Epsom won promotion to the South Premier League 2 in dramatic fashion on Sunday, scoring a golden goal in extra time to win the final 2-1 against a valiant Holcombe 2s side. Earlier on in the day Epsom had won a pulsating semi final 5-3 against Gore Court to go through to the final.

The playoffs this year featured both semi finals and the final played on the same day. Epsom arrived in time to see the first semi final being played which was won by Holcombe 2s. To get through to the final however, Epsom first had the hard task of playing Gore Court, a side they knew a bit about from two previous campaigns in South Prem 2. Fast, skilful and with a high class dragflicker in Aaron Glass, Gore Court are a useful side and it was somewhat of a surprise to Epsom that they had found their way into relegation contention. However, Epsom were determined to give it everything they had.

Playoff Day Reports

Gore Court: 3

Epsom: 5 (Midmer, Bhatti, P.Atkinson 3)

There was an electrifying atmosphere as this game started, and it was soon clear that both sides were looking only to attack. Epsom started the game stronger and their travelling supporters were in great voice as the Surrey side created early chances through some intelligent passes from Wade Joubert.  Epsom player / coach Immy Bhatti seemed to be everywhere, with some onlookers suggesting he was potentially doing more running in the opening 10 minutes than in the whole regular season put together. Eventually the pace caught up with Bhatti, but his replacement Jimmy Midmer scored with his first touch, deflecting home a free hit which was fired in by James Harris. Epsom had the goal their early pressure had deserved, but they then conceded almost immediately, when some poor marking at a free hit allowed Gore Court to find their key player Aaron Glass in the area, and he fired home a powerful reverse stick strike. Buoyed by their equaliser, Gore Court started upping the pace and Epsom had to defend bravely for the rest of the half, with Alex Simmonds putting his body on the line regularly. Gore Court’s best chance came at a melee following a short corner, but somehow the ball stayed out and Ali Murrell calmly cleared while still wearing his protective face mask. Just before half time Epsom thought they had the lead again when Paul Atkinson jinked through and finished, but the goal was disallowed. Honours even at 1-1 at half time.

The second half was almost nonstop action as both sides threw everything forward to take the tie. Epsom soon retook the lead when Mike Atkinson ran in from the right and squared to Bhatti, who showed real composure, with defenders and the keeper moving everywhere, to fire home low into the bottom left corner. Sensing an opportunity Epsom attacked and scored again soon after, this time Paul Atkinson showing real class to calmly walk the ball past a stranded keeper and make it 3-1. Epsom should really have shut down the tie at this point, with Bhatti hitting the post with an instinctive deflection, but Gore Court regrouped and won a number of short corners in quick succession. Epsom ‘keeper Colin Savage made a superb save high to his right to keep out one dragflick from Glass, but the Gore Court danger man then powered in two high class flicks in quick succession to make the score 3-3. The momentum was with Gore Court, but Epsom showed impressive character to go on the attack again and win a short corner, from which Paul Atkinson swept home a disguised hit to make it 4-3 with just 5 minutes to go. With the game becoming very stretched, Paul Atkinson saved the best until last, cutting in from the left hand channel, beating two defenders, and then planting the ball past the keeper to make it 5-3. It completed a vintage hat-trick and sealed what was a truly memorable game for Epsom.

Holcombe 2’s: 1

Epsom: 2 (Bhatti, M.Atkinson)

After a two hour break Epsom had to rouse their weary limbs for the final. A win in this game would send them back into the South Premier league and there were nerves in the dressing room.

This was a totally different game from the semi final, with Holcombe 2s having a much more defensive, patient gameplan, and looking to use some quick, skilful players on the break. Holcombe tactics were spot on in the early stages and they were soon ahead through a well taken deflected goal. With Epsom looking jaded, they received inspiration off the field from some fantastic support from the crowd, and on the field via a brilliant piece of work from Immy Bhatti, who robbed a Holcombe defender close to the goal, and then in a blur of stick work had the ball in the back of the net. Epsom settled down following this strike and had further chances, with Mike Atkinson going close, and Paul Atkinson’s high deflection drawing a superb reaction save from the Holcombe keeper just before half time. The sides went into the break at 1-1.

Epsom knew that the second half was going to be tough, with several players out on their feet despite the several kilos of bananas consumed between games. With fatigue and nerves beginning to set in, the second half was a tense, scrappy affair. Epsom had maybe slightly more of the play, but Holcombe were always dangerous and Epsom had keeper Colin Savage to thank for staying in the game as he produced a stunning double save mid way through the half to keep the scores level. As the game wore on Epsom players were starting to seize up all over the place, but they kept on going, driven on by management duo Rob Tong and James Harris, who ran themselves into the ground in midfield. The game finished 1-1 after normal time and so it went to extra time and golden goal.

With doubts over whether several players would even finish the 15 minutes of extra time, Epsom were determined to finish the game quickly and they attacked throughout the extra time, going close on a number of occasions. With Epsom knocking at the door, Immy Bhatti took a quick free hit in the 25 and was blocked off by some tired looking Holcombe defenders resulting in a short corner. From the corner, Wade Joubert’s drag flick was saved, but the rebound fell to Mike Atkinson on the left, who spun and smashed a shot home from a tight angle. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations for Epsom, who had worked so hard throughout the day, although it must be said that Holcombe were worthy finalists, never gave up and could easily have won on another day.