Epsom Goals by P.Atkinson, Tong, Marjoram (2), M.Atkinson

Oxted have had good early season results and clearly fancied their chances at Blenheim, setting out an attacking formation with several high forwards.

This created an open and fast flowing game and Epsom were quickly into their stride, with Paul Atkinson deflecting home a short corner routine which came straight from the training ground, to give the home side an early lead.

Oxted have had good early season results and clearly fancied their chances at Blenheim, setting out an attacking formation with several high forwards. This created an open and fast flowing game and Epsom were quickly into their stride, with Paul Atkinson deflecting home a short corner routine which came straight from the training ground, to give the home side an early lead. Oxted were quick to respond, with their key man lashing home a rebound from their own first short corner after Clive Hunt had made a good initial save.

Epsom responded positively and took the lead again with a bizarre goal. The ball was fired into the area, and a 50/50 tackle saw the ball loop off Rob Tong's stick and roll towards the goal. Mike Atkinson distracted the keeper and the ball rolled straight in to hand Tong a first goal of the season. Tong later paid tribute to Atkinson's selfless qualities.

Oxted looked lively and had some good chances to equalise, but Epsom looked constantly dangerous down the right hand side and made it 3-1 when Mike Atkinson drove in and squared for James Marjoram to sweep home from close range. Despite the two goal advantage Epsom started to look nervous, and were reduced to 10 men when Wade Joubert flew into a challenge on the half way line and walked with only 2 minutes of the half to play.

Epsom were 3-1 up at half time, but were reminded of the importance of keeping possession by defensive lynchpin Ali Murrell. With a man advantage starting the second half, Oxted would have been looking to play their way back into the game, but Mike Atkinson scored a superb solo goal almost straight from the restart to put Epsom 4-1 up. Oxted got back into the game almost immediately, with an accurate ball from their right back finding an unmarked striker at the top of the area. Hunt again saved the first effort, but the rebound was snapped up by an Oxted forward to make it 4-2.

Oxted continued to see a lot of the ball, but Epsom's defence remained disciplined, with Alex Simmonds tackling and distributing effectively from centre back, and James Harris screening the back four superbly. Epsom had to look to the counterattack, but some slashing outside breaks from James Midmer and Mike Atkinson created further chances, and Alex Pizzey was unlucky not to score with a fierce high effort smartly saved by the Oxted keeper. With time running out, Epsom made sure of the game, as a reverse flick from Midmer played in the marauding Marjoram, who arrived from nowhere to slap home his second, and Epsom's fifth.

Epsom played well in the first half and showed discipline to close out the game, but with Richmond setting the pace at the top of the table they will have to improve further if they are to contend for promotion. They take on Reigate Priory away next Saturday.

Match report by Jimmy Midmer