Epsom Goals by Tebay, Joubert (2), Tong, Midmer, P.Atkinson

Epsom cruised to a 6-0 win over Chichester 2's at Blenheim School on Saturday. Chichester arrived fresh from a draw against second placed UCL Academicals, and were soon showing that they are a decent, well organised side.

The game was even in the opening stages before Russell Tebay emerged from the bench to bundle in a short corner rebound. Tebay's appearance revitalised Epsom and his pace on the counterattack created Epsom's second, as he flew down the left wing before finding Wade Joubert in the centre, the Durban man scored from close range to make it 2-0.

This goal seemed to relax Epsom and the home side started to play confidently as the half wore on. After a series of short corners the Epsom scored a third goal as skipper Rob Tong lashed home a short corner rebound to make the score 3-0 at half-time. The second half started well for Epsom and had striker Alex Pizzey had slightly more luck the score might have ramped up. Instead Pizzey saw both a neat deflection and a crashing reverse stick strike draw superb saves from the Chichester keeper.

Just when Pizzey thought he had to score with a third chance he was denied by a stick tackle and a penalty stroke was awarded. Joubert showed good initiative to grab hold of the ball and converted with aplomb for his second goal of the game. Epsom were by now well into their stride and Chichester were seeing little of the ball by the time a superb team move enabled James Midmer to add Epsom's fifth.

Chichester continued to compete well into the final stages, and Colin Savage had to be on top form in the Epsom goal to keep his clean sheet. Having played well, Chichester were then slightly unlucky to concede a sixth goal near the end, a soft short corner which Joubert both won, and then used to set up Paul Atkinson for his seventh goal of the season.

Epsom's victory reduces the gap between them and second placed UCL to 2 points as the latter lost away to Trojans. The team have played some good hockey in the first half of the season, but will have to cut out the inconsistent displays which saw them drop points if they want to finish near the top of the league. They restart the season with a important game against UCL at home on January 16th.

Match report by Jimmy Midmer