Epsom welcomed local rivals Woking to Blenheim school on Saturday, where an action packed game finished as a 3-3 draw.

The sides drew 2-2 before Christmas and Epsom knew that this would be a stern test as Woking are a tough, combative side who contain no shortage of goalscorers within their ranks. Epsom dominated the opening stages, but a combination of some rusty finishing and decent saves from the Woking ‘keeper meant that the score remained level. Having been mostly on the back foot, Woking then took the lead from their first real chance, a short corner that actually seemed to go wrong, but nevertheless ended up with a decent strike from the right hand side of the area finding the corner. Epsom pushed forward again in response, but lacked the patience to create real chances and after a short corner had broken down, Woking put together a sweeping counterattacking move that ended when captain Andy Pike swept the ball home for a 2-0 lead which the visitors held until half time.

Epsom knew they needed more precision in attack in the second half, and there were encouraging signs when Alex Pizzey cut the deficit to one by scoring from close range after good approach play from Wade Joubert. Having been restored to his favoured right wing berth, Mike Atkinson then produced a trademark run down the right, got to the byline, and pulled the ball back for Pizzey to smash home to make it 2-2. Epsom were now well in the ascendancy, and Atkinson’s skilful running soon saw his marker sent to the sin bin. With a man advantage the stage was set for Epsom to go on and dominate, but the home side failed to take the initiative and then conceded a very soft goal; Woking’s centre forward meandering through three lacklustre tackles in the area before planting a reverse stick shot into the corner. Epsom, to their credit, went straight back on the attack and equalised again, Ali Murrell striding forward and finding Pizzey, whose intelligent lateral run and first time finish were of high quality and made the score 3-3. Epsom poured forward in the closing stages in search of a winning goal but found the Woking ‘keeper on good form again.

Had they finished their chances better Epsom might have had more from this game than a 3-3 draw, but Woking are a decent side and came with a gameplan and were the only side to lead the game throughout. Having been 2-0 down at halftime Epsom showed good character to get back in the game, and the point gained was actually more valuable than first thought, as both the sides below Epsom lost. Epsom now have a five point cushion in second, and they will have a chance to consolidate the playoff spot next week, away to London Edwardians. They will have to play much better than they did here however to beat a London Edwardian’s side who gave them a real test before Christmas.

					P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
	1			Richmond 1	18	17	1	0	118	19	99	52
	2			Epsom 1	19	12	3	4	74	35	39	39
	3			UCL Academicals 1	19	10	4	5	45	31	14	34
	4			Reigate Priory 1	18	10	3	5	54	33	21	33
	5			Fareham 2	19	11	0	8	61	60	1	33
	6			Bournemouth 1	19	9	3	7	54	45	9	30
	7			Trojans 1	19	9	2	8	52	67	-15	29
	8			Woking 1	19	6	6	7	53	47	6	24
	9			Chichester 2	18	5	2	11	37	65	-28	17
	10			Oxted 2	18	4	4	10	39	60	-21	16
	11			London Edwardians 1	18	3	2	13	31	72	-41	11
	12			Winchester 2	18	0	0	18	15	99	-84	0