Chichester 2s: 0
Epsom: 5 (Jones 3, Vermeulen, Smith)
Epsom swept to a stylish 5-0 win away at Chichester 2s to move up to 7th in Surrey / Hampshire League 1. Epsom started strongly with a flowing early move playing in Scott Jones, who flicked home a smart finish for 1-0. Soon after, a strong aerial from Ben Hildrey set Mike Atkinson away down the right who crossed for Jones to again finish clinically for 2-0. Chichester then came into an open game with a number of short-corners, but on 20 minutes one of these broke-down and Steve Turnbull broke away and fired a superb long ball to left-winger Drew Vermeulen who swept home smartly for 3-0. Epsom threatened further in the run-up to half time with some creative attacking play, but there were no further goals and it was 3-0 at half-time.
The second half saw Epsom continue to enjoy strong possession and territory with the front-line, especially the two 16 year-olds, Scott Jones and Tom Smith, causing problems. Jones again went close early on, Paul Atkinson hit the bar at a short-corner and a fine run from Smith saw him jink infield and flash a reverse-stick shot just past the post. Epsom made it 4-0 on 55 minutes with a fine move; some neat interplay around the circle finding Jones on the left-baseline, who fired a flat cross to Smith stealing in unmarked at the far post to convert. Soon after, Paul Atkinson and Jones combined neatly for Jones to make it 5-0 and complete his hat-trick, just reward for a fine display. Chichester threw men forward in the closing stages but Epsom defended strongly, holding out at some short-corners for a clean-sheet and 5-0 win. They take on Wimborne next weekend at home at Therfield School.
As a side note – Chichester’s new pitch and clubhouse set-up at Chichester Technical College provided a perfect setting; with changing, warm-up and viewing facilities all first-class and post-match hospitality superb. An inspiration for Epsom in their ongoing fundraising efforts to build something similar.