Epsom Goals from Alex Pizzey, Paul Atkinson and Matt Heal
Epsom were facing potential embarassment in this fixture against the league's bottom club, before two late goals handed them a scarcely deserved 3-1 win.
Epsom actually started the game in ideal fashion, applying pressure and scoring early through a composed finish from Alex Pizzey.
Then it all fell apart. The remainder of the game saw the Surrey side turn in an appalling performance, devoid of any tempo, ambition, or finishing. The highlight of the game was Epsom's second goal; a short corner conversion crashed home by Paul Atkinson, although the fact that this was to retake the lead after Winchester had scored a deserved equaliser shows how close the home side came to springing an upset. An increasingly dire game was then further marred when a Winchester player recieved a red card. Epsom made sure of the win near the close, with Mat Heal marking his first game back from injury by finishing off another short corner at the far post. There was few positives in this performance for Epsom, and the side will be looking to bounce back with a much improved showing next weekend, when they welcome Fareham 2's to Blenheim.
Potentially more interesting than the game were the issues it threw up
- The Curse of 9- Epsom's scoring chart is now remarkably headed by four players on 9 goals and there seems to be a general effort from playing and coaching staff to share the scoring around. Russell Tebay's recent goalscoring heroics were curtailed when coach Immy Bhatti placed him at centre back, and Wade Joubert was the latest player to pass up on the opportunity of getting to double figures, with his first half penalty flick saved
- Epsom started this game with six forwards on the field, and another on the bench, surely the most gung ho selection policy of recent times?
- The return of "opening and closing the gate" stretches to the pre match warm up. Vigorous complaints from South African star Brett Hosken had seen these banished, but stand in skipper James Harris took the chance in the absence of skipper Rob Tong to reintroduce them, causing apparent tension on the field.
- James Harris' first loss in pre match handball. The tall quarterback has swept all before him in recent weeks with his long ball game, but he found his team on the end of a stunning display of pass and move from Hosken, Midmer and Simmonds. Harris will be looking to get back to his best on his home court at Blenheim.