Match Reports 
Mens 1's Oxted 2nd XI 2 - Epsom 4 : League
Mens 1's Oxted 2nd XI 2 - Epsom 4 : League
Epsom Goals By Jimmy Midmer (2), Russell Tebay & Rob Tong
Epsom were without key player Paul Atkinson for the trip to Oxted, and without his reliable finishing at short corners Epsom were unsure as to where the goals would come from. Morale was not improved by a robust start from Oxted which proved too much for Wade Joubert, the forward was sin binned after voicing his opinions on the standard of tackling. As so often happens however, the sin bin actually worked in Epsom's favour, with player coach Immy Bhatti soon meandering through some lacklustre tackling to set up James Midmer to finish from a narrow angle.Epsom doubled their advantage, still with 10 men, soon after with a superb goal from Russell Tebay. Tebays pace both on and off the ball proved too much for Oxted, as he started a move down the left before ghosting into the area to deflect home an accurate pass from Bhatti.
Epsom were by now in full control of the half; Joubert was welcomed back onto the pitch with open arms, the sun was shining, and Matt Simmonds was celebrating his final game of the season with a vintage performance at left back. Epsom scored two further goals before half time, although both of them had more than a hint of controversy amongst the Oxted supporters. The third goal arrived when right back Brett Hosken fired the ball into the area at ankle height; Oxted waited for a whistle that never arrived, Rob Tong crashed home the loose ball off the underside of the bar and it was 3-0. Oxted were clearly frustrated, and their mood cannot have been improved when their left back shepherded the ball out of play wide out in the 25 and was called for obstruction. Epsom converted the subsequent short-corner, with Joubert's drag flick saved, falling to Hosken, whose effort was bundled in by Midmer to take a 4-0 lead into half time.
Having finished the half strongly Epsom were looking to add further goals and post a dominant victory over a decent Oxted side. This gameplan did not materialise however as Oxted showed great tenacity to up their game considerably and strike back with two quick goals. Both Oxted's goals were scored early in the second half by striker Joe Koure, who first crashed home a short corner strike via a deflection off Alex Simmonds and then converted a penalty flick which appeared to be given against Nathan Hutchings for a push. With Oxted now firmly back in the game and attacking with purpose, Epsom had to dig deep and the back four of Hosken, Simmonds, Hutchings and Simmonds all showed the defensive side of their game as the half wore on to limit clear cut chances. Epsom were not the same force going forward, although there were chances with Midmer and Joubert squandering the best of them.
Epsom stay second and host Reigate Priory next week, who are a strong team arriving on the back of improving form. This will be a tough game for Epsom and skipper Rob Tong said he was looking for an improved 70 minute performance at Blenheim.
