Epsom Goals by Tebay, Joubert, Bhatti (2)
Epsom had several regular players unavailable to make the trip to Fareham, but welcomed back Gary Scott and Adrian Bettesworth, both of whom came out of retirement to help out the side. Epsom coach Immy Bhatti had to balance his side with several tactical changes, the most notable being a trip upfield for regular right back Brett Hosken, deployed at left midfield.
Epsom started brightly, with Scott looking imperious at right midfield in the early stages and James Harris holding the centre and orchestrating a slick passing game. Epsom won two penalty corners, but despite the presence of Scott and Joubert, two of Durban's finest dragflickers, the score remained 0-0. Alex Pizzey then saw a good effort saved, but Epsom eventually took the lead with a quick counterattack; Scott finding James Midmer who surged through the midfield and played in Russell Tebay, who drifted in from left wing and beat the keeper at the near post with a great finish.
Epsom were looking good value for their lead, and soon went 2-0 up with strikers Joubert and Midmer exchanging several passes in a packed area before Joubert flicked the ball accurately into the right corner. Epsom cruised through the remainder of the half, with Scott's subtle range of passing creating further opportunities, but some tight defence from Fareham, held the score at 2-0. Fareham reduced the deficit to 2-1 right before half time, with a great finish from a striker, who cracked home from the top of the area.
The second half proved to be much tougher for Epsom, who ceded territory and possession to a resurgent Fareham side. The home side found the Epsom defence on top form however, and some brave tackles from Alex Simmonds and Bettesworth limited Fareham's chances from open play. As the half wore on Epsom began to look dangerous on the counterattack and they extended their lead from a short corner, with coach Immy Bhatti finishing calmly after Joubert's initial strike had been saved. Joubert was in inspired form, but a dispute with the opposition centre back saw the striker sent to the sin bin.
Fareham poured forward to try and get back into the game, but they left space at the back and Bhatti was in his element, crashing home a superb shot into the top right corner to make it 4-1. Fareham got one back near the end of the game, but it was not enough to stop Epsom taking the points back on a long journey home. Epsom's defence rightfully took the plaudits, with Nathan Hutchings and Bettesworth both quietly efficient and Ali Murrell and Alex Simmonds showing high class in the centre.
Epsom stand-in captain James Harris was in good spirits at the close; "Fareham is a long way to come and I was pleased with a disciplined performance. We had several players out but I thought the reorgansied side played superbly and there may be some selection issues for next week".
Harris paid particular tribute to returning heroes Scott and Bettesworth; "They are legends of the club and it was great to see them both out on the field again." The result moves
Epsom up to third in the table. They play Bournemouth next week at home.
Match report by Jimmy Midmer