(Midmer, Joubert (2), Tong,  M.Atkinson)

After a short break Epsom played the tournaments third side Cheam. The winner of this game would join Wayfarers in the next round but with conditions still hot, and weary limbs on both sides, there was a distinct lack of enthusiasm in both teams preparations.

Cheam's enthusiasm for the game could be measured by the fact that they requested the game time to be cut to 20 minutes each way. Ruthless Epsom skipper Rob Tong was having none of it however, and ordered his side to look for goals. Epsom poured forward in the early exchanges, winning a number of short corners, two of which saw well struck efforts from James Harris and Wade Joubert hit the bar. A slightly less well struck effort from James Midmer then gave Epsom the lead, the striker showing the value of accuracy rather than power by rolling in a reverse stick shot.

This could well have opened the floodgates, but Epsom instead became compacent and Cheam played good hockey grabbing an equaliser from the penalty spot. At 1-1 Epsom upped their game, as Mike Atkinson made a strong run down the right before cutting the ball back for Wade Joubert to slap home emphatically from the top of the area for a 2-1 lead which Epsom retained until half time.

The second half saw energy levels drop and the game became an extended possession session for both sides. Epsom were still the slightly more adventurous going forward, and Wade Joubert struck midway through the half to give Epsom a 3-1 lead Epsom then started to loosely dominate proceedings, although they still looked lethargic and fitness levels may have to be raised The short corner again showed signs of rustiness, with Joubert selflessly passing up two opportunities for a hat trick and several alternative routines going astray.

Skipper Rob Tong showed his team the way at the set piece, firing home after the ball had been slipped left from the top. With the game getting stretched Mike Atkinson grabbed a deserved goal when he broke clear of the Cheam backline, rounded the keeper, and rolled the ball in for an efficient, if not spectacular, 5-1 win that sees the side entered in the main draw for the Surrey Cup.

Match report by Jimmy Midmer