2009 Epsom & Ewell continued their pre-season schedule with a convincing 3-1 win over Walton Casuals at Merland Rise. Epsom & Ewell manager Lyndon Buckwell continued the policy of naming a large squad and ensuring every player had at least thirty minutes on the pitch - the 20 man squad from Saturday remaining unaltered tonight. Epsom & Ewell opened the scoring on 6 minutes as Ross Shoefield collected a lay off to guide a first time shot wide of the visitors keeper into the far corner of the net from 10 yards out. The lead was doubled on 12 minutes as Dale Marvell hit a curling effort into the far top corner of the net from the corner of the box, his effort being assisted by the gale force wind. Walton Casuals pulled a goal back on 37 minutes, a good build up seeing the ball being squared for an incoming Casuals player to get a shot in from 12 yards out that was blocked by Neil Harrowing's legs, the loose ball falling into the path of the E's top scorer last season Kyle Hough who was left unmarked arriving at the back post to execute a powerful half volley finish from 10 yards out as the Epsom players had a momentary lapse expecting Hough to clear the ball but then suddenly remembering that Hough was playing for Walton Casuals. The opening five minutes of the second half was an open battle but Epsom killed off the game on 55 minutes, a Richard Webber cross into the box found Mark Jarman climbing bravely in the air with the visitors keeper, Jarman getting his head on to the ball just as both players collided allowing the ball to be flicked back across the face of the six yard box for an unmarked Robbie Burns to steer the ball into an empty net with a controlled header. Epsom controlled the remainder of the match and should have been further ahead on 71 minutes as Leon White was on the end of a deep cross to put in a bullet header requiring the striker to use the majority of his neck muscles, the ball seemed destined to find the top corner but the Walton Casuals keeper pulled off a world class save to somehow manage to tip the ball over the crossbar - after seeing two goals wiped out in the two previous pre-season matches, Leon White deserving a goal tonight but alas it was not to be. Saturday 18th July 2009 As a result of the late postponement of the friendly at Beckenham against Croydon, Lyndon Buckwell made some late changes by including a number of the first team regulars that were going to be playing the afternoon fixture in the squad for the mid-morning kick-off against Crescent Rovers. Like last week, two separate teams were fielded between the first and second halves. Robbie Burns was fed a ball by Ramzi Bedj-Bedj on 12 minutes with only the visiting keeper to beat but his shot from 10 yards out on an angle blazed wide of the far post. Simon Moore partnering Burns was next to be given an opportunity as a mistake by a Crescent Rovers centre-back allowed the ball to run out of his possession and to Moore who saw his curling effort trying to go inside the far post roll wide of the post on 21 minutes. Jamie Hatfield playing on the left wing managed to get in the right place to pick up a loose ball from a save by the visitors keeper off a Simon Moore shot, with an empty goal ahead of him the midfielder saw the ball come off his laces and loop over the bar. Crescent Rovers were given the opportunity to have sight of the Epsom goal as a poor pass in the Epsom defence gave the ball away just outside the E's box, a first time shot beating Neil Harrowing but Joe Diggins tracking back cleared the ball from within the middle of the six yard box. Simon Moore had the last opportunity to put Epsom ahead by the half-time whistle, a Ross Shoefield corner on 43 minutes was headed on by a defensive clearing header as the ball found Simon Moore on the back post to execute a volley from 12 yards out that crashed off the face of the crossbar. Epsom & Ewell managed to eventually break the deadlock on 52 minutes, Gary Dennis laying the ball into new signing Mark Jarman who has joined from Bookham to finish with a looping half volley over the Crescent Rovers keeper from 8 yards out. The lead was doubled on 65 minutes as Dale Marvell picked up a through ball to execute a precision finish into the far corner of the net from 15 yards out. Leon White was denied a goal for the second weekend running on 70 minutes as Mark Jarman on the edge of the six yard box flicked on a cross that found White at the back post with a stooping header from 3 yards out but the assistant had his flag raised for offside. Dale Marvell added Epsom & Ewell's third goal on 72 minutes as he tapped the ball home from 2 yards out after a hectic build-up in the visitors box, and Marvell had two opportunities in the closing ten minutes to notch his hat-trick but both efforts were blocked by visiting players. Crescent Rovers deserve a mention as their team work and perseverance were excellent throughout the match and Epsom & Ewell had to work for our win today - the match being an ideal workout for both sides Saturday 11th July 2009 Epsom & Ewell opened their pre-season schedule with a 2-2 draw against Chipstead, with Merland Rise not available yet the match was played on Colliers Wood United's reserve pitch. Epsom & Ewell manager Lyndon Buckwell took a 20 man squad with each player getting a minimum of 45 minutes on the pitch as the regulars from last season were mixed up in the two different sides. that competed in each half. Epsom should have been ahead on 34 minutes when Leon White latched on to a Ben Hayward pass to take the ball around the onrushing Chipstead keeper to coolly finish but the assistant referee adjudged he was offside. Chipstead took a 43rd minute lead when a corner was headed home from 8 yards out. Epsom & Ewell grabbed an equaliser on 56 minutes as Robbie Burns was in the right place to chest control a cross and scissor kick the ball into the top corner from 8 yards out. Chipstead re-took the lead on 68 minutes, a shot from the edge of the box looked it was going to clear the bar easily suddenly dipping just under the Epsom crossbar. Dale Marvell saw his free-kick from 25 yards out on 71 minutes hit the outside of the post and Nathan Ayling's shot from 30 yards out only just whistled over the bar on 76 minutes. Epsom were awarded a penalty on 89 minutes from a Dale Marvell corner that saw Robbie Burns held back by a Chipstead defender yanking the E's player shirt. With Kyle Hough understood to be training at Walton Casuals at present, Burns stepped up to send the Chips' keeper the wrong way. Mention needs to be made for Epsom's man of the match, keeper Neil Harrowing who pulled off three spectacular one handed saves during the ninety minutes. Following the match, manager Lyndon Buckwell said "The match allowed us to blow away a few cobwebs, I decided to pick two players per outfield position and mix the sides up and I'm pleased with the performance put in today" Friday 10th July 2009 Over the past fortnight there has been a frenzy of cup competition draws that have taken place which are detailed below: The FA Cup - Epsom & Ewell start the competition in the Extra-Preliminary Round away to Wealden F.C. from Sussex League Division 2 on Saturday 15th August 2009. The winners of that match will be away to either Lancing or Selsey in the Preliminary Round on 29th August 2009. The FA Vase - thanks to our 4th place finish last season the first team are exempt to the First Round proper that is taking place on Saturday 03rd October 2009, the draw has provided us with a home tie against St. Francis Rangers, Egham Town or Farnborough North End - Egham travel to St. Francis Rangers in the First Qualifying Round and then the winner of that match will be at home to Farnborough in the Second Qualifying Round. On the dates of the two qualifying rounds we are likely to be playing either North Greenford United, Chertsey Town (both with exemptions to 1st Round proper like ourselves) or Croydon (with exemption to Second Round proper thanks to them reaching the fourth round proper last season). Surrey Senior Cup - thanks to our semi-final appearance last year we have received an exemption to the second round proper, and it seems that our run in last season's competition coupled with Merstham's runs in the competition in the previous two years has boosted the co-efficient of the Combined Counties League clubs who have all bar Horley received byes through to the second round. Epsom & Ewell have been drawn at home to Chertsey Town with the winner receiving a home draw in Round 3 to the winner of Walton & Hersham, Whyteleafe or Metropolitan Police. Our match against Chertsey will be played in either the last week of November or first week in December but the date will be subject to the date fixed by Banstead Athletic who have been drawn at home to Croydon Athletic in the same round. Combined Counties League Cup / EL Records Premier Cup - the first two rounds of the League Cup saw us come out of the hat early in in both rounds. For the first round, we were the first club to be drawn out of the hat at home to Wembley and in the second round draw we were the second ball out of the hat - if we defeat Wembley we will then face a nightmare midweek trip to their local neighbours North Greenford United Surrey Premier Cup - turning to our reserves and the club's bogey competition, we have received a bye to the second round of the competition where we will face Sheerwater's first team - the match is likely to be played on Monday 02nd November 2009. Suburban League Cup - no cup draw received yet FA Youth Cup - the most intriguing of the draws sees the Youth team having to try to repeat the first team's heroics of last December as we visit Gander Green Lane to play Sutton United in the Preliminary Round during the first midweek in September Southern Youth League Cup - awaiting cup draw Combined Counties/Grant McLellan Youth Cup - awaiting cup draw - 16 teams entered Saturday 27th June 2009 Following Hartley Wintney's appeal being rejected the constitution for the Combined Counties League Premier Division 2009/2010 will be: Ash United, Badshot Lea, Banstead Athletic, Bedfont, Bookham, Camberley Town, Chertsey Town, Chessington & Hook United, Colliers Wood United, Cove, Croydon, Dorking, Egham Town, Epsom & Ewell, Guildford City, Hanworth Villa, Horley Town, Molesey, North Greenford United, Raynes Park Vale, Sandhurst Town, Wembley
At the Southern Youth League AGM on Thursday the constitution for our youth team in the Central Division will be: Chertsey Town, Chessington & Hook United, Cobham, Colliers Wood United, Croydon, Dorking, Epsom & Ewell, Molesey, St. Andrews, Westfield Monday 22nd June 2009 Last season's players who have received a text from Lyndon, will find his information letter by clicking here. Anybody wishing to have a trial for the First or Reserve teams should open the information letter referred to above and phone Lyndon on the number stated. Any players wishing to attend the Youth trials should note that these will take place on Tuesday 30th June & Thursday 02nd July at Epsom College starting at 7:30pm. Players belonging to Epsom & Ewell Colts Under 16's or Under 17's for this coming season should attend the Tuesday session, more information about the trial are being sent to your managers tomorrow. Players unconnected with Epsom & Ewell Colts should on arrival report to either Lyndon Buckwell, Lee Anderson or Trevor Smith to introduce yourself
Personnel changes Matt Alexander is joining the club as first team coach. Matt is the former Cobham manager and his role will be to coach the first team as well as assist Lyndon & Tony in the picking of the team Ken Jones is joining as Club Physiotherapist. This will Ken's second spell as Epsom & Ewell's club physiotherapist, his first spell being during the club's spell at West Street. Ken has been an important cog in Mick Sullivan's backroom staff at Merstham for the past decade and we are delighted to have managed to secure his services. John Chapman is moving from first team coach to reserve team assistant manager to Lee Anderson. Catharine Gillard has left the club as she has set up a gym with a fellow physiotherapist and the club thank her for her services over the second half of last season Trevor Smith will now be more hands on in coaching the Reserve team as well as also coaching the Youth team, Trevor will be the lynchpin in trying to channel youth players through to the reserves. Russell Banyard has stepped down as Youth team co-manager to concentrate on playing for Corinthian-Casuals. The other youth team co-manager James Deacons and coach Mark Honess have taken up the Reserve team management position at Merstham. Alb Bullen has decided to stand down as Vice-Chairman and from the committee at the end of last season, the club thank Alb for his services on the committee over the past four years. At the club's AGM last night, Pete Beddoe was elected as Vice-Chairman. Robert Oakes has stepped down as Hon. Fixtures Secretary (also known as Matchday secretary), as well as the Youth team Secretary as he can no longer guarantee being able to get to the ground to do the team sheets during midweek by the specified time that the team sheets need to be exchanged, but will continue as Hon. Treasurer, Webmaster & Child Protection Officer. Hon. Secretary Maryse Oakes is taking over the Hon. Fixtures & Youth team Secretary duties as part of her role, with disciplinary matters transferring from the Hon. Secretary's remit to the Hon. Treasurer. The club are trying to appoint a Youth team matchday secretary for the forthcoming season. Stella Lamont has stepped down as Hon. Membership Secretary. John Ward at last night's AGM was elected the new Hon. Membership Secretary.
Other Changes Admission Children Under 6 admitted for free for all matches Season tickets (amounts in brackets is cash equivalent) - valid
for league matches only Prices valid until 31st July 2009 Programmes Programmes will no longer be on sale at the turnstile, instead they will be on sale in the car park Golden Goal Friday 19th June 2009 The Combined Counties League Constitutions for 2009-2010 season was due to be published this evening. The FA have directed that Croydon should join the Combined Counties League Premier Division from the Kent League meaning that Hartley Wintney are no longer reprieved - Hartley Wintney have put an appeal into the FA National League Systems committee that will be heard next Thursday. As the Kent League constitution was set last night (Thursday) and Croydon Municipal who will ground share at Croydon Arena next season were elected as members of Combined Counties League Division 1, we look likely to welcoming Croydon again this season. If Hartley Wintney win their appeal this would mean that the Premier Division will be oversubscribed requiring approval from the FA for our division to run with 23 teams next season, if approval is not given then the league will be able to promote one less team from Division 1 that would mean Dorking would be the one's to miss out and a likely appeal from them - watch this space! Wednesday 10th June 2009 The first of the League Annual General Meetings took place this evening at Gander Green Lane as the Suburban League ratified the constitution for the new season. The South Division line up is as follows: Chessington & Hook United Welling United and Woking were both elected into the league at the meeting along with five new clubs in the North Division (Chesham United, Hartley Wintney, Hemel Hempstead Town, Leverstock Green & Tring Athletic). Last year's South Division champions Leatherhead have been promoted and so were Croydon Athletic but they decided to resign before the meeting today. Beaconsfield SYCOB, Bedfont Green and Northwood were all promoted from the North Division to the Premier Division, Corinthian-Casuals dropping out the Premier into our division and Chalfont St. Peter to the North Division. Clubs resigning from the Suburban League were Eastbourne Borough and Walton Casuals from our division, Amersham Town and Fleet Town from the North Division and Burgess Hill Town, Burnham and Dunstable Town from the Premier Division. Sunday 07th June 2009 In accordance with Rule 7, notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday 21st June 2009, at Banstead Athletic F.C., Merland Rise, Tadworth, commencing at 8pm. Non-members are allowed to attend but they will not be able to vote or receive a copy of the club accounts. Membership Renewal forms will be sent out to existing members this week along with the AGM paperwork and the annual subscription is due for payment by 01st August 2009. New members are welcome Sunday 17th May 2009 The end of season presentation evening took place on Friday at Imber Court Sports Club, it was disappointing that three people had to drop out during the day on Friday and another seven people decided not to turn up despite ordering meals - the following awards & presentations were given out 2008-2009 Roll of Honour Clubman of the Year - Neil Harrowing Flowers - Wendy Collard & Sara Deacons (Kit Washing), Maryse Oakes (Club Secretary/Presentation Evening organisation) Presentation to Lyndon Buckwell from team and separate present from Committee for his daughter Evelyn Youth Reserves Youth Photos from the evening are available via the link on the home page. It is with regret that despite promises to pay on the evening and a gentle reminder on this page last week, a number of people still decided to fail to pay their outstanding amount - those few that feel its correct to have a free meal by failing to pay spoil it for the majority that either paid before or on the night meaning that the club is having to make up the difference.. Tuesday 12th May 2009 Thanks to the good season that we experienced which has just ended, the offers for pre-season fixtures have flooded in, unfortunately the majority of requests that we have received are asking for possible matches to be played at Merland Rise and too few slots to accomodate all requests. The only matches definitely booked at present are Crescent Rovers at home on Saturday 18th July at 11am which is likely to be used as a fixture for reserve & fringe first team players and the Dave Wilson Trophy 2009. Last year's beaten finalists Banstead Athletic open up the tournament against Molesey in a repeat of the 2007 final on Tuesday 28th July. Epsom & Ewell defending the title won last pre-season start the defence on Thursday 30th July against Leatherhead and their new manager Mick Sullivan who resigned yesterday from the role of manager at Merstham. The finals day will be held on Saturday 01st August - an alteration to previous years is that the 3rd/4th place play-off will kick off at 11am and the final at 3:30pm this year. The club are trying to fix up an away day to the Sussex Coast with a double header for both the first and reserves. We are in negotiations with Banstead over two home midweek dates. A number of away pre-season fixtures are also trying to be arranged so that the first and reserves get plenty of friendlies. Manager Lyndon Buckwell commenting "Pre-season is starting a week earlier for next season, our plan to play plenty of friendlies worked well last season and therefore the objective is to get at least six to eight friendlies under our belts before the start of the season". We are hoping to secure an away friendly on Saturday 11th or Tuesday 14th July. Presentation Evening 2008/09 The presentation evening is fast approaching at Imber Court this Friday evening. The club are delighted to announce that the glittering end of season evening being held in the Imber Court ballroom is a sell-out with all 96 seats sold for the evening (with two people on the reserve list!). Following the dinner and the presentation of the awards, entertainment will be in the form of Phill Marshall performing live music as John Lennon - Phill is one quarter of the UK acclaimed Beatles tribute bands Beatles4Ever. For those that have not paid yet, please remember to bring your money with you on Friday night. Wednesday 06th May 2009 Camberley Town and Bookham finalised the placings in the table as they concluded the Combined Counties League Premier Division season this evening at Meadowbank - the mathematics for Camberley were simple as if they won they leapfrogged both Chertsey and ourselves to finish third but they could only manage a high scoring 4-4 draw that has meant Epsom & Ewell finish fourth on goal difference behind Chertsey Town, our position should mean that we will get an exemption in the FA Vase to the first round proper next season. Tuesday 05th May 2009 Epsom & Ewell's reserves completed their season with a 4-3 win against Crowborough Athletic. Epsom & Ewell were thwarted by excellent goalkeeping in the early stages of the match and harshly found themselves a goal down on 38 minutes as the Epsom side failed to close down a Crowborough free-kick properly, the follow-up being fired into the far top corner from the edge of the area. Andy Amfo-Brobbey sneaked in to get the better of the visiting defence to fire an equaliser on 40 minutes but a major lapse by Epsom on the stroke of half-time allowed a Crowborough striker to go through three challenges and beat Jack Witts on a tight angle. Epsom got a roasting at half-time as chances came and went in the opening quarter an hour of the second half - the match looking likely to go the same way as the Godalming defeat a fortnight ago. Andy Amfo-Brobbey on 60 minutes showed why he has caught the eye of Lyndon Buckwell in the last month of the season that saw him feature in a number of first team games as he managed to get on to the end of a Ben Hayward pass to fire home from a similar angle and distance to his strike at Camberley last week. Epsom took a deserved lead on 66 minutes as Peter Solomon's long ball sent Ben Radford away, the Epsom striker getting taken down from behind as he was about to release the trigger to drill the ball home inside the Crowborough area, Jordan Ellis stepping up to convert from the penalty mark. Epsom sealed the win on 75 minutes as intricate play allowed the ball to reach Amfo-Brobbey who turned to provider, his ball across the six yard box finding Joe Diggins with an unstoppable powerful volley from 8 yards out into the roof of the net. Crowborough managed to grab a consolation goal on 89 minutes, a corner delivered into the middle of the area saw a shot blocked by Jack Witts legs, the ball bouncing to a visiting midfielder to smash the ball at the Epsom goal, Matt Chapman tried to keep it out with his knee on the goal line but he was only able to deflect it into the roof of the net. Saturday 02nd May 2009 Epsom & Ewell finished off the season with a 2-1 win away at Colliers Wood this afternoon. Kyle Hough came closest on 8 minutes as his cross rattled off the top of the crossbar, the lead though was taken on 16 minutes as a Gary McLaughlin cross bounced low through the home box, Robbie Burns managing to control the ball with the aid of his chest before firing home from 12 yards out. Jamie Hatfield's cross from wide on the left wing managed to ratlle the crossbar for a second time in the first half on 32 minutes. Further chances occurred from corners but the efforts by McKay with a header on 36 minutes and Hough with a delicate chip on 39 minutes both went wide of the goal. Epsom & Ewell extended the lead on 50 minutes a ball into the box by Shane Sinclair saw the ball become a pinball as it hit a number of players inside the box, a Robbie Burns outstretched foot deflected the ball towards the unmarked Dale Marvell but Ben Hayward arriving in the box fired home from 10 yards out, the ball rolling over the dusty ground in the penalty area at speed created a cloud of dust that engulfed the players and Epsom supporters behind the goal. The two goal cushion lasted just over 45 seconds though, Peter Solomon who had come on as a half-time substitute for Jamie Hatfield tried to pass the ball back to Paul Borg but gave it straight to Ramzi Bedj-Bedj, Solomon was given a second opportunity to try to get a clean contact on the ball to get it back to Borg by a poor first touch by the Wood striker but Solomon passed it back into the path of Bedj-Bedj who rounded Borg who had come to the edge of the area enabling the ball to be rolled into the empty net. Epsom & Ewell were on the ropes for the next five minutes as Colliers Wood were presented with two chances but on both occasions the ball was rolled the wrong side of the post. Andy Amfo-Brobbey's introduction with fifteen minutes left re-injected life into the Epsom side, Amfo-Brobbey's perseverance saw him gain the ball off a defender on 84 minutes that resulted in his snap shot from 15 yards out turned around the post by a low diving save by the home keeper. Amfo-Brobbey managed to collect a Shane Sinclair pass on 88 minutes, his ball back across the six yard box forcing a covering Colliers Wood player to turn the ball out for a corner to prevent the ball from reaching Kyle Hough. Thursday 30th April 2009 Epsom & Ewell's youth team ended their season with a 4-0 defeat at Greenwich Borough. The match being Greenwich Borough's penultimate one to take place at their Eltham ground before it is shut and bulldozed as part of a local regeneration programme that will see the club relocate to Holmesdale where they will be ground sharing next season. The game did not start well for Epsom as Greenwich Borough took a third minute lead through an opportunistic home player picking up an attempted back pass to chip the ball over Ed Humphreys. Failure by Epsom to get a strong challenge in on numerous occasions allowed the hosts to fire home on 15 minutes to double their lead. Epsom came close to scoring before and shortly after half-time but further goals on 59 minutes and 87 minutes compounded the Epsom anguish. Wednesday 29th April 2009 The club wishes to announce that we are currently investigating different options for the club's website for next season and we announce our intentions well in advance of any changes so as to not alarm our regular readers of the club's website. Why the change? Since I took over the website from Jamie Sinclair in November 2003 the site has been written and uploaded via MS Frontpage which only allows one person to access and publish the website to the internet, now is the time to change the format of the website so that we get a web team in place who can publish content of news, reports, articles to the website independently of myself. It is with great pleasure that
the club can announce that the first signing to the new web team is John Ward
who has been receiving rave reviews in this season's programme with his
excellent articles, interviews and fantasy league side, and he makes his writing
debut today with the two following articles. John from the start of next season
will be writing the match reports for the first team Tuesday 28th April 2009 Epsom & Ewell went down battling in a 3-2 defeat against Camberley Town that sees the Krooner Park outfit now in pole position to finish second. Camberley opened the scoring on 21 minutes with a shot from the edge of the area that went in off the inside of the post, Robbie Burns drew Epsom level on 28 minutes by prodding home a cross from 10 yards out past the Camberley keeper. Epsom took a 49th minute lead when a Camberley clearance fell into the path of substitute Andy Amfo-Brobbey to fire home just inside the far post from 12 yards out. Camberley levelled on 53 minutes as a gap in the Epsom defence allowed the home player to cut inside and fire low past Paul Borg. Epsom & Ewell thought that the lead was restored on 62 minutes as Richard Webber appeared to get to the ball just in time to hook it back to Andy Amfo-Brobbey who fired home past the Camberley keeper from 10 yards out but the assistant flagged that the ball had gone out despite his view looking to be impaired by the bodies of three players between himself and the ball. Camberley Town what turned out to be the winner on 69 minutes, the ball appearing from nowhere and beat Paul Borg. Despite our efforts we were unable to score an equaliser - the effort put in by the Epsom players could not be faulted and we didn't deserve to lose the match. Unfortunately the match will be remembered for the wrong reasons due to the chewing-gum spitting incident on Richard Webber whilst receiving treatment with ten minutes to go that saw manager Lyndon Buckwell being sent from the dugout, Richard Webber after the match shown a red card and assistant Tony Coombe being reported for comments made after the match, yet the Camberley perpetrator has not been reported. Monday 27th April 2009 Due to the way that the results occurred in the Suburban League South Division on Saturday, Epsom & Ewell reserves knew that they were going to finish in fifth place this season with two matches left of the season which allowed the reserves to go out tonight and enjoy themselves with no pressure on them. Epsom & Ewell were looking to revenge the heaviest defeat of the season (6-1) that occurred at the hands of tonight's visitors but the E's found themselves a goal down on 6 minutes, Colin Mortley who has stepped in during the season on a number of occasions when we have had shortages of available keepers managed to allow a free-kick to somehow creep through his body and over the line. Epsom stepped up a gear and got a deserved equaliser on 25 minutes, Andy Amfo-Brobbey collecting the ball off Nathan Ayling as he managed to wriggle past an attempted tackle to line up a shot from a narrow angle 12 yards out that was placed just inside the far post. Following on from Kyle Hough and Dale Marvell's spectacular goals on Saturday for the first team, Simon Moore notched a goal to add to the plethora at Merland Rise in the past 48 hours, an Epsom & Ewell move on 29 minutes involving six different players saw the ball eventually crossed in by Gary Dennis with inch perfect precision to find Simon Moore to execute a volley from the edge of the area that flew straight into the bottom right corner leaving the Oakwood keeper motionless on his line. Epsom could have scored at least double figures in the second half, Nathan Ayling thwarted by the visitors keeper in a one on one on 47 minutes, Simon Moore fired a shot wide of the far post fro just inside the box on 48 minutes and Andy Amfo-Brobbey saw an effort from 15 yards out that looked destined for the top corner somehow tipped just over the crossbar by the Oakwood keeper. The resulting corner though saw Epsom's third, the ball floated into the box, Nathan Ayling with a flick-on finding the outstretched leg of Joe Diggins seeing the ball fly into the roof of the net off Diggins' shin. Andy Amfo-Brobbey, Ben Radford, Dennis Nyarko, Nathan Ayling, Joe Diggins and Simon Moore all had shots from inside the penalty area of the forlorn Oakwood but all managed to miss the goal by inches each time. Epsom found themselves conceding a second goal on 86 minutes, a visitors corner saw keeper Colin Mortley fumble in the six yard box, Oakwood proding the ball home from close range. Disaster for Epsom nearly occurred two minutes later as another Oakwood corner was only half cleared, the shot by a Oakwood player seeing Epsom keeper Colin Mortley get a part of his body in the way to deflect the ball on to the crossbar, Chris Barnes volleying the loose ball clear finding Dennis Nyarko to cut inside and fire in a first time shot from 25 yards that flew home just inside the near post past the despairing dive of the Oakwood keeper - the strike was almost similar to Dale Marvell's on Saturday but this one was more spectacular as Nyarko's effort was more wider than Marvell's. Sunday 26th April 2009 Well done Ross Youth match postponed Player of the Year Votes All six of the player of the year categories are all still too close to call. Menus and covering payment needs to be paid as soon as possible and by Saturday at the latest. Saturday 25th April 2009 Epsom & Ewell completed the home matches of the league campaign with a 3-0 home win against Wembley. Epsom & Ewell made a couple of changes to the side that drew at Chessington & Hook in midweek, Charlie West was ruled out with a leg injury seeing Alex McKay drop back into centre-back position, Dale Marvell and Andy Amfo-Brobbey were rested as Ben Hayward, Shane Sinclair and Gary McLaughlin all started in midfield. Epsom & Ewell had the greater amount of possession in the first half but were thwarted on each occasion that the ball was played into the Wembley box as the visitors keeper plucked the ball out of the air easily. Shane Sinclair playing in more of a free role was looking very threatening going forward but seemed to be adjudged offside on a frequent basis - some were rather tight calls; although on 34 minutes it was Sinclair that latched on to a flick on by Robbie Burns to knock the ball into the box but then suffer a flailing arm of the Wembley covering defender in the face a yard within the the Wembley box, all the home appeals were turned down. Epsom like the last three home matches looked likely to go in level despite having the better opportunities, but Epsom got the deserved goal on the stroke of half-time as a Kyle Hough corner was floated in, Robbie Burns getting a flick on and Alex McKay using all of his neck muscles to powerfully head the ball into the far corner of the net - no nightmare like Tuesday was allowed to happen as the referee blew for half-time immediately after Wembley had re-started the match. Epsom & Ewell made work of the opening five minutes of the second half as nerves appeared to kick in, but as soon as the 50th minute ticked by on the clock the home side settled again. Epsom & Ewell doubled their advantage on 61 minutes as a run down the right wing by Shane Sinclair saw the winger lay the ball into Marcus Rose who immediately prodded it on into the path of Kyle Hough to unleash a volley from just inside the box that arched just inside the far post. Dale Marvell who had come on as a replacement for Kyle Hough nearly added a third when his cross from the left wing took a wicked deflection off a Wembley defender's leg as it spun just over the crossbar on to the roof of the net on 78 minutes. Alex McKay was inches away from scoring a brace on 84 minutes, Dale Marvell's corner dropping in the middle of the Wembley box, McKay turning on a sixpence to leather the ball goalwards from 10 yards out seeing the ball crash off the face of the crossbar. The three points were sealed in the first minute of injury time, Wembley who had put pressure on the Epsom goal for the previous five minutes that resulted in a string of corners only had three players back when Ben Hayward cleared the ball out of the Epsom box, Dale Marvell picking up the ball just inside the Wembley half to run at pace seeing him cut inside both Wembley defenders in his path and then letting rip with a powerful low shot from 20 yards out that swerved in the air to beat the Wembley keeper at his near post. The clean sheet recorded was the 18th of the season which equalled the club record in the 2002/03 season. With Chertsey only picking up a point at Colliers Wood United, the runners-up spot is now back in our own hands if we manage to record two wins in the 180 minutes of remaining first team football this season. Club Statement It has been inaccurately reported on an internet forum this evening that midfielder Dale Marvell will be suspended for our final two matches of the season (as per Surrey CFA rule 11.4a(iv)), but as his tenth caution of the season was not recorded until after the second Sunday in April he has been severely warned (as per Surrey CFA rule 11.4a(v)). Wednesday 22nd April 2009 Epsom & Ewell's Youth team drew 2-2 at home to Colliers Wood United tonight. Colliers Wood raced into a two goal lead in the opening 20 minutes as a close range shot and then a penalty put the visitors in the driving seat. Luke Longhurst pulled the home side back to being only one goal behind on the stroke of half-time. Dayle Honess headed Epsom level mid way through the second half and Jake Hill appeared to score a third goal for Epsom as the netting rippled but both the referee and his assistant were not in a position to confirm the ball had gone over the line. Tuesday 21st April 2009 Epsom & Ewell were held to a 2-2 draw at Chessington & Hook as the ending of both halves looked symmetrical. With Lyndon Buckwell unavailable due to work commitments, assistant manager Tony Coombe started with Jamie Hatfield in place of the unavailable Gary Dennis, Richard Webber moving into the right back position in place of injured Ben Hayward with Alex McKay replacing Gary McLaughlin in midfield. Chessington & Hook had the better of the chances in front of goal during the first half but Epsom & Ewell came strong in the final ten minutes of the first half as Robbie Burns was taken down on the edge of the six yard box on 37 minutes by home keeper Mark Daniels in an almost identical challenge to Lee Pearce's on Saturday on Burns - the penalty was awarded on Saturday but a different referee tonight waved the appeal away. Epsom took a 44th minute lead as Andy Amfo-Brobbey picked the ball up some 25 yards out and kinked his way into the box through five attempted tackles before slide rule passing the ball into Robbie Burns to hit a shot from 15 yards out that swerved away from Mark Daniels and just inside the far post. Epsom though continued their recent trend of conceding a goal within two minutes of scoring, a long ball seeing the ball bounce in the middle of the Epsom penalty area, hesitancy between Borg and the Epsom defence allowed Sol Bonner-Patterson to sneak in and head the ball past Borg. Epsom & Ewell gave Chessington & Hook a chance of going ahead on 81 minutes in what was a very dour half up until this point, Chessington managing to get a ball crossed into the box, Borg diving feet first trying to complete a low save flapped as the ball came through the middle of the box but thankfully the ball also evaded the two Chessington players. Charlie West arriving on the front post managed to get a cheeky back heel on to the ball but the outside of the post came to the hosts rescue on 82 minutes and substitute Gary McLaughlin managed to get on to a Shane Sinclair cross field ball on 84 minutes as he arrived at the back post but McLaughlin's effort from a tight angle 10 yards out was turned around the post for a corner. Memories of last season's League Cup win were thought to have been resurrected on 89 minutes, a cross from the Epsom right wing seeing Robbie Burns in the middle of the Chessington six yard box springing in the air to head the ball back across the goal from 6 yards out, Chessington keeper Mark Daniels leaping to his left to get a glove on to the ball but he was helpless to prevent the ball from finding the ceiling of the net. Unfortunately the current hoo-doo surfaced again, two defensive clearances out of the ground saw a minor delay as somebody went to collect the lost balls, Epsom then switching off as firstly a cross field ball from the eventual throw-in was put out for another Chessington throw by an unforced error, the resulting long throw straight along the edge of the Epsom box seeing Gary McLaughlin put his name on the ball seeing the Epsom defence stop but McLaughlin was unable to reach the ball allowing Sol Bonner-Patterson to collect unmarked to curl the ball home past Borg from 12 yards out. Monday 20th April 2009 Both the reserves and Youth teams were in action this evening. Epsom & Ewell's reserves succumbed to a 2-1 defeat as a third match in five days was just one match too many. Godalming took a 15th minute lead as a spare Godalming player was able to roll the ball home from 10 yards out after a neat passing move. Tiredness allowed a shot from just inside the box to be guided past the outstretched Jack Witts as no defenders closed the Godalming player down. The second half was one way traffic as Epsom had an onslaught towards the Godalming goal, twice the ball clattered off the crossbar, twice off the post and four outstanding saves by the visitors keeper kept Epsom off the score sheet until the 86th minute when Nathan Ayling guided the ball home from relatively close range. Epsom came close in injury time to equalising when an inswinging free-kick was dangerous but the Godalming keeper did enough to claim the ball. Epsom's youth side went down 3-1 at Gander Green Lane against divisional champions Sutton United, Sutton opened the scoring mid-way through the first half but Epsom grabbed an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Sutton came out stronger in the second half and added two goals to keep their unblemished record in the league this season. Colts success at Merland Rise Epsom & Ewell's Colts Under 12's were in action yesterday on Merland Rise's main pitch as they won the Epsom & Ewell Youth Football League Under 12 Sunday Cup with a 3-2 victory over Stoneleigh Athletic. Epsom & Ewell went into the match with an unblemished league & cup record in Epsom Youth League competitions and were soon ahead but two quick fire goals saw Stoneleigh go in at half-time with a 2-1 lead. Epsom scored from a long range effort some five minutes into the second half and sealed the win with a solo goal with fifteen minutes to go to wrap up a league & cup double. The presentation ceremony was funnily a Merland Rise affair as the trophy and medals was presentyed to the Colts by Banstead Athletic chairman Terry Molloy. There are further cup finals upcoming for our Colts section as the Under 15's are in the West Surrey Youth League Under 15 Invitational Cup Final against Meadow Sports this Sunday (26th April) at Molesey F.C. with a kick-off time of 12:30, a win for the Under 15's will complete their league & cup double as they pipped Bedfont Green to the title. The Under 9 B side is in the D K P Finishing sponsored Epsom & Ewell Youth League Under 9 Division 2 Cup Final against Bookham Colts B on 9th May. Turning back to Epsom & Ewell Youth League Cup Finals at Merland Rise, there will be significant interest in both finals on Sunday 03rd May as Epsom & Ewell Reserve team assistant manager Trevor Smith is the manager of Merstham Youth A who are in the Under 15 final which kicks-off at 2pm, and immediately following this match is the Stella Lamont Under 14 Cup Final that kicks off at 4:15pm - Stella is not only the president of Epsom & Ewell F.C. but also a life president of Epsom & Ewell Youth League and was one of the founding members of the Epsom & Ewell Parks League as it was then known when it was formed. If it wasn't for the Epsom & Ewell Parks/Youth League being formed there might not have been teams to bring players through to senior football such as first team manager Lyndon Buckwell, reserve team manager Lee Anderson, Scotland international Matt Elliott and current players like Dale Marvell & Robbie Burns. Saturday 18th April 2009 Bedfont Green wrapped up the title with a 4-2 win against Epsom & Ewell, the match going the same way as other recent matches as Epsom & Ewell could have been easily ahead at half-time but found luck against them and the defensive mistakes in the second half consigned Epsom & Ewell to a defeat. Charlie West started in place of Richard Webber and Andy Amfo-Brobbey who has been hitting the goals on a regular occurrence for the reserves in the past month was given his chance as he started up front with Robbie Burns, Shane Sinclair dropping to the bench. The presence of the pacey Amfo-Brobbey saw Epsom dominate the opening twenty minutes, Ben Hayward being able to get forward in support as he collected a half clearance to hit a half volley that required Bedfont Green keeper Lee Pearce into a blocking save high to his left to deflect the ball over for a corner on 8 minutes. Ben Hayward forced another effort to be deflected over on 12 minutes with a driving effort. Kyle Hough nearly scored direct from a corner on 16 minutes as the corner with wind assistance clattered the face of the crossbar, Bedfont Green getting it clear somehow. The only goal in the first half came on 29 minutes as Bedfont Green against the run of play scored rather fortuitously, Dale Marvell trying to beat the same home player for the sixth time managed to get the ball flicked away from his control, the ball spread out to Chris Henry with Ben Hayward in close contact, Henry's cross taking a deflection off the shin of Charlie West that saw the ball fly over Paul Borg into the net. Epsom tried their hardest to break down the Bedfont Green defence but no further clear opportunity presented itself before the half-time whistle. Epsom & Ewell found themselves two goals behind on 52 minutes as a home corner was only half cleared, the ball being chipped from some 12 yards out back over Paul Borg into the far top corner of the net. Epsom & Ewell were able to reduced the arrears almost immediately as a Kyle Hough cross into the box saw Andy Amfo-Brobbey flick the ball on, Robbie Burns bringing the ball down with a chest control allowing himself to execute a finish from 12 yards out on 54 minutes to record Epsom's 100th goal in all competitions this season. The joy was short lived though as Epsom & Ewell gifted Bedfont Green their two-goal cushion back again on 58 minutes, the passing from one side to the other that has crept into the Epsom play saw a Bedfont Green player get his boot on to the ball to send it into Chris Henry in acres of space to round Paul Borg and slot the ball home. Epsom & Ewell won a penalty on 68 minutes as Dale Marvell linked up with Robbie Burns, the ball laid into Burns who turned his marker 6 yards out only then to be felled from behind, Kyle Hough striking the ball low past Lee Pearce. Bedfont Green scored a fourth on 72 minutes as a result of another Epsom gift, Gary Dennis' attempted pass trying to find Gary McLaughlin was blocked, the ball falling into the path of a home player to have a run in on goal, the ball being played underneath the body of Paul Borg who had come out to narrow the angle. Andy Amfo-Brobbey's endeavour with minutes to go saw him manage to pinch the ball off a Bedfont Green player to lay it into the path of Dale Marvell, the shot by Marvell being blocked on the post by a covering home player. Reserves chalk up record home win at Cobham Epsom & Ewell's reserves were having to play our home Suburban League South Division match against Cobham at their ground as there were insufficient slots at Merland Rise to fit in all of our remaining reserve team fixtures - the reserves turning in what is believed to be an Epsom & Ewell club record 8-0 home win in Suburban League competitions as the reserves extended their run to ten consecutive wins. Epsom & Ewell found themselves three goals up at half-time as Paul Durrans shot was turned into the net by the Cobham keeper on 7 minutes, Ben Radford scored Epsom's second goal on 23 minutes and Simon Moore made it three on 37 minutes. The Epsom side went on the rampage in the second half as Simon Moore added the fourth goal on 56 minutes, Russell Wiliams scoring Epsom's fifth on 75 minutes, Simon Moore completed his hat-trick and Epsom's sixth on 89 minutes before adding the seventh in the first minute of injury time and the eighth with his fifth another minute later. Wednesday 15th April 2009 Epsom & Ewell continued their fine recent form which has now extended to nine wins and a draw in their last 10 outings thanks to a 2-1 home win against Leatherhead. The match saw a bumper crowd in attendance as the visitors supporters came along to congratulate their side for winning the Suburban League South division title at Fetcham Grove last Saturday as the Tanners fans were able to take team photos prior to the start of the match. Leatherhead had the opening chance of the match on 5 minutes as a rasping shot required Jack Witts to make an excellent save to turn the ball around the far post. Epsom's flowing football started to show as the visitors were pinned back for most of the first half, Ben Radford should have put Epsom a goal up on 23 minutes as his run saw him get on the end of a pass by Peter Solomon, Radford managing to stick out a boot 8 yards from goal to flick it past the Tanners keeper but the ball clipped the outside of the post allowing it to go for a goal kick. Andy Amfo-Brobbey had a powerful shot from 12 yards out that the visitors keeper did well to hold after 29 minutes and Amfo-Brobbey called the keeper into action again on 37 minutes as his effort from 10 yards out was parried, Amfo-Brobbey getting to the loose ball but his second effort was blocked by a despairing lunge of a covering Leatherhead defender who deflected the ball on to the post. The deserved opening goal came on 42 minutes as Ben Radford done the hard work to get into the box with the ball, his effort blocked by the Tanners keeper allowing the ball to find Andy Amfo-Brobbey with a follow-up shot, the Tanners keeper blocking with an outstretched boot on his goal line, Jordan Ellis arriving at the right moment in support to tuck the loose ball away from no more than 8 yards out. Epsom & Ewell stepped up another gearing in the second half as Leatherhead were pressured into mistakes, Ben Radford and Andy Amfo-Brobbey both being given opportunities to extend the lead in the opening ten minutes but the Tanners defence managed to block both efforts allowing the balls to go out for Epsom & Ewell corners. The lead was doubled on 61 minutes as an Alex McKay through ball looked to have been over hit but a lung bursting run by Andy Amfo-Brobbey appearing to be chasing a lost cause saw the Epsom striker get his boot to the ball to flick it past the dive of the on-rushing keeper just inside the Leatherhead box, Amfo-Brobbey slotting the ball into the unguarded net from 15 yards out. Epsom could have gone further ahead on 68 minutes as a Peter Solomon pass looked as though Ben Radford was away for a one on one, the linesman flagging for offside but Radford was still in his own half when Solomon played the ball. Leatherhead had their first effort of the second half on 80 minutes, a rising drive forcing Jack Witts to deflect the ball wide of the goal for a corner. The resulting corner was delayed for just over a minute while the visitors made a couple of changes, Chris Barnes climbing to head the ball clear of the area, the ball falling to a Leatherhead player to volley the ball from just outside the area back through the crowded box as it curved away from Jack Witts' dive to bounce in off the inside of the post - the goal ending a 673 minutes run of not conceding a goal. Leatherhead pressed for what would have been an undeserved equaliser but Epsom & Ewell held out comfortably for the win to inflict only the second league defeat suffered by Leatherhead this season. Monday 13th April 2009 Epsom & Ewell crashed to a third consecutive home defeat as Banstead Athletic won 2-0. Epsom & Ewell saw Richard Webber start in place of Chris Barnes in the only change to the starting line-up from Saturday's draw against Chertsey. The first half went the same way as the past two home defeats before as Epsom & Ewell had the majority of play and possession but found themselves going in at half-time without putting their names on the score sheet. Dale Marvell cracking a shot in on 11 minutes that keeper Dave Tidy did well to save to his right, Marcus Rose coming the closest of all the Epsom opportunities to score past Dave Tidy on 26 minutes, a lay back by Robbie Burns found Rose with a chip that looped over Tidy but crashed off the crossbar and clear of an Epsom player following up. Dale Marvell had another shot from distance on 42 minutes that flashed wide of Tidy's post. The second half seemed to be all Banstead as a result of the Epsom side appearing to fail to come out of the dressing room for the second half as the work rate was very poor, there was no tracking back at times, passing was going sideways most of the time and the ball was not crossed into the box on numerous occasions when opportunity presented itself. There were warning signs for Epsom which rung true on 65 minutes, a swift passing move seeing the ball put into the path of the Banstead player to slot the ball home past Paul Borg from 6 yards out. Epsom tried to press for an equaliser with limited success and it was Banstead that settled the win on 82 minutes as a corner was headed home by the Banstead player jumping on the front post. Easter Conundrum ... answer It seems that there is a quite a few people (in fact 31 to be precise) that knew the answer (or possibly googled it!) Answer: Sir Bobby Charlton - he made 100+ caps for England, played in three testimonials for Celtic in the 1960's and won a Lonsdale belt in a charity auction! - the first person to get an e-mail in was reserve team player Paul Durrans, followed within fifteen minutes by Epsom & Ewell Colts chairman Mike Lovett and president Stella Lamont. There was a second answer that also appears to be correct but we have not been able to verify it - former physio John "Geordie" Carleton answered Wilf Minter who played 100+ England Amateur internationals (google search shows that he had an illustratious career as an England amateur whilst playing for Dulwich Hamlet and Slough Town in the 1920's & 1930's but no definite number are shown as an international amateur), he played a testimonial for Celtic in the early 1930's and also won a Lonsdale belt in an auction!. Match Photos Throughout this season you will have seen the webmaster taking photos around the ground at home first team matches, many players asking if & when they can be published as the only time that they have been seen are on the programme covers (or if they have personally requested photos of themselves playing) - due to webspace limitations on the current website it has not been possible until now to publish the photos. A web portal for the Epsom & Ewell F.C. match photos has been set up on the photo sharing website Flickr, the web address where the photos are located is http://www.flickr.com/photos/eefcphotos/sets/. The match photos against Cove and some against Raynes Park Vale are already being displayed along with some of the photos from today's match have been uploaded with more to be uploaded tomorrow. Saturday 11th April 2009 Epsom & Ewell battled back to gain a draw at Chertsey this afternoon. Epsom & Ewell started with Chris Barnes starting in place of Charlie West and Gary McLaughlin starting in place of Ben Radford as the only changes to the starting line-up from Tuesday's 4-3 win against Badshot Lea. Epsom & Ewell looked threatening throughout the first half and rattled the hosts resulting in the home side displaying their indiscipline. Paul Borg had to be in top form though to deny Chertsey three times during the first half when John Pomroy had two efforts from roughly ten yards out tipped over the crossbar on 14 and 26 minutes and Borg was in the right place to make a comfortable save from an Aaron McLeish header on 22 minutes. Robbie Burns was on the end of a Shane Sinclair cross on 28 minutes, his powerful header from 10 yards out forcing Chertsey keeper Michael Lidbury to move to his left by no more than two yards to execute a simple save. Marcus Rose swept a pass out into Shane Sinclair's path on 33 minutes, the Epsom midfielder breaking the offside trap to bring the ball inside the box unfortunately Sinclair delayed a split second too long allowing Scott Bamford to come sliding in with a blocking challenge as Sinclair tried to cross the ball to one of three Epsom players screaming for the ball in the form of Dale Marvell, Gary McLaughlin and Robbie Burns who were all arriving at the edge of the six yard box. Robbie Burns collected a lay off by Dale Marvell on 42 minutes, Burns turning his marker allowing him to have clear sight of goal, his effort from 15 yards out being palmed away by Chertsey keeper Michael Lidbury. Chertsey were in better spirits and form in the second half as they started to boss the match, one too many sloppy passes and tackles resulted in a free0kick by the corner flag which was floated in towards the back post, the Chertsey player at the back post outjumping two Epsom players to execute a downward header from 8 yards out. Chertsey should have put themselves out of sight and secured the three points, John Pomroy for the third time in the match being denied by Paul Borg who managed to deflect a shot over the crossbar on 54 minutes, Aaron McLeish connecting with a powerful flying header 12 yards out, the ball crashing back off the uPVC goal frame for Alex Rodrigues to clear, former Brentford player Paul Brooker forced Paul Borg into deflecting his shot from the edge of the area into the side netting on 63 minutes and John Pomroy was sent clear for what looked like a certain second goal on 68 minutes but Chris Barnes produced a lung bursting run to get back and perform a sliding challenge to deflect for a corner the Chertsey marksman's attempted shot. Shane Sinclair's pressure on the Chertsey keeper saw Michael Lidbury fluff his clearance straight to Gary McLaughlin's who headed the ball on to Dale Marvell to flick on to Robbie Burns to first time side foot the ball over the stranded home keeper, the despairing run of Stuart Bamford saw the Chertsey defender manage to reach the ball just in time to head the ball over the crossbar with just a foot to spare, Bamford requiring the help of the crossbar to stop Epsom equalising. The resulting 70th minute corner was delayed as Chertsey performed a mortal footballing sin by performing a substitution, the corner by Hough floated into the box seeing Marcus Rose get a minor flick-on, the ball finding its way into the back of the net with the help of a major deflection off a home defenders' head and Chertsey keeper Michael Lidbury who managed to miss the ball with his attempted punch as the ball hit his forearm and diverted into his own net. The final twenty minutes were end to end entertainment as both sides went looking for a winner, Dale Marvell twisting and turning in the Chertsey box on 78 minutes before firing in a shot from the edge of the box, Chertsey keeper Michael Lidbury getting down low to his left to make a save but the ball squirmed away from his body, Lidbury though managed to gather the loose ball seconds ahead of the incoming Robbie Burns. Chertsey were left in uproar on 82 minutes as they thought that the ball was over the line off a John Pomroy effort before Ben Hayward cleared the ball, the referee deeming it had not crossed the line, the resulting counter-attack seeing Epsom with a four on three advantage, the final effort by Kyle Hough from 12 yards out seeing Stuart Bamford with a blocking challenge as the ball went for another Epsom corner. Epsom & Ewell were denied a possible penalty when Kyle Hough appeared to be brought down by Michael Lidbury as he cut in but the Chertsey keeper did appear to get the ball split seconds before then catching Kyle Hough with his folow through. Wednesday 08th April 2009 Epsom & Ewell's youth team bowed out of the Southern Youth League Cup tonight with an undeserved 4-3 loss in the penalty lottery. Epsom & Ewell found themselves behind on 6 minutes when a weak penalty appeal saw the referee point to the penalty spot, the visiting player making no mistake from the spot. Epsom & Ewell's hard work eventually paid off when Alec Tuppen was presented with a ball on 63 minutes as he managed to beat the Croydon keeper from 12 yards out. Epsom's cause was put into a better position on 80 minutes when their midfielder lashed out in retaliation to an incoming tackle as he landed a punch which resulted in a straight red card. Epsom with only 11 available players upped the anti and gained a deserved goal to take the lead on 94 minutes, James Voisey's effort from the edge of the box was almost identical to Dale Marvell's opener the prior night at Badshot Lea. Epsom looked comfortable to see out the win to take them through to a semi-final match at Greenwich Borough next Thursday but Croydon somehow managed to get a floated corner down on to the deck and then scramble the ball over the line on 118 minutes to force the penalty lottery. The shoot-out went into a sudden death situation as both teams could only score three out of their five kicks, Epsom's sixth was saved allowing the visitors to convert their sixth kick. Tuesday 07th April 2009 Epsom & Ewell were looking at four straight defeats in the face as the match clicked into injury time and dropping into fifth position but two goals in the space of 48 seconds turned the game around into Epsom's favour. The first forty minutes saw both teams attacking the opposition but with very few opportunities being presented, the only clear cut chance occurring for Badshot on 41 minutes as their striker managed to nip between Alex Rodrigues and Charlie West allowing himself to round Paul Borg but he inexcusably dragged the ball wide of the post from 6 yards out. With the bookmakers at half-time making another 0-0 draw the odds on favourite result, nobody was expecting there to be a seven goal thriller in store. The game exploded into life with just over two minutes of the second half gone, Dale Marvell picking up a ball on the edge of the area where he managed to turn two home players before opening up his body to unleash a shot from just inside the area that dipped viciously on the home keeper as it grazed the underside of the bar on its way in. Epsom sprung into life to start playing the free flowing penetrating football last seen in the Banstead and North Greenford United matches. Dale Marvell had a powerful daisy cutter on 52 minutes that swung away from the Badshot keeper who managed to hold on to the ball somehow. Ben Hayward up in support managed to find the ball come into his path 9 yards out on 56 minutes, his shot managed to beat the Badshot keeper but the home centre-back somehow deflected the ball wide of the post with a despairing goal line lunge. A deserved second goal occurred on 60 minutes, Dale Marvell on an overlap whipped in a cross from the Epsom left wing that swung in towards goal, Robbie Burns and a home defender both went for the ball and both missed it on the edge of the six yard box allowing the Badshot keeper to loose sight of the ball as it drifted past him to bounce into the far corner of the net for the Epsom midfielder's second of the night. Ben Radford was then denied a third on 64 minutes, a deep corner seeing Ben Radford rising on the back post with a downward header that bounced home - the referee saying the Radford was fouling the defender even though his jump and header were cleanly executed. Epsom & Ewell were looking very comfortable until Badshot Lea with their first effort in the second half reduced the arrears, a neat one-two seeing the ball back heeled into the path of a Badshot player to execute an obviously well rehearsed move with a curling shot from 12 yards out that left Paul Borg rooted to the spot on his line. Nightmares of Bedfont came flooding back on 81 minutes, Kyle Hough found himself in his own box trying to defending, for some reason he went up in the air to try to head a ball clear by leading with his arm, the ball striking the arm and the referee pointing to the spot. Epsom keeper Paul Borg had to hardly move as the penalty was straight down the middle, the assistant referee who had angered the home supporters minutes before by flagging for a possible penalty and then putting his flag down was obviously trying to appease the home fans as he flagged for a re-take which was later revealed was for Borg apparently moving before the penalty was taken. The re-take was buried past Borg. Epsom went looking for a winner but it was the home side that seemed to have snatched a winner on 89 minutes as the the ball was played into the Epsom box, the home player using close control of the ball managed to get to the by-line and lay it back for the incoming player to guide the ball wide of Borg and into the opposite corner of the net from 10 yards out. Epsom & Ewell looked as though they had snatched a point sixty nine seconds into injury time, a cross field ball by Gary McLaughlin finding Robbie Burns, the shot from Burns across the six yard box hitting Badshot Lea defender Ben Hill in the chest seeing the ball fly past his own keeper. Epsom quickly performed the re-start, the ball spread out to Dale Marvell to swing in a dangerous cross, Badshot Lea defender Paul Andrews getting his head to the ball three seconds short of two minutes into injury time as he tried to force the ball out for a corner but instead he managed to execute a powerful header that he guided into his own top corner to secure the win for Epsom & Ewell. Easter Conundrum The following conundrum has been posed by Epsom & Ewell Committee Member Dougie Burns - the first person to correctly answer the poser by e-mail to Robert Oakes (using the link at the bottom of the home page) will receive a bottle of the finest wine from the chairman's vineyard or a bottle of beer from the chairman's Hop Farm! "Which player made over 100 international appearances, played for Celtic and won a Lonsdale Belt during his career?" (Rules: Epsom & Ewell committee are ineligible to take part; if no correct answer is received by midnight Easter Sunday the bottle of wine and bottle of beer will be presented to the Epsom & Ewell man of the match chosen by the committee for our match against Banstead Athletic on Easter Monday.) Monday 06th April 2009 Epsom & Ewell reserves charge up the league table continued tonight with a 3-0 home win against East Grinstead Town that has seen them rise from 7th to 5th with this additional three points. Andy Amfo-Brobbey opened the scoring on 6 minutes as he beat the home keeper to a through ball to guide the ball past the advancing keeper from the edge of the area. Epsom & Ewell continued to pressurise the visitors throughout the first half but it was not until the 35th minute that the lead was doubled, Dennis Nyarko picking up the ball just outside the area as he unleashed a rising shot that beat the East Grinstead keeper at his near post. The lead should have been three at half-time as the ball ran for Ruselle Williams, his shot rising as it cleared the bar from 8 yards out. Epsom & Ewell made it three on 52 minutes as Andy Amfo-Brobbey done all the hard work to beat one visiting defender before turning the ball back across the six yard box, Asri Lewis getting a touch on the ball but the East Grinstead substitute trying to cover got a very thick contact on the ball as it found the roof of the net. Epsom & Ewell could have extended the lead further as Andy Amfo-Brobbey and Dennis Nyarko both had chances pushed wide by the East Grinstead keeper. The result has meant that the Epsom reserves have now kept a clean sheet in six consecutive matches, the visitors having three opportunities to net but each effort was blazed high over Jack Witts goal. Saturday 04th April 2009 Epsom & Ewell are now having to look at trying to finish second in the league after today's 4-2 home defeat to Cove. The game saw Joe Diggins start in place of injured Jamie Hatfield and Simon Moore upfront with Robbie Burns. Epsom & Ewell should have had a penalty on 9 minutes when a probing ball saw Robbie Burns latch on to it for a run in on goal but he was upended from behind in the box, the view from the referees perspective must have been obscured as he was the only one that deemed Burns had made a meal of the challenge. Further refereeing controversy occurred on 27 minutes as Epsom were awarded a free-kick, Dale Marvell and Kyle Hough standing over the ball trying to point out along with the home supporters that the visiting player was nowhere near the required distance, the referee coming over to book Dale Marvell for time wasting seeing a number of Epsom players surround the referee remonstrating about his decision before only then deciding to count out the ten yards which proved that the Cove player was only 7 yards away all the time. Cove went a goal ahead in first half injury time, Charlie West getting up to head away a Cove corner, a Cove player jumping some 12 yards out managing to get his head in the way of the clearance, the ball looping back over Paul Borg tight into the top corner of the net - 99 out of 100 times the ball would have gone over for a goal kick. Epsom made a tactical change at half-time as our best player in the first half Simon Moore was replaced with Jordan Ellis slipping into the left back position allowing Ben Hayward to push into midfield and the change had an immediate impact as we were back level 48 seconds into the second half, a half cleared corner finding Kyle Hough with a scooped effort 15 yards out that looped over Cove keeper Chris Foster into the far top corner of the net. The lead lasted only five minutes, Cove's Chris Brunt seeing his effort from 20 yards out flash past Paul Borg to cannon back off the upright, the ball coming back out so quickly that Cove's Jason Millette following up was helpless in reacting except to get his knee in the way for the ball to fly home from 10 yards out, if the ball had bounced two yards left Alex Rodrigues would have cleared and two yards to the right and Charlie West would have been able to clear. Luck that has been with us all season suddenly turned further against us on 62 minutes, a shot by Matt Brunt from the edge of the Epsom box came back off the post, Brunt's second effort saw Charlie West get his leg in the way to deflect the shot from 8 yards out back on to the post but it allowed Brunt to have a third go as he converted from 3 yards out. Epsom after a shell shocked 10 minutes had the upper hand for the remainder of the game, Charlie West swapping his centre-back for a centre-forward role with ten left, West on 84 minutes riding two challenges in the Cove box allowing him space and time to get a shot in on target, Cove keeper Chris Foster managing to get low down to his left to block the effort and manage to turn it around the post for a corner. Dale Marvell picked a through ball on 86 minutes to outpace his marker and fire low from the edge of the area, Cove keeper Chris Foster unfortunately for his team managed to allow the ball to go underneath his body and roll into the net. Epsom pressed for a winner, Charlie West on the back post after 89 minutes seeing his header off a Dale Marvell corner clip the top of the crossbar. Epsom were still going for the equaliser in the ninth minute of injury time as Epsom won a corner that saw the Epsom management call Borg to go up into the visitors box for the Hough corner, Rodrigues getting a flick on finding Borg with a header trying to get it back across the box but a Cove defender managed to head the ball to the edge of the Cove box, a quick pass into the path of Matt Brunt allowing the Cove striker to beat to the ball Jordan Ellis who was the only Epsom player not in the box, Brunt having the simplest task to roll the ball into the unguarded net from some 30 yards out with the last kick of the game as the referee peeped three times on his whistle immediately after the ball had cross the white goal line. Full credit to our side who did not deserve to lose today and kept battling to the end. Reserves complete away programme with win at Molesey The reserves completed their programme of away fixtures with a 3-0 win at Molesey. Ben Radford won Epsom & Ewell a penalty a 37 minutes which Nathan Ayling slotted past the home keeper. Epsom & Ewell reserve team assistant manager Trevor Smith was forced to play the whole 90 minutes due to the non-appearance of four youth team players, Smith playing upfront managed to beat one home defender before slotting the ball home from 10 yards out on 44 minutes. Epsom & Ewell came close in the second half on a number of occasions but the win was sealed on the stroke of full-time as Ben Radford netted Epsom's third. Thursday 02nd April 2009 Epsom & Ewell's youth team continued the fine second half performance from Monday night as they raced into a four goal half-time lead at third place Chipstead before finally ending up 5-1 winners in a performance that they have been threatening to hand out all season. Epsom & Ewell were a goal up on 13 minutes with the longest effort in the club since keeper Dave Hyatt scored in the Surrey Senior Cup some 8 years ago, Jimmy Majinya some 20 yards inside the Epsom half performed a clearance that he pumped long and high trying to find Luke Longhurst, the ball landing on the edge of the Chipstead box, the home keeper came off his line towards the ball anticipating to routinely collect the ball but the dry pitch allowed the ball to take off and clear the home keeper with ease as it bounced into the unguarded net - the goal would have made an excellent candidate for a Question of Sport's "What happened Next?" round. Epsom & Ewell doubled the lead on 19 minutes as Chris Brayne played the ball into Luke Longhurst, the Epsom striker using quick feet to transfer the ball to his his stronger foot allowing himself to turn and execute a chip from 15 yards out that floated over the home keeper to go in off a combination of the underside of the crossbar and the upright. Chris Brayne made it three on 26 minutes as his shot from 25 yards out managed to somehow get through the gloves of the home keeper who managed to deflect the ball on to the post but he was unable to prevent the ball from creeping over the line by a good 2 yards before scooping it out, Alec Tuppen following the original shot in blasted the ball into the net from 6 yards out if the original effort had been denied but the referee was already signalling a goal before Tuppen got boot to ball. Epsom were four goals up with virtually the last kick of the first half, a prodded ball through on the edge of the area saw Luke Longhurst beat the offside trap and coolly divert the ball past the Chips' keeper from 10 yards out to find the far corner of the net. Epsom striker Luke Longhurst completed his hat-trick on 65 minutes, Fernando Betancourt had been fouled just outside the home box, Longhurst stepping up to execute a David Beckham style free-kick that he curled over the wall and tight inside the top corner of the near post leaving the Chipstead keeper unable to get near the ball with his dive. Chipstead scored a consolation on 77 minutes as a ball across the Epsom box was not cut out allowing the home striker to back heel the ball home from 8 yards out. Excellent performance, excellent win and an excellent way to warm up for the League Cup Quarter-Final next Wednesday for the third instalment against Croydon Youth. Monday 30th March 2009 Epsom & Ewell's reserves managed to sweep aside Eastbourne Borough with a three goal second half blitz. Epsom & Ewell's first team management took charge of the fixture in the absence of Lee Anderson who was flying back from a holiday in Spain and his assistant Trevor Smith having committments with the Youth team he manages - although Lyndon & Tony Coombe were in charge the only first team players to be involved from the start were Shane Sinclair, Richard Webber and Simon Moore - Webber & Moore were both ill for the home defeat on Saturday - Jordan Ellis was named as a sub with the remainder of the starting line-up and subs the normal reserve team regulars. Jack Witts kept Epsom & Ewell in the match in the first half and Epsom upped a gear in the second half to force an opener on 70 minutes through Andy Amfo-Brobbey. Simon Moore doubled the lead on 80 minutes and Andy Amfo-Brobbey secured the win on 85 minutes with his second on the night. Epsom & Ewell have now stretched their unbeaten run which incidentally started at Eastbourne Borough with a 2-2 draw to a draw and six consecutive wins in the last seven matches that has seen the E's reserves rise from 14th to 7th place in the league. Banyard backlash inspires Youth come back from the dead to draw It was not only the reserves that hit three goals in the second half this evening as the Youth team came back from being 4-1 down to draw 4-4 at Croydon in a repeat score line to the first match at Merland Rise just under three weeks ago - the two league matches have seen sixteen goals and this was as much a thriller as the first meeting! Epsom & Ewell were a goal down inside 90 seconds as Ned Humphreys was caught off his line and the misery was heaped on to the Youth team further on 15 minutes as a ball across the face of the Epsom six yard box was converted and the third occurred on 26 minutes as poor defending allowed a shot to be fired at goal from 12 yards out that Humphreys was unable to keep out. Epsom & Ewell reduced the arrears on 35 minutes as James Voisey worked hard to get past three challenges to fire a low ball across the box, a Croydon defender sticking out a leg to guide it home past his own keeper. Croydon then nearly gifted another goal to Epsom as a Fernando Betancourt cross saw another Croydon player get his boot to the ball to deflect it over the home keeper but the effort thankfully saved the blushes of the player as the ball went just past the stanchion on 42 minutes. The score line seemed likely to remain at a two goal advantage at half-time but with the last kick of the half the hosts regained the three goal cushion, a deep cross into the box saw a home player bring down the ball, two powder puff challenges saw the home player still have control of the ball six yards out but his effort with a weak shot from 6 yards out that looked like a bread & butter save for Ned Humphreys managed to go through the grasp of the Epsom keeper and somehow through his legs and roll over the line into the net - the referee immediately blowing for half-time. Russell Banyard in the absence of the co-manager James Deacons again due to work commitments decided to show how disappointed he was with the first half performance that he used a Phil Brown management tactic to keep the team out on the pitch for half-time, showing the team where they went wrong in the first half and how they should play in the second half with the aid of 11 water bottles and a roll of strapping tape to signify the ball! Although the reaction was not instantaneous as Croydon had one excellent shot from the edge of the box on 49 minutes that was saved by Ned Humphreys the final 40 minutes were one way traffic with the E's youngsters playing probably the best period of football in the club since the first team's first half demolition of Wembley. James Voisey came close on 54 minutes with a shot that went just past the post but it was Voisey that got Epsom on the way to reducing the arrears as his probing run into the box on 62 minutes saw a Croydon defender decide he wanted the Epsom striker's shirt some 28 minutes early, Chris Brayne sending the Croydon keeper the wrong way from the spot. The arrears were further reduced on 65 minutes, a probing cross into the home box was only knocked down by a Croydon defender straight to Luke Longhurst to volley the ball home from 12 yards out. Epsom had built up a head of steam and were like a steam train as the half progressed, Fernando Bentancourt's pass into Chris Brayne setting up a shot from just outside the box on 74 minutes that forced the home keeper into a save at full stretch to deflect the ball on to the roof of his own net. The equaliser came on 80 minutes, Chris Brayne's outswinging corner seeing the Croydon keeper coming a long way off his line to try to gather but he only flapped at the ball as it sailed over him to find James Voisey rising unchallenged to powerfully head home from 10 yards out. Epsom came ever so close in the 89th minute to claiming a remarkable turn around of a much greater respect than that of the turnaround last Wednesday at Molesey as Luke Longhurst connected with another Brayne corner from 8 yards out, the Croydon keeper in the right place to block on his line - another foot or two either side and Epsom would have recorded one of the club's most memorable results to add to the Sutton one earlier this season and the reserves win tonight. The comeback will be memorable for many seasons to come and will join the youth team comeback in October 2006 when the youth were 3-0 down at half-time in the FA Youth Cup to come back in the second half to draw 3-3 before losing on penalties. Both managers were animated after the full-time whistle in their respective dressing rooms - the Croydon manager about the way that his side lost a three goal cushion and Russell Banyard upset that the Epsom players did not make their chances count to score a fifth and possibly a sixth goal. Tonight's game has set up the league cup quarter-final that will be taking place in nine days time at Merland Rise as a mouth watering encounter that no Epsom or Croydon fan will want to miss. Lets hope we see a third high scoring cracker of a game but saying that it will probably end as a goal less draw! If you can't wait for next Wednesday, the youth team are in action again this week at Chipstead on Thursday Saturday 28th March 2009 Epsom & Ewell less than 48 hours after the Surrey Senior Cup exit succumbed to another defeat in the league 3-0 at home to Egham Town. Epsom & Ewell had the better of the chances in the first half as Robbie Burns got his head on to a Kyle Hough cross on 12 minutes sending the ball just wide of the far post from 10 yards out. Kyle Hough curling an effort just over the bar on 24 minutes, a cross into the box by Shane Sinclair forced Egham keeper Clark Gooding into making a punched clearance just ahead of the arriving Robbie Burns on 35 minutes and Dale Marvell forced a low save to his left from Clark Gooding on the stroke of half-time. All three Egham goals came within a period of torrential hail into the Epsom players faces, Jamie Houghton opening the scoring on 64 minutes as he cut in from the Egham left wing to manage to beat Paul Borg at the Epsom keeper's near post, the second one on 66 minutes seeing a ball down the middle find Charlie Muldowney to fire a dipping shot past the flying dive of Paul Borg from just outside the Epsom box. The third goal saw an Egham player head the ball through finding Sonny Farr who was five yards off when the ball was headed on, Farr looking surprised not to be flagged offside as he chipped the ball from the edge of the area over Paul Borg who had stopped on the edge of the box waiting for the assistant ref's flag. Epsom & Ewell came close to getting a consolation goal on 86 minutes as a Robbie Burns shot from 8 yards out was blocked by Clark Gooding on his own line. Reserves win at Chessington Epsom & Ewell's reserves won 1-0 at Chalky Lane, Andy Amfo-Brobbey scoring the winner midway through the second half in a game that was rather scrappy and should have finished goal less. Thursday 26th March 2009 Epsom & Ewell were unable to make it through to the final of the Surrey Saturday Senior Cup with a 4-1 semi-final defeat at Ashford Town (Middx), the result meaning that Ashford are the first club whose parent association is Middlesex to reach the Surrey Senior Cup final. Epsom & Ewell manager Lyndon Buckwell was left with a nightmare situation due to the 28 day and three matches rule in place for the Semi-Finals and Final meant that due to Richard Webber being cup tied, five injuries and four players unavailable due to work commitments that the E's travelled to Shorts Lane with a squad of only 14 fit and eligible players for tonight's tie. Epsom & Ewell despite having to resist concerted pressure by the home side could have taken a 13th minute lead when a Kyle Hough corner was only half cleared, Gary McLaughlin with a half volley from the edge of the box saw Simon Moore and then Robbie Burns both unable to get boot on to ball to try to turn the ball into the net as it bounced just wide of the post. Ashford took the lead on 35 minutes when a corner saw the visiting defence fail to mark up allowing an unchallenged header to find the net from 8 yards out. Ashford should have extended on two occasions either side of half-time as wayward shots on 42 and 51 minutes untroubled Paul Borg. Epsom & Ewell who were playing better in the second half as the game started to open up got an equaliser on 60 minutes when a Ben Hayward free-kick deep into the box saw Vinnie O'Sullivan manage to only shoehorn an attempted clearance to Robbie Burns to fire home from 10 yards out past Craig Ross. Ashford re-took the lead on 66 minutes, a pin point corner finding the head of a home player with a late run to powerfully head the ball home diagonally from 12 yards out. Epsom & Ewell conceeded a further two goals that made the score line rather flattering for the home side, the third goal coming on 78 minutes when a long range shot from 25 yards out swerved in the air as it crashed off the post with an incoming Ashford player burying the rebound past Borg from 8 yards out and the fourth saw the Ashford player run with the ball for some 10 yards before unleashing a powerful shot that Borg was unable to get near with his dive to his right as the ball with pin point accuracy came off the inside of the post. The home fans clapped not only their own side but the Epsom team as well off at the end of the match and the home club were complementary not only of our team's display which they described as a credit to the Combined Counties League but also the way that the club's committee and supporters handled themselves off the field. Wednesday 25th March 2009 Epsom & Ewell's youth team made a dramatic turnaround to gain all three points in a match that at half-time they didn't deserve any. Epsom & Ewell's youth side like the first and reserves have picked up a fair number of injuries in the past fortnight, keeper Ned Humphries the latest one to be added to the injury list after he was injured in a football match the night before meaning that like at Crawley Down we had no recognised keeper seeing Paul Birch Birch don the gloves again. Epsom & Ewell managed to put in a performance even worse than the one in the first half at Crawley Down, if you could have believed that we could have played any worse allowing Molesey to go two up through two quick fire goals on 11 and 16 minutes following Epsom & Ewell defensive errors. Epsom & Ewell's Russell Banyard in sole control tonight in the absence of James Deacons having work commitments must have torn into the side at half time as they came out like a team possessed to play the best football this season, Chris Brayne picking up a loose ball to intercept and fire low from 15 yards out past the Molesey keeper on 49 minutes, Chris Brayne then heading home a Daniel Field from 8 yards out on 53 minutes and then completed his hat-trick on 78 minutes by picking up a through ball and firing low from 15 yards out, the Molesey keeper getting down to his left but the ball managed to somehow get through his body. Luke Longhurst could and should have made it 4-2 in injury time but the ball fell unkindly for him as he scuffed his shot from 8 yards out. Saturday 21st March 2009 Epsom & Ewell suffered another goal less draw this time away at Hartley Wintney that now means that any title hopes that Epsom & Ewell had are now out of our own hands and hoping that Bedfont Green slip up more than Epsom & Ewell in the run in to the end of the season. Epsom & Ewell wasted a first minute opportunity when Robbie Burns received a pass from Marcus Rose, Burns trapping the ball before turning and letting rip with an effort that was well saved by the home keeper. Epsom & Ewell had trouble penetrating the home side, the two other chances that came both falling to Robbie Burns, a whipped in cross that flashed through the box on 14 minutes saw Burns unable to get a touch and predator instinct by Burns on 29 minutes saw the Epsom striker get between defender and home keeper to intercept an attempted back pass, Burns not receiving any information by those players in support forcing him to have a shot from an angle from 6 yards out that was blocked by the keepers legs. The second half was a complete non event as a spectacle as for a large chunk of the time the ball was high in the air or being pushed back by the match officials for free-kicks to have deemed to of been taken from the wrong place, Hartley Wintney had one effort that was fired direct at Paul Borg who made a full length dive to his left to get his body behind the ball on 63 minutes, Epsom had chances in the final ten minutes that were all deflected behind for corners which Epsom could not score from. Reserves win at Raynes Park Vale Epsom & Ewell's reserves continued their good form away at Raynes Park Vale with a 3-0 win this afternoon. Andy Amfo-Brobbey put Epsom & Ewell into a 1-0 half-time lead before doubling his and the team's tally in the second half with the 3rd to put the gloss on to the scoreline added by Nathan Babu. Thursday 19th March 2009 Epsom & Ewell's youth were in action for the second time inside 72 hours away at Colliers Wood United this evening. Epsom & Ewell looked the most threatening in the early exchanges but it was the hosts that took a 13th minute lead when Stefan Appleby got his legs mixed up seeing him play the ball into the path of a home striker to stride away, and hit a rasping shot over Ned Humphreys but just underneath the crossbar. Epsom were level on 15 minutes, an Epsom corner was only half cleared seeing the ball fall to Jimmy Majinya to finish with a powerful header. Colliers Wood re-took the lead on 31 minutes from close range but the equaliser was scored on 38 minutes for Epsom when Alec Tuppen got the better of his marker to have just enough time to fire low past the home keeper from 12 yards out. Epsom & Ewell could not manage to hold on until half-time as Colliers Wood United took advantage of another comedy of Epsom errors in defence as three shots from the hosts were all half blocked but the ball was eventually prodded home over the goal line from roughly 4 yards out on 43 minutes. Epsom equalised for the third time on 66 minutes as James Voisey turned his marker to collect a ball over the home defence, Voisey's first effort coming off the post back to him where he made no mistake the second time around to bury the ball from 10 yards out. With Russell Banyard taking credit for the changes last week at home to Croydon it was James Deacons turn as he put Luke Longhurst on for the final 25 minutes and changed the formation as we managed to win a string of 8 corners in a row.and looked very threatening but alas it was Colliers Wood that took the lead for the fourth time on the night after 82 minutes when neive defending allowed the Colliers Wood striker to power between two defenders allowing himself enough time to round Humphreys and slide it home from roughly 9 yards out. Epsom were reduced to ten men on 88 minutes as Chris Ashbolt was shown a red card for a challenge but Epsom & Ewell were able to win a penalty in injury time as Alec Tuppen was taken down from behind in the box. Epsom & Ewell's Chris Brayne scored from the penalty spot. Wednesday 18th March 2009 Epsom & Ewell reserves completed a double over Horsham YMCA with a 1-0 win at Merland Rise this evening. Epsom & Ewell had the better of the match and created the majority of the chances but failed to score more than the one solitary goal in the match that occurred on 32 minutes, Simon Moore collecting a pass from Nathan Ayling, Moore cutting in past one visiting defender before cutting back across another as he reached the box allowing himself to round the advancing keeper to finish into an unguarded net from 12 yards out. Jack Witts was called into action twice in the second half to make saves to his right but for the remainder of the match the Epsom centre backs Joel Keys and Chris Barnes (who has signed for the reserves for the remainder of the season to get his match fitness back) mopped up all danger that Horsham YMCA possessed. Tuesday 17th March 2009 Epsom & Ewell picked up the three points with a blistering opening 25 minutes and then completely took their foot off the peddle inviting the hosts to come back at Epsom in the second half. Epsom & Ewell took a 2nd minute lead through Robbie Burns who brought down a Dale Marvell cross allowing himself enough turning space to turn his marker and fire diagonally low past the home keeper from 10 yards out. Epsom & Ewell were on a mission and the Cobham box was peppered with cross from both wings from Shane Sinclair and Kyle Hough in the next quarter an hour that saw Robbie Burns head just over, Dale Marvell have a shot blocked on the edge of the six yard box and Marcus Rose weave his way through a couple of challenges and then manage to side foot the ball just over the crossbar from 12 yards out. The lead was doubled on 24 minutes as a Shane Sinclair pinpoint cross found Kyle Hough with a header that forced him to use all of his neck muscles to float the ball into the top corner from 8 yards out. Naturally people were wondering how many Epsom would score but the visitors with a two goal lead just started going through the motions as the final quarter an hour of the half went flat although Epsom still looked dangerous when going forward. The second half saw the Cobham youngsters change formation and run the Epsom players ragged - the rusty nature of not having a game for 10 days evident as the second half continued. Cobham saw a curling free-kick from just outside the Epsom box flick the crossbar on 62 minutes and Borg was forced into brave sliding manoeuvres on 65 and 74 minutes to complete saves at the feet of Cobham players. Borg was further required to make an unorthodox save on 79 minutes when a free-kick into the box required the Epsom keeper to complete a palmed save with his right arm as the ball was travelling over his left shoulder. The only opportunity created by Epsom in the second half saw Robbie Burns latch on to a ball over the top, his dipping effort on the half volley forcing the Cobham keeper to deflect the ball just wide of the far post. Monday 16th March 2009 Epsom & Ewell's youth team went down to a 4-2 defeat at home to St. Andrews tonight. Epsom & Ewell took a first minute lead as Chris Brayne floated a free-kick home from just outside the box, Epsom & Ewell should have been out of sight by the time St. Andrews drew level on 26 minutes as lapse marking allowed the visiting forward to roll his marker and fire home off the post. St. Andrews took a 62nd minute as a volley from outside the box caught Ned Humphries stationery on his line assuming the ball was going over for a goal kick only for the ball to dip in under the crossbar. Alec Tuppen managed to get the better of the visiting defence to side foot an equaliser on 67 minutes. A calamity of errors allowed the visitors to gain the lead again on 82 minutes, a St. Andrews cross into the box saw a defensive header loop up in the air, Epsom keeper Ned Humphries instead of claiming an easy catch decided to punch, the ball finding a visiting player to powerful head the ball back past Humphries into an unguarded net. The visitors wrapped up the victory in the second minute of injury time as a free-kick crept inside the far post from just inside the home box. Wednesday 11th March 2009 Epsom & Croydon battled out an eight goal thriller at Merland Rise this evening in a dress rehearsal for the League Cup Quarter-Final in a fortnight back at Merland Rise. Epsom & Ewell took a 6th minute lead when Paul Birch hit a shot from 30 yards out that whistled past a motionless Croydon keeper. The lead was doubled on 16 minutes when Fernando Betancourt was played in allowing him to execute a deft chip over the advancing keeper from just inside the box. Croydon reduced the arrears within a minute when poor Epsom defending allowed the ball to be cut back for a finish to be executed from 6 yards out. The score line was level on 37 minutes when Croydon broke the home offside trap, a low shot from 12 yards out beating Ned Humphreys. Epsom & Ewell re-took the lead on 50 minutes when a corner was only half cleared, Jimmy Majinya hitting a powerful half volley that managed to go through the Croydon keeper's body. The lead only lasted for 48 seconds as a speculative shot from 25 yards out bounced in after clipping the near post, and Croydon took the lead on 80 minutes as a shot from just inside the box saw the ball appear to trickle through Humphreys. Epsom & Ewell Youth manager Russell Banyard changed the formation in the final minutes following an injury to Paul Birch as he went 3-5-2, the gamble paid off almost immediately as Epsom broke the visitors offside trap on 89 minutes allowing James Voisey to angle the ball into the net past the Croydon keeper from 12 yards out. Both sides came close to scoring a winner in injury time but a draw was probably the fairest result. Monday 09th March 2009 Epsom & Ewell's reserves home match against Horsham YMCA was forced to be postponed just after lunch time as Horsham YMCA were unable to field a team for this evening's fixture. The Surrey Senior Cup semi-final has been moved as anticipated to Thursday 26th March 2009 with a 7:45pm kick-off, the Ryman League fixing Ashford's League Cup semi-final for next Tuesday evening with Ashford now travelling to Tooting & Mitcham United the following Tuesday Saturday 07th March 2009 Epsom & Ewell got back on track with a 4-1 win at home to Bookham this afternoon. Epsom & Ewell manager Lyndon Buckwell changed around the formation as Alex McKay started in place of Shane Sinclair. Epsom & Ewell made a slow start for the first five minutes but soon found themselves in the driving seat for the remainder of the match, Charlie West heading a Kyle Hough corner wide of the far post on 7 minutes and Robbie Burns on the next corner found the ball at his feet on 10 minutes but his luck is out at present as Burns managed to fire his shot past the visiting keeper Warren Aburn but the ball was blocked by the back side of a Bookham player standing on the line facing the wrong way. Robbie Burns though managed to be the provider on 21 minutes for Epsom & Ewell's opening goal as Ben Hayward pushed the ball on to Robbie Burns who held off a Bookham challenge to play the ball back into the path of Ben Hayward who had continued his run allowing the Epsom midfielder to collect the ball to run into the visitors box unchecked and drill the ball low past Warren Aburn. Gary McLaughlin whipped in a cross on 25 minutes that was just too high for both Kyle Hough and Robbie Burns to reach, Charlie West on 27 minutes got his head to a Dale Marvell corner but his effort floated over the crossbar. Epsom doubled the lead on 34 minutes as Kyle Hough's looping cross found Gary McLaughlin 8 yards out with a header back across goal trying to find Robbie Burns, the ball bouncing in the middle of the six yard box seeing it spin enough to creep inside the post. Epsom & Ewell conceded an early goal in the second half following the award of a free-kick for an over-zealous tackle by Dale Marvell that saw him receive a yellow card. The free-kick into the box saw nobody get near the Bookham player, Paul Borg making a save to his right to block the shot but the visitors captain Stuart Padgett was first to react to ram the ball home from 8 yards out. Epsom & Ewell soon restored the two goal advantage on 56 minutes as a Kyle Hough cross found Dale Marvell with a bullet header from 10 yards out that flew past Warren Aburn. The Bookham keeper was required to keep out a Ben Hayward effort from the edge of the visitors area on 68 minutes, the shot bouncing in front of Aburn who was forced to push the ball away for a corner. Bookham nearly sent Epsom supporters into nervous mode for the approaching final ten minutes when a pass fell between Charlie West and Alex Rodrigues on 78 minutes saw the Bookham forward pick up the ball but Epsom captain Alex Rodrigues managed to get back to execute a clean tackle to knock the ball out for a corner. The game was sealed on 80 minutes as Kyle Hough picked up the ball just outside the Bookham box, despite the visitors appeals for offside against Hough the assistant deemed the Epsom forward was on side, Hough riding two tackles and finishing past Warren Aburn from close range - Bookham centre-back Oliver Dicks who started the season with Epsom & Ewell was animated towards the assistant referee following the goal which resulted in him receiving a yellow card but he was fortunate not to see red like he did for Epsom last season at home to Badshot Lea in the Surrey Senior Cup with an almost identical outburst at the same end of the ground. Simon Moore created one final chance in the closing stages but his effort was wide of the target. Reserves fightback to win at YMCA Epsom & Ewell Reserves made it seven out of a possible nine points in a week with a 3-2 win away at Horsham YMCA. Epsom & Ewell took a third minute lead when Andy Amfo-Brobbey netted for the visitors but Epsom then decided to take their foot off the peddles as Horsham YMCA came back with two goals from set pieces in the first half to take a 2-1 lead into the half-time interval. Epsom & Ewell reserve team manager Lee Anderson performed a change at half-time as Donovan Murray was replaced with Dan Bolton, the teenager repaying the faith given to him by Anderson as he scored Epsom & Ewell's equaliser on 61 minutes, Aaron Williams' cross was met by Bolton arriving into the box ahead of his marker to powerfully head the ball home. The winner for Epsom & Ewell occurred on 75 minutes as Jordan Ellis received back a lay-off enabling the midfielder to run through between two defenders and finish low past the keeper. The return fixture takes place on Monday evening at Merland Rise. Thursday 05th March 2009 Epsom & Ewell will be taking a trip to Shorts Lane in the Surrey Senior Cup Semi-Finals as Ashford Town (Middx) beat Kingstonian 2-1 at home this evening. The Ryman Premier side took a 34 second lead when Kingstonian failed to cut out a cross allowing a finish from 12 yards out and the home side seemed to be strolling to the semis with a second on 19 minutes when the K's keeper was lobbed from the edge of the box but an equaliser for Kingstonian on 29 minutes ensured the game became more even for the rest of the match. Kingstonian came close to equalising on a string of occasions in the second half but Ashford held out to reach their third semi-final this season. The semi-final is provisionally scheduled for Tuesday 24th March but as the Surrey Senior Cup is not Ashford's primary county cup, fixtures in Ryman League competitions take precedence - following their Ryman League Cup Quarter-Final win on Tuesday at Carshalton Athletic, the Ryman League will be fixing the semi-final date in the next couple of days and as the only Tuesday free for Ashford until the end of the season is the 24th March it is likely that our semi-final will need to be moved to Thursday 26th March. Tuesday 03rd March 2009 Tonight's fixture at Camberley Town was abandoned on 57 minutes when Camberley were leading 2-1 at the time. Camberley took a 26th minute lead in the howling wind and driving rain when a deep free-kick into the visitors box saw Epsom captain Alex Rodrigues' attempted headed clearance get caught in the wind seeing the ball landed at the feet of the Camberley centre-back to drill the ball through a crowded box as the sodden penalty box saw the ball skid away from Epsom & Ewell keeper Paul Borg. Epsom & Ewell were level on 32 minutes as Robbie Burns was brought down in the home box by the Camberley keeper, Kyle Hough making no mistake from the penalty mark. Camberley re-took the lead on 47 minutes as poor marking allowed a floated cross to find Tim Sills with a header that bounced home past a helpless Paul Borg. The referee had looked at the ever increasing amount of laying water at the bottom end of the ground on 50 minutes and made a decision on 57 minutes to abandon the game less than a minute after Jamie Hatfield had to be carried off the pitch injured due to a sliding tackle by a Camberley player trying to win the ball which had got stuck in the middle of the pitch. The referee abandoned the game due to a combination of waterlogging, the ball was not running true and safety grounds Monday 02nd March 2009 Epsom & Ewell's reserves picked up all three points in a vital clash in the bottom five of the Suburban League South Division table. Epsom & Ewell took the lead on 13 minutes when Andy Amfo-Brobbey laid the ball into Dan Barham to side foot past Horley's first team keeper Simon Lockwood on 13 minutes. Horley equalised on 21 minutes from the penalty spot but Epsom & Ewell regained the lead on 31 minutes as debutant Dennis Nyarko was tripped in the box on 31 minutes, Andy Amfo-Brobbey scoring from the spot. Epsom & Ewell came close to sealing the match but Horley keeper Simon Lockwood proved why he statistically the second best keeper in the Combined Counties League this year with a string of good saves, Epsom keeper Jack Witts though was also in fine form as he pulled off two excellent saves to keep the visitors at bay. It was not until injury time at the end of the match that Epsom sealed the win when a through ball by Donovan Murray found Andy Amfo-Brobbey to collect and skip away from the visitors defence, the Epsom striker burying the ball past Lockwood from 10 yards out. Saturday 28th February 2009 Epsom & Ewell on the back on the euphoria of reaching the Surrey Senior Cup Semi-Finals with their midweek win turned their attention back to League affairs at Molesey this afternoon as the E's ended with their second goal less draw in a fortnight, but this was a tight affair and there was plenty of evidence on display why Epsom have the best defensive record and Molesey the third best in the league this season. Richard Webber started in place of Jamie Hatfield at left back - Hatfield passing a pre-match fitness test but Ross Shoefield was unable to come through his own fitness test after picking up separate injuries to both feet during the match against Corinthian-Casuals on Tuesday, although he was named as a substitute on the team sheet. Ross Shoefield's place in the starting line-up being taken by Gary McLaughlin. Epsom & Ewell started the better of the two teams as were pressurising the home side back as the first half resembled something similiar to the first half at Bedfont last Saturday as Epsom had the pressure but found it hard to create a clear cut chance. The closest that Epsom & Ewell came to scoring in the first half seeing the ball bounce in the Molesey box on 26 minutes, Robbie Burns managing to get his head to the ball ahead of a Molesey boot to nod the ball into the path of Kyle Hough to hit a first time rasping shot from the edge of the box that was dipping rapidly as it approached the home goal, Molesey keeper Matt Nash pulling off a fingertips save to deflect the ball over the crossbar. Molesey themselves could have scored on 44 minutes as a cross from the left wing found Lewis Ackerman to hit a volley from 12 yards out that forced Epsom keeper Paul Borg to pull off a spectacular one handed save to his left to push the ball around the post. The second half was different game as both sides created chances to score in an end to end encounter, Epsom & Ewell were the first to create a chance on 48 minutes as a threaded ball saw Dale Marvell sent clear of the home defence, Marvell raced into the box but his angled shot trying to pass the ball into the far corner of the net from 12 yards out drifted just wide of the far post. Molesey managed to get a cross deep into the Epsom box on 54 minutes, the first time effort by Liam O'Leary was blocked by the legs of Paul Borg but the loose ball fell to Lewis Ackerman some 8 yards out, the Molesey striker taking a split second too long to fire the ball into the unguarded net as thoughts went through his head where to place the ball as his eventual effort was weak and found the gloves of Borg who had managed to spring back to his feet and get along his goal line. Molesey managed to put the ball into a channel for Paul Cross to collect behind the visiting defence on 61 minutes, Cross managed to quickly get into the box but Borg's presence coming off his line to narrow the angle and Richard Webber's clean tackle knocked the ball away for a corner. The resulting corner caused trouble as a Molesey player arrived unmarked on the back post but somehow managed to head the ball wide of the post by inches. Alex McKay on 64 minutes and Charlie West on 69 minutes were both in the right place to perform goal line clearances from Molesey efforts inside a packed Epsom box. A diagonal ball on 73 minutes saw Kyle Hough manage to get the better of his marker to bring the ball into the box, Hough tried to drill the ball past Matt Nash from 12 yards out with an almost identical effort to the goal he scored in the original fixture at Merland Rise in October but Nash used his legs this time to block the shot. Dale Marvell outpaced a Molesey player on 76 minutes as he managed to get past two Molesey players to get into the box and lay the ball back across the home box finding Robbie Burns 8 yards out, the ball taking a bobble just as Burns was about to strike the ball seeing it loop over the goal into Epsom supporters behind the goal. Burns was provided with another pass on 78 minutes as Kyle Hough played the ball into his fellow striker, Burns' effort from 15 yards out hit with pace being blocked by Joe Yeates on the edge of his own six yard box. The fatigue on the Epsom & Ewell side was evident in the final ten minutes as the ball hardly got out of the Epsom half, Epsom keeper Paul Borg being called into action twice as he had to deflect a dipping shot almost identical to Hough's effort in the first half over the bar and then in the final minute he was forced to make a low point blank save from 6 yards out. The final seconds saw Kyle Hough get to the by line and get a cross into the back post, Robbie Burns getting a slight nudge from behind as he rose seeing the Epsom striker only able to punch the ball into the net, the first blow of the referees whistle as the ball went over the line followed by two further short blasts signalled the end of the game but saved Burns a probable yellow card. The draw was a very fair result and neither team deserved to lose the match. ... Reserves gain point at Eastbourne Epsom & Ewell's reserves came back from Eastbourne Borough with a 2-2 draw, but due to a number of reserve and youth team players pulling out last night and this morning saw the team only go down to the Sussex coast with 10 recognised players forcing 48 year old assistant manager Trevor Smith to play the full 90 minutes and manager Lee Anderson name himself as a substitute and play the final 10 minutes. Epsom & Ewell at half-time found themselves two goals to the good as Nathan Ayling firstly slotted home a penalty and then Simon Moore put Epsom & Ewell into a half-time lead. The home side only forcing an equaliser past Neil Harrowing with twenty minutes left. A great result for the club and credit to Lee, Trevor & the players that made the trip - it is disappointing that of the remaining 47 currently registered players in the club not named in the squad at Molesey only 10 were available and most of these were surplus first team players. Quite a few had genuine reasons of work/family commitments/injured but quite a few provided excuses that were poor - we were playing in a conference ground and most people would jump at the chance of playing at these types of facilities - thanks to Trevor playing the whole 90 minutes he saved the club a hefty fine (although we will probably be paying out Chiropractor fees to the same value for Trevor!) and every player that was unavailable with lame excuse should buy Lee & Trevor a drink the next time they see them. Tuesday 24th February 2009 Epsom & Ewell as the Combined Counties League's last surviving club in the Surrey County FA Saturday Senior Cup will keep the flag flying for the league for another month as the E's overcame a second team from a higher division in this season's competition with a 2-1 extra time win against Corinthian-Casuals at Merland Rise this evening. Epsom & Ewell had only one change from the starting line-up that started last Saturday at Bedfont as Jamie Hatfield was declared fit to start as he came in for the cup tied Richard Webber. The home side were nervous from the start as Casuals started the brighter and were nearly ahead on 4 minutes as Charlie West's attempted clearance on the edge of the Epsom box whilst facing his own goal came off his shin that sent the ball looping in the air towards the Epsom goal forcing Paul Borg to back peddle and manage to tip the ball on to his own crossbar, former Epsom striker Luke Gay reacting quickest to reach the ball to fire a shot in at goal from 6 yards out but Paul Borg managed to pull off a fantastic save as he deflected the the shot around the post. Epsom & Ewell's tentative approach which allowed the visitors to play the opening quarter an hour of the match in the Epsom half eventually saw the home side concede the opening goal in the 14th minute as a momentary lapse in the Epsom defence allowed a visiting player to collect the ball and fire low across the penalty area, Epsom defender Alex McKay tried to clear the ball on the edge of the six yard box but instead found the roof of the net. The goal seemed to calm the nerves of the Epsom players as the home side started to play their passing football that saw the visitors pushed back as the half continued. Although Epsom were getting the ball into the visitors box in the final ten minutes of the half, no clear cut opportunities were forthcoming. Epsom & Ewell stepped up the pressure in the second half and eventually got a deserved equaliser on 71 minutes for all their hard work when Robbie Burns' reverse pass was played into the path of Dale Marvell to cut into the box and fire home from 12 yards out into the far corner of the net. The final ten minutes of normal time saw a frantic finish as both sides went for a winner but the defences of both teams were resolute resulting in the tie going to an extra thirty minute period. Epsom in the first period of extra-time managed to lose the momentum that had been built up in the second half of normal time as the opening few minutes saw Corinthian-Casuals manage to flash two shots across the the six yard box but there was no visiting player close enough to get a touch. Epsom won a string of corners in the closing minutes of the first period that were all dealt with by the visitors keeper comfortably. Epsom & Ewell came the closest to snatching the winner on 113 minutes as a Kyle Hough cross found Robbie Burns with a diving downward header but Casuals' keeper Colin Harris pulled of a one handed reaction save to his left to palm the ball around the post. The tie looked destined to be settled by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark as the clock ticked into injury time at the end of extra-time, Dale Marvell though had different ideas, he picked up a layoff by Ross Shoefield and managed to cut in between two Casuals defenders allowing himself enough time and space to use the outside of his boot to curl the ball just inside the far post from 15 yards out. Epsom & Ewell will be away on Tuesday 24th March 2009 to either Ashford Town (Middx) or Kingstonian in the Semi-Final. Monday 23rd February 2009 Epsom & Ewell's reserves and Youth were both in action tonight. At Merland Rise, the Reserves went down 2-1 to Merstham, all three goals coming in injury time at the end of the match, Merstham taking the lead in the first minute of injury time, Peter Solomon equalising a minute later but Merstham had the final say by scoring within seconds of the restart. The youth team travelled to Raynes Park Vale for the replay of the original league match declared null and void due to them playing Crystal Palace first team striker Sean Scanlan in the original match in November. Epsom & Ewell took a 36th minute lead through Jimmy Majinya who went on a solo run from just inside the home half, the Epsom defender getting two lucky breaks as the ball came back to him twice, Majinya finishing off with a drilled shot from 12 yards out. The lead lasted only two minutes as lapse Epsom defending allowed Raynes Park Vale to score with an angled shot into the far corner. A mad five minutes between the 49th and 54th minutes saw the home side seal a win with three quick goals, a corner on 49 minutes was turned in on the far post with Epsom defenders having a genuine claim for offside as the home player was standing almost on the goal line. Raynes Park made it three on 52 minutes as Epsom had kamikaze defending that allowed the home player to get a cross into the box, two defenders then both missed the ball allowing it to reach the home player arriving on the back to fire home. A through ball on 54 minutes saw Ed Humphreys come rushing off his line to try to claim but he was beaten to the ball by a home striker who flicked it past Humphreys, the lose ball being rolled into the empty net from 8 yards out Saturday 21st February 2009 Epsom & Ewell came away from Bedfont with a point but will be kicking themselves for losing the two additional points that we had in our grasp with a mad three minute spell. Epsom & Ewell started the stronger with the majority of the first half seeing Epsom & Ewell pin back the Bedfont side in their own half but it was the hosts that had the first real opportunity as Epsom keeper Paul Borg was forced to make a save to his right to deflect a shot away from his goal on 27 minutes. Epsom & Ewell were denied a penalty on 36 minutes as Shane Sinclair managed to cut in close to the by-line, Sinclair being taken down by the challenge of the home keeper but the referee decided a foul had occurred the other way. Epsom were rewarded for their first half display by scoring an injury time opener, the corner being flicked on by Alex Rodrigues, Robbie Burns' shot from 8 yards out being blocked by the Bedfont keeper but Kyle Hough was on hand to slam the loose ball home from 3 yards out. Epsom & Ewell doubled the lead on 54 minutes, Dale Marvell spreading the ball into the path of Kyle Hough who picked up the ball 25 yards out and burst into the box, the shot from Hough hit with power from 12 yards out taking a slight deflection off a defender allowing it to go between the home keeper's gloves and the post. Epsom & Ewell had a further five minutes of good possession whilst looking for a third but suddenly on the hour mark Epsom switched off probably thinking the game was won and turning their sights to Tuesday night. Bedfont reduced the arrears on 61 minutes, the build up seeing Epsom midfielder Ross Shoefield lose possession of the ball in the Bedfont half, a quick ball fed to Victor Osobu saw the Bedfont midfielder outpace Alex McKay to get a cross into the box that found the Bedfont striker to pick the ball up and fire past Paul Borg from 10 yards out. The equaliser was almost identical on 63 minutes, Dale Marvell losing the ball to a Bedfont player who set up Osobu for another run down the left wing, the cross into the box finding a home player rising six yards out to cushion a header past Paul Borg. Epsom & Ewell only looked threatening and urgent again for the final five minutes, Robbie Burns nearly scoring a winner on 88 minutes but his effort off a corner from 8 yards out was blocked by a Bedfont defender's chest on the line. The reserves went down 2-1 at Colliers Wood, the home side taking the lead in first half injury time but Paul Durrans scored an equaliser with 25 seconds of the restart, minutes later Colliers Wood scored what turned out to be the winner. Thursday 19th February 2009 Epsom & Ewell's youth team progressed to the next round of the Southern Youth League Cup with a 2-1 win at Crawley Down. Epsom & Ewell managers James Deacons and Russell Banyard found themselves without a recognised keeper due to Ed Humphries being on a ski trip and Josh Breedon having joined the army meaning Paul Birch had to don the gloves, Jimmy Majinya was rested after his exploits in the reserves on Monday and probable appearances this Saturday and next Monday for the reserves add to that Dayle Honess was on an overseas half-term holiday meaning that a couple of the defenders that have been on the fringe were given their chance with a starting place. Additionally, Banyard and Deacons decided to take a leaf out of Lyndon's managerial book by rest their more experienced midfielders and forwards for Monday's fixture at Raynes Park Vale allowing more fringe players to get their chance in the starting line-up - at half-time their selection strategy was probably being regretted as in the opening six minutes of the game only Paul Birch had touched the ball for the visitors, we had conceeded a poor goal on 26 minutes as a corner saw Paul Birch collect and then drop the ball resulting in a series of powderpuff attempted clearances that saw Crawley Down eventually stab the ball home at the fifth attempt. The first half Epsom performance could only be described as abysmal and probably the worst since the youth team was reformed in 2002 - if Crawley Down had been better in front of goal they could have easily notched up double figures in the first half alone. Epsom & Ewell from the third pass of the second half stamped their authority on the remainder of the match as the same side that looked so bad in the first half suddenly clicked and gelled together, speculation was that the managers had given the players a roasting at half-time which they denied after the end of the game. Epsom & Ewell were level 91 seconds into the second half, Rhidian Gautama forcing a low blocking save out of the home keeper, the loose ball looping up for Epsom midfielder Nathan Smith in a supporting run to head home from 6 yards out. Epsom could and should have been further ahead by the time that the winning goal occurred on 65 minutes as chances came and went, Chris Ashbolt riding a number of attempted tackles in a bursting run inside the Crawley Down half, his shot from just outside the box taking once bounce some 5 yards in front of the keeper's dive to his right and skidding on the wet and greasy surface past the home keeper to find the bottom corner. Epsom sent on Fernando Betancourt and James Voisey to try to secure the win with a third late on, Voisey nearly getting the third on 84 minutes with a cross from deep on the right wing that turned into a shot that surprised the home keeper who was in serious trouble that required him to back peddle frantically, the ball clearing the bar by the matter of centimetres as it found the roof of the net. Paul Birch in the Epsom goal had an inspired second half as he commanded his box confidently to claim all balls that arrived in the box but he pulled off two fantastic top drawer saves in the closing five minutes of the match to prevent the tie going into extra-time, firstly a rising volley from 25 yards out on 87 minutes that look destined to sneak under the bar saw Birch manage to deflect the ball over and moments later a home corner saw lapse concentration when marking allowing a Crawley Down player arriving at the back post unmarked to get a powerful downward header in but Birch was in the right place to make a diving save to his left. Tuesday 17th February 2009 Epsom & Ewell managed to get all three points with what can only be described as a scrappy win by a single goal over Guildford City at Merland Rise but the gap that had opened up on Saturday was quickly closed again as Bedfont Green could only force a 2-2 draw at home to Colliers Wood United, our result also meant an eight point gap was opened up between ourselves and third placed Camberley Town who lost 3-1 at Chessington & Hook United and fourth place Cove who drew 1-1 at our opponents on Saturday Bedfont. Epsom manager Lyndon Buckwell started with Alex McKay in place of Joel Keys and Simon Moore started up front with Robbie Burns as the Epsom midfield was shuffled to cover for Marcus Rose who limped off injured on Saturday. Robbie Burns had the first chance of the match on 7 minutes as he latched on to the ball on the overlap, his bursting run cutting into the box climaxing with a powerful shot from 12 yards out on an angle that clattered the top of the crossbar. The only other chance of the first half was that of Guildford's Aneel Azeem, his rasping shot on 29 minutes from just inside the Epsom box curling away from Paul Borg's flying acrobatic dive to his right as the ball came back out off the inside of the post, the loose ball being marshalled clear by a combination of Alex Rodrigues and Charlie West. The second half saw play break up more and more frequently as the half progressed as the Merland Rise pitch that had been rolled since Saturday started to cut up again. Guildford came the closest in the opening quarter an hour of the second half as a dangerous cross into the Epsom box was headed just wide of the far post on 53 minutes and another cross by Guildford on 58 minutes saw Paul Borg come out and collect a ball but then get clattered by a Guildford player who could not halt his run as his momentum took himself into Borg. As the half progressed the Epsom nerves were getting more fraught and is looked more and more likely that Epsom would have to settle for back to back goal less draws but Gary McLaughlin making a supporting run on 72 minutes managed to meet a Kyle Hough rolled pass, McLaughlin without hesitation hitting a first time shot that flashed over Guildford City keeper James Smelt finding the underside of the crossbar, the ball bouncing down on to the line and back into the six yard box, Robbie Burns forced to jump in the air to apply a cushioned downward header to send the ball into the unguarded net from 5 yards out. Epsom nearly scored a second on 84 minutes, Ross Shoefield getting around his marker on the right wing allowing himself to put in a cross from close to the by-line which took a deflection off a Guildford defender, Dale Marvell arriving on the back post unmarked hitting a first time half volley from 6 yards out, Guildford keeper James Smelt getting the full force of the ball in the face from point blank range but his brave keeping prevented a certain goal. The final whistle was greeted with mute cheers - more like an exhale of sighs of relief, Epsom just shading the match on balance of play but if it had finished goal less there would not have been any complaints from either side Monday 16th February 2009 Epsom & Ewell's reserves were defeated 4-3 at home to Chessington & Hook this evening. Epsom & Ewell took an 8th minute leads through a Ben Radford volley but a soft award of a free-kick saw the ball chipped over the wall going in off the inside of the post to beat Neil Harrowing from 25 yards out. The visitors second foray into the Epsom half saw Chessington & Hook awarded a penalty on 14 minutes which was converted, Epsom were denied a penalty of there own on 35 minutes as Leon White's ankles were taken from behind with only former Epsom keeper Tim Farrington to beat but Chessington & Hook against the run of play scored a third on the stroke of half-time, a Chessington shot from the edge of the box taking a big deflection off an Epsom defender seeing the ball spin past the dive of the helpless Neil Harrowing as the ball went in off the post. Epsom & Ewell reduced the arrears on 48 minutes as Chessington stopped when the Epsom players appealed for a penalty following a Ben Radford shot was blocked by a defenders hand, Nathan Ayling volleying home the loose ball from 12 yards out. Chessington & Hook regained the two goal cushion on 55 minutes with a free-kick curled into the top corner over the wall from 20 yards out. Epsom & Ewell were then denied another two penalty appeals before another penalty appeal on 86 minutes was successful, the appeal was the weakest of the four that saw the referee point to the spot after contact was made on Ben Radford, from the spot Jordan Ellis sent Tim Farrington the wrong way. Epsom & Ewell nearly nicked a point in injury time as a pass was played into the path of Andy Amfo-Brobbey, the despairing lunge by a visiting defender enough to get the merest of touches on the ball with the studs of his boot seeing the Epsom midfielder unable to get a clean contact on the ball from 10 yards out as the ball grazed the top of the bar as it went over for a goal kick. Saturday 14th February 2009 Epsom & Ewell were held to a goal less draw at home to Raynes Park Vale. The match was held on a heavy pitch after the overnight frost had thawed during mid-morning, Epsom & Ewell saw Ben Hayward unavailable with Gary McLaughlin coming in for Hayward in the middle of the park. Epsom & Ewell saw Richard Webber shown a yellow in the 21st minute for a late challenge and minutes later Marcus Rose was clattered by one of the Raynes Park Vale forwards, the challenge forcing Rose to come off injured with Shane Sinclair his replacement. The only real chance for Raynes Park Vale in the first half saw Paul Borg have to make a flying save to his right to parry a shot from 20 yards out wide of the post, Dale Marvell saw his volley from 12 yards out on 27 minutes crash off the face of the crossbar but Epsom did also get the ball to bounce through the visitors six yard box through Robbie Burns seeing Kyle Hough unable to reach the ball and Shane Sinclair arriving on the back post was unable to make contact either but had the ball hit the back of the net it would have been ruled out for offside. Epsom & Ewell tried their best to get shots on target but the heavy pitch saw the match break up on regular occasions. The second half saw Raynes Park Vale happy to sit back deep and soak up Epsom & Ewell's pressure and seem happy with gaining a point, Epsom tried their hardest to get the all important goals, Kyle Hough seeing a shot from 12 yards out on 56 minutes blocked by a defender's leg and Robbie Burns was in prime position to turn on a Ross Shoefield corner on 69 minutes as he arrived at the near post, the Raynes Park Vale keeper getting his body in the way on the line to stop the shot, although it appeared he had no idea that it had hit him. Robbie Burns, Kyle Hough and Richard Webber all had attempts that drifted away from goal as the half continued, the final chance of the game saw Richard Webber get on the end of a cross, his volley across the face of goal arched away from the far post and out for a goal kick. It's fair to say that the ball didn't fall for Epsom today in front of goal but credit to Raynes Park Vale as they came for a point which they gained and neither side deserved to win the match. Thursday 12th February 2009 At last one of the club's sides found themselves able to play as the Youth fixture at Chipstead was declared able to be played on the Chips High Road ground this evening, a light snow fall in early evening saw the home side have to brush the snow off the pitch markings as the game took place with a yellow match ball. Chipstead took advantage of poor Epsom defending to take a 6th minute lead with a low shot past Ned Humphreys, Dayle Honess should have scored an equaliser off a corner on 22 minutes that managed to bounce through the box, Honess' effort from 6 yards out managing to get stuck between the thighs of the home keeper. The final ten minutes of the first half were played in heavy snow falling from the skies, Epsom & Ewell were starting to look the stronger side and got a deserved equaliser on 38 minutes as Fernando Betancourt's pass out to the wing found James Voisey, his cross in from wide seeing the Chipstead keeper unable to get full control of the ball as it squirmed away with from him with the help of the snowy pitch as the ball ran straight to Luke Longhurst to tap home from 4 yards out. Four Chipstead volunteers were on the pitch sweeping the snow from around the pitch markings from the start of the half-time interval but the centre line and the markings in one box disappeared again within two minutes of the volunteers efforts and therefore the referee decided to abandon the match - additional consideration was taken for safety of players, match officials and spectators in getting home in worsening conditions on ungritted country roads. Monday 02nd February 2009 The Suburban League have made a decision early this morning to postpone all midweek Suburban League matches this midweek, which means that this Wednesday's reserves match at home to Leatherhead has been postponed. The snow showers that started at around 5pm last night have been persistent, both pitches at Merland Rise and the surrounding roads are currently under 11 inches of snow at 9am. Saturday 31st January 2009 Epsom & Ewell came back from looking dead and buried at half-time to keep the pace with Bedfont Green at the top of the Combined Counties League Premier Division table. Jamie Hatfield still suffering from an injury picked up last week against Ash United was rested allowing new signing from Chessington & Hook United Richard Webber to start at left back. Epsom & Ewell still looked in shell shock mode from last week's defeat at Ash United throughout the first half as Epsom & Ewell only registered one shot on target in the first half as Robbie Burns was fed a ball on 28 minutes by Dale Marvell but Burns effort was over the crossbar. The match was being won in the midfield in the first half but Sandhurst's pressure saw them take a deserved lead on 26 minutes, a through ball seeing Matt Hopton get inside of Charlie West, Epsom keeper Paul Borg raced out from his line allowing Hopton from 15 yards out to only need to lift the ball into an unguarded net over Borg spreading himself. Unfortunately the remaining time left in the first half after the goal had been scored found the ball in play for only half the time as Sandhurst took their time in taking throw-ins, corners and free-kicks - if the match officials don't speed them up or take action then nobody can blame the opposition for these tactics but it makes watching the grass grow an entertaining sport. The second half saw Epsom & Ewell come out more purposeful and with a change of formation, Sandhurst had the better of the opening five minutes but Epsom were left aggrieved for the second week running by an assistant referee's decision, Ross Shoefield's cross field ball seeing Kyle Hough adjudged to be offside but he was inactive as the ball was played, Robbie Burns making a 10 yard darting run to get to the ball and from the edge of the area chip the ball home over Sandhurst keeper Asen Agov stranded in no-mans land. The injustice suddenly sparked the Epsom side into life, the next cross into the Sandhurst box on 55 minutes from Dale Marvell saw Robbie Burns trying to end a ten game goal drought and with the goal disallowed minutes before go up with Sandhurst keeper Asen Agov for a 50-50 ball that saw Burns pole-axe the keeper. The Epsom & Ewell grit and determination did see the E's eventually equalise on 61 minutes, Kyle Hough cutting into the box and laying the ball back into the middle of the Sandhurst box, the ball coming to Burns' feet with his back to goal, Burns turning his marker and unleashing a shot from 12 yards out that flew through a crowd of players and past Sandhurst keeper Asen Agov - the relief evident that the drought had ended. The vocal support of the Epsom supporters spurred Epsom on as Sandhurst allowed gaps to open up resulting in the visitors to be put on the back foot and Epsom winning a string of corners. Epsom took the lead on 76 minutes, Kyle Hough picking up the ball off Ben Hayward's block just outside of the Sandhurst box, Hough's weaving just inside the box allowed himself to generate just enough space to have a shot that took a bounce off a grass divot in the churned up penalty box, the ball coming at an uncomfortable height for Asen Agov who got both hands behind the ball but was unable to hold on to it as the ball ran loose, nobody picked up the run of Dale Marvell as he ghosted in to slot the ball home from 4 yards out. Epsom went for the Sandhurst jugular and came so near to hitting a third on 81 minutes, Ben Hayward joining up with the Epsom attack to receive a Kyle Hough lay back to hit a curling shot from the edge of the Sandhurst box that clipped the outside of the post then travelled along on the outside the net and hit the stanchion - anybody on the wrong side of the ground would have thought that Epsom had scored a third. Both Alex Rodrigues and Charlie West were getting their heads on end of corners in the final ten minutes, Alex Rodrigues causing panic in the Sandhurst box when the visitors failed to clear the ball on 83 minutes resulting in a mad scramble and Charlie West headed wide on 85 minutes and then was on the end of a Ross Shoefield corner on 88 minutes as he connected with a powerful header that Asen Agov managed to cling on to, another yard to the right of the visitors keeper and it would have been number three. Reserves fightback to win at Horley with 10 men The reserves were in action this afternoon as well - there first game since before Christmas as they came back from 2-0 down and only ten men following the dismissal of Peter Solomon to eventually win 3-2. Epsom & Ewell's goals scored by Jordan Ellis from the penalty spot and then Danny Barham with a brace following the hosts also being reduced to ten men. Saturday 24th January 2009 Epsom & Ewell came away with no points from Ash United and didn't deserve any for the poor performance put in as the visitors were defeated 2-1. Ash United missed three one on ones, the worst one occurring on 15 minutes when their striker rolled the ball past Paul Borg and the far post from 12 yards out. Epsom & Ewell took a 32nd minute lead when Shane Sinclair got away from his marker to put a cross into the middle of the danger area, Robbie Burns bringing it down to turn and fire from 10 yards out which was blocked, the loose ball falling to Dale Marvell to drill home. Dale Marvell should have doubled the lead on 42 minutes as he got in a powerful header at goal off a Shane Sinclair cross but the Ash United keeper managed to block. Ash United equalised on 55 minutes, a speculative shot from the edge of the box over Paul Borg that came back off the underside off the crossbar, Epsom defenders not close enough to prevent the onrushing Ash player to bury the ball from 8 yards out. Ash United scored the winner on 60 minutes, a cross in from the left wing close to the by-line saw Borg appear to push the ball on to the underside of the crossbar, a mad couple of seconds then occurred that saw two Ash United player celebrate as Epsom cleared the ball and the assistant referee not clearly signal a goal but run back towards the half-way line that saw the referee assume it had gone in, Borg and all the Epsom defenders surrounding the assistant referee - following the match the reason why they surrounded the assistant was explained that the ball had curled out by at least four feet and then curled back into play as it came over the crossbar which the assistant failed to spot. Tuesday 20th January 2009 Epsom & Ewell eased past Redhill to set up a home tie with Corinthian-Casuals in the next round of the Surrey Senior Cup. Epsom & Ewell were forced to make a couple of changes from the starting line-up from Saturday as flu ridden Charlie West was replaced by Alex McKay, Ben Hayward who limped through Saturday's win against North Greenford after picking up a foot injury last week was rested with Joel Keys coming in as his replacement and Kyle Hough who suffered a groin strain on Saturday was dropped to the bench with Shane Sinclair starting up front with Robbie Burns. Epsom & Ewell had the upper hand from the start and pinned back the visitors in their own half for the opening twenty minutes as the match began at a pace with numerous controlled tackles evident from both sides. Epsom came close on several occasions with efforts that were fired wide of the visitors goal before the opening goal occurred on 22 minutes, Dale Marvell's inswinging corner seeing Joel Keys peel off his marker to get his head to the ball unchallenged to execute a header from 7 yards out that a Redhill defender tried to block on the line but only helped the ball into the net. Epsom & Ewell who had kept Redhill quiet in the first half nearly had déjà vu of Saturday on 35 minutes as Paul Borg came rushing out of his goal to try to retrieve a ball but Redhill striker Marcel Dennis got to the ball first, his shot seeing Alex Rodrigues block the effort on the line. Robbie Burns was presented with a chance by a Shane Sinclair cross on 43 minutes but his effort was lofted off the crossbar. Epsom should have been two up within seconds of the start of the second half as a Jamie Hatfield cross was brought down by Robbie Burns, his reverse pass finding Gary McLaughlin arriving towards the back post for a one on one, his effort from 8 yards out was straight at Shannon Ruth who stuck his leg out to deflect the shot wide for a corner. The key point of the match occurred on 64 minutes, a Redhill cross into the box seeing poor marking allow the visitors forward to get a powerful downward header in from 10 yards out that caught Paul Borg by surprise as he was forced to make a reaction save that saw him only able to parry the ball but then complete the save by getting his body behind the ball as it was about to trickle over the line. Borg's throw finding Shane Sinclair to pick up the ball in the middle of the Epsom half, Sinclair going on a 50 yard sprint down the right wing before laying the ball into Kyle Hough who had only come on minutes before for Gary McLaughlin, Hough managing to evade one challenge and then on the turn just inside the area hit a shot that floated into the top corner of the net - one moment it was ever so nearly one all and less than twenty seconds later Epsom were two goals clear. The tie was wrapped up on 71 minutes, Kyle Hough playing the ball into Dale Marvell who immediately played it back into the path of Hough to collect just inside the box, Hough from 12 yards out playing the ball against the legs of Ruth Shannon who had come out of his goal to try to narrow the angle but the power in the shot by Hough saw the ball spin up off Shannon's legs allowing the ball to roll home with Hough walking behind it to ensure the ball found the unguarded net. Paul Borg pulled off another spectacular save from point blank range on 84 minutes with the help of his chest but Epsom & Ewell were comfortable to play the ball around for the final twenty minutes. Monday 19th January 2009 Today's matches involving our reserves at home to Chessington & Hook United and the youth away at Croydon have both been postponed due to the torrential downpours during last night and this morning that have flooded both pitches. In relation to the Surrey Senior Cup match at home to Redhill tomorrow night on the main pitch - this is looking doubtful. At 8:30pm this evening when we looked at the pitch although there were no visible signs of puddles remaining, the bottom third of the pitch was unplayable as it very heavy and holding water and would have severely cut up - if we receive any rain between tonight and kick-off tomorrow the game is almost certainly to be off. Saturday 17th January 2009 Epsom & Ewell managed to open the gap at the top of the Combined Counties League Premier Division table up to three points over Bedfont Green with a 3-2 win against North Greenford United at Merland Rise. Shane Sinclair was replaced by Marcus Rose in the starting line-up with new signing from Raynes Park Vale Simon Moore replacing Leon White who has transferred to Guildford City on the bench. The match started with Epsom having the upper hand throughout the first half with the wind in their backs and early chances saw Robbie Burns and Kyle Hough both have half chances with shots within the area that North Greenford keeper Babacarr Jallow was forced to push behind for corners. Epsom took a deserved 15th minute lead when a Ross Shoefield upfield ball was flicked on by Robbie Burns finding the path of Dale Marvell who decided to hit the ball first time with a powerful volley from the edge of the visitors box that flashed past the visitors keeper Babacarr Jallow who was unable to react. North Greenford did not look threatening as Epsom had them on the back foot but they managed to score an equaliser with their first attack into the Epsom box, a poor throw-in by Gary McLaughlin saw North Greenford intercept and start a move down the North Greenford right wing as a cross into the box seeing Jack Bennett in the middle of the Epsom box outjump Epsom's right back Ben Hayward to head the ball home past Paul Borg with both Epsom centre-backs out of position. Epsom deservedly regained the lead on 40 minutes but in fortunate circumstances, Dale Marvell's free kick 30 yards out wide on the left wing caught in the breeze as it was flighted to the back post and was on target to find the top corner, North Greenford keeper Babacarr Jallow managing to collect the ball above his head as both hands were on the ball but as he landed he lost his balance forcing him to step back and collide with the post seeing the ball come loose from his grasp, Jallow tried to punch the ball over his own bar but only managed to punch it on to the underside of the crossbar allowing the ball to find the inside of the goal. Dale Marvell completed his hat-trick a mere 90 seconds or so later as he picked up the ball in the middle of the visitors half, Marvell dinked his way through two defenders tackles before unleashing a powerful low shot from the edge of the North Greenford box that moved away from Babacarr Jallow's dive as it found the corner of the net. Dale Marvell nearly notched a fourth on 44 minutes as his persistence saw him nip in to intercept a bsck pass, his effort from 7 yards out forcing Babacarr Jallow into a blocking save to his right, North Greenford's Jamie Diston managing to get to the ball first to hook the loose ball clear with Gary McLaughlin less than another two yards away from being able to roll the ball into an unguarded net. Paul Borg ensured that Epsom went in at half-time with a two goal margin intact with a low save to his right to deflect a Gary Senior strike from 20 yards out away from the home goal. Epsom struggled to cope with the wind in their faces in the opening minutes as North Greenford won a string of fouls and free-kicks, Matt Murray's free-kick on 48 minutes finding Gary Senior arriving on the back post to glance the ball home past Paul Borg from 8 yards out. Shane Sinclair managed to get between two visiting defenders to pick up a Dale Marvell through ball, Sinclair managed to commit Babacarr Jallow to come out of his goal to narrow the angle, Sinclair from a tight angle 10 yards out managed to beat the North Greenford keeper with a shot that flashed through the six yard box and out for a goal kick wide of the visitors goal. Robbie Burns was on the end of a Dale Marvell cross from the Epsom left wing on 57 minutes, his downward header forcing Babacarr Jallow to make a reaction blocking save to parry it downwards but he had to still make a desperate scramble on all fours to keep out the loose ball that was slowly rolling towards the goal line, Jallow eventually managing to stop the ball with only ¼ of it having travelled over the line. Ross Shoefield managed to wriggle his way through a couple of challenges on 64 minutes but his effort from just inside the box was skied over the visitors goal. North Greenford had the majority of the final 25 minutes as Epsom were forced backwards to defend, the increasing wind speeds at the visitors backs throughout the second half saw Epsom attempted clearances blown back towards the Epsom players, Gary Senior with a glancing header wide on 82 minutes and a Charlie West clearance over his own bar on 86 minutes the only notable times the ball came close to the Epsom goal but the visitors managed to get numerous corners but Epsom were able to clear the ball each time. Wednesday 14th January 2009 Epsom & Ewell's youth team managed to pick up three points at home with a 2-1 win against Chipstead at Merland Rise. Epsom & Ewell after a six week layoff found themselves a goal down after 14 minutes as none of the Epsom defenders managed to get a foot in allowing a shot to be fired on target by the Chipstead striker from 15 yards out beating Ned Humphries on his near post. A defensive clearance on 28 minutes saw James Voisey run 40 yards to be first to collect a ball and manage to take the ball around the visitors keeper but a Chipstead defender tracking back managed to put the Epsom striker off as Voisey decided to pass the ball instead of firing the ball at the unguarded net. Epsom were fortunate to be awarded a free-kick on 37 minutes, nobody understanding why the referee had awarded the free-kick but Lee Davison managed to curl the ball around the wall and into the bottom corner of the net. Epsom & Ewell looked the more threatening during the second half and what turned out to be the winner occurred on 65 minutes as Chris Brayne added yet another contender to goal of the season as he hit a shot from 30 yards out that found the top corner of the net leaving the Chipstead keeper rooted to his line as a spectator. Epsom came close to adding a third with ten minutes to go as a shot was deflected that forced the Chipstead keeper into a save that he was able to complete at the second grasp of the ball. One lapse with five minutes left nearly allowed two points to slip away as Chipstead were in but Ed Humphries having advanced from his goal did just enough to put off the visitors player as the Chipstead striker managed to fire the ball wide of an unguarded net. Tuesday 13th January 2009 Epsom & Ewell regained top spot in a rusty performance against an equally rusty Cove side and the end result was probably the fairest result on balance. Cove took an 11th minute lead when a corner thrust into the middle of the Epsom six yard box saw two Cove players left unmarked as a simple executed downward header was able to be despatched past Paul Borg making his first start after injuring his finger at Bookham in November. Epsom could and should have been already ahead though as Shane Sinclair drove an effort wide of Chris Foster's far post on 5 minutes and Kyle Hough managed to get to a ball over the top on 8 minutes as he beat Chris Foster with a chip but with the empty goal at his mercy he managed to put it wide but later revealed that he lost the ball in the floodlights. Robbie Burns got his head to a Dale Marvell cross on 29 minutes but the header flashed just over the crossbar from 8 yards out. Epsom & Ewell got an equaliser on 50 minutes thanks to a goal keeping howler by Cove keeper Chris Foster, Kyle Hough's cross seeing Foster put his name on the ball but a Cove defender failed to get out of the way as Foster who had got gloves on the ball collided his own player allowing the ball to spill from his grasp straight to the feet of Dale Marvell to fire the ball home from 10 yards out. Cove re-took the lead on 65 minutes as a shot from 15 yards out beat Paul Borg but came back off the post, Cove's Alex Jeffers the first to the loose ball converted the rebound. Epsom & Ewell scored a second equaliser on 78 minutes moments after a double substitution as Ben Hayward spread a ball out to Kyle Hough, his low cross into the box finding Dale Marvell to convert past Chris Foster from 15 yards out through a crowd of players with the outside of his boot. Both sides created half chances in the final ten minutes but the score line remained at deadlock. Saturday 03rd January 2009 Today's match at home to Guildford City was postponed at just gone 1:30pm and we apologise to those players and supporters that turned up at the ground. A mid morning inspection found the ground hard but was starting to thaw due to the sun playing on it which resulted in a decision to allow the pitch to thaw with a final decision when the match referee turned up at the ground. The match referee decided when he inspected the pitch that although the pitch was playable, as soon as the sun set that the pitch would re-freeze very quickly and therefore decided to postpone the match - the decision being the correct one as at 4pm at the end of Epsom & Ewell's training session held on the back pitch the main pitch had become very hard and had frozen again.
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