Epsom: 3 (Turnbull, Marfleet, Midmer)
Barnes: 2
Epsom just edged a tight encounter with Barnes to continue their decent early progress in Surrey / Hampshire 1.
Epsom started well with Steve Turnbull firing them ahead after a slick early move, and several short-corners seeing chances to extend the lead Barnes came back strongly in the run-up to half-time and equalized when a quick free-hit from the right sparked chaos and a rebound was snapped up. 1-1 at half time and anyone’s game.
Epsom again started well in the second half and took the lead again at a short corner when Jack Marfleet’s dragflick was stopped illegally on the line; Marfleet converted the subsequent penalty-stroke for 2-1. The remainder of the half was end-to-end and Barnes set up the game for a grandstand finish by converting a well-worked short-corner routine for 2-2. The final stages were frantic as both sides went for the winner and it was Epsom who grabbed it fortuitously as James Midmer scrambled a loose ball home with five minutes to go. Epsom held out for a 3-2 win and will hope to improve again away to Croydon and Old Whitgiftians next week.