Epsom: 3 (P.Atkinson, Midmer, Hildrey)
Maidstone: 4
Having played brightly in recent weeks, Epsom were confident going into a home game against Maidstone, who arrived just two places above them. But in a slow paced game which never really caught fire, the visitors showed more tenacity and won 4-3.
The game started slowly with both sides wary of a hard, bumpy Blenheim pitch which was frozen solid in places. However, Paul Atkinson slotted home Epsom’s first short corner for a 1-0 lead and for a while it was looking easy for the Surrey side as Mike and Paul Atkinson combined well in attack to orchestrate further pressure. However, Epsom could not get a second goal and a hint of complacency had set in by the time Maidstone equalised when a short corner was converted via a deflection. Maidstone then took a 2-1 lead when a cross cum shot from the right was not dealt with by Epsom and the ball ended up dribbling over the line. Epsom rallied and, playing in more aggressive fashion, scored a well worked equaliser when Brett Hosken’s shot was turned in by James Midmer. The score was 2-2 at half time.
Epsom started the second half brightly but some early momentum was derailed when a short corner was awarded to Maidstone, and the visitors launched a rebound into the roof of the net for 3-2. Thereafter Maidstone shut up shop and defended this lead with tenacity, as Epsom hammered on the door for the last 20 minutes without finding the final finish. Having missed some good chances from open play and short corners, Epsom were then hit by a well worked late Maidstone goal which effectively sealed the game at 4-2. Epsom won a short corner at the final whistle, from which Oli Hildrey restored some measure of pride with a good drag flick into the top corner.
This was a frustrating day for Epsom, who failed to add enough clinical touches to a host of possession and finish the first half of the season down in 11th place. The side have played some good hockey at times, but have lost several close games and will hope for some more clinical finishing and a change in fortunes in the second half of the season.