Epsom eased to a 5-1 victory at London Edwardians on Saturday to give themselves a real chance of securing second place in the league.

The Surrey side seemed to be in the mood early on, zipping the ball around with assurance and creating several chances up front, but it was London Edwardians who took the lead slightly against the run of play, when some confusion in the Epsom rearguard resulted in Nathan Hutchings playing emergency goalkeeper and conceding a penalty flick, which an Edwardians striker rolled calmly into the corner.

Epsom regrouped impressively and put together some incisive attacks, with right back Brett Hosken playing high up the field and linking up several spells of attacking play. Hosken was dominant and it was no surprise that he created the equaliser, advancing and crashing in a cross which was deflected home high by skipper Rob Tong. Epsom were exerting constant pressure by now, with Wade Joubert buzzing around the area and creating chances with some intelligent passing. Epsom took the lead midway through the half when a patient attack saw Russell Tebay find space in the area and finish calmly. Epsom pressed hard for the third goal and it arrived just before half time when Jimmy Midmer’s jinking run through the centre set up in form striker Alex Pizzey to roll the ball home from a few yards.

The second half saw Epsom play some stylish attacking hockey, orchestrated by some superb passing from centre half Alex Simmonds. Edwardians played tenaciously, but with Epsom wingers Jimmy Midmer and Mike Atkinson both cutting infield regularly to create chances, the home side had to man the barricades for the much of the second half. Epsom could, and perhaps should, have run up the score, but had to settle for just two second half goals, both of which were demonstrations of Paul Atkinson’s enduring class in front of goal. Atkinson deflected home a short corner, and then smashed home a reverse stick undercut from open play to hand Epsom a 5-1 win.

Epsom’s victory gives them a good chance of making the play offs, with Reigate Priory now the only side with a realistic chance of overtaking them in second place. Epsom need one victory from their remaining two games to make sure of a spot which they have held since just after Christmas. They welcome league winners Richmond to Blenheim School next week in what promises to be a highly exciting game.

					P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
	1			Richmond 1	19	18	1	0	125	20	105	55
	2			Epsom 1	20	13	3	4	79	36	43	42
	3			Reigate Priory 1	19	11	3	5	59	37	22	36
	4			Fareham 2	20	12	0	8	68	62	6	36
	5			UCL Academicals 1	20	10	4	6	46	38	8	34
	6			Trojans 1	20	10	2	8	53	67	-14	32
	7			Bournemouth 1	20	9	3	8	58	50	8	30
	8			Woking 1	20	7	6	7	60	53	7	27
	9			Chichester 2	19	5	2	12	37	66	-29	17
	10			Oxted 2	19	4	4	11	45	67	-22	16
	11			London Edwardians 1	19	3	2	14	32	77	-45	11
	12			Winchester 2	19	0	0	19	17	106	-89	0