Steve Turnbull was a constant threat in the second half at Havant
Havant 2s: 2
Epsom: 2 (Turnbull, B.Hildrey)
Saturday 8 October: Epsom travelled to Havant to take on a young, well-organised Havant 2s side in their second Surrey / Hampshire 1 fixture. Epsom handed debuts to James Wilcox and George Jameson and played some stylish possession hockey in the first half. Despite a lot of possession Epsom could not break through and seconds before half-time a defensive lapse let in Havant’s centre-forward who made no mistake slotting past Ed Burton-Brown, who up to that point hadn’t had many touches of the ball. Epsom shrugged off the disappointment and were soon back into stride in the second half. Some sustained spells of possession saw a number of chances created. Steve Turnbull was a constant threat and eventually the South Coast veteran slammed in a short corner to equalise at 1-1. Shortly after, Epsom won another short corner with Havant’s keeper disagreeing with the decision and asked to sit out a 2 minute suspension. Ben Hildrey kept his concentration against a kicking back, slinging home a chivalrously-low dragflick for 2-1. Epsom were now firmly in the ascendancy and had further chances, but couldn’t convert and with just three minutes remaining Havant scored a well-worked counterattack goal for 2-2. The momentum shifted and Havant won their first short corner of the game in the final minute, but Epsom saw it out to take home a hard-fought point. Havant were young, quick this is likely to represent a decent result. Epsom will hope to build on this performance next week at home to Fareham 2s.