Epsom: 4 (Midmer, P. Atkinson, M. Atkinson, Barton)
Chichester 2s: 3
Chichester arrived above Epsom in the table, and were soon showing that they were a strong, disciplined outfit with more than enough threat up front. The visitors took an early lead as they turned over a loose Epsom clearance and quickly worked it to a striker to go round Epsom ‘keeper Matt Tuppen and fire home for 1-0. Epsom were on the back foot, but right winger Mike Atkinson was soon starting to have an influence and on 10 minutes he fired in a cross which was deflected up into the path of James Midmer, who volleyed home from close range to make it 1-1. Epsom started to play well after this, stringing together some good moves and winning a number of penalty corners. From the fourth of these, Paul Atkinson converted clinically to make it 2-1 after 20 minutes. Soon after, James Harris robbed Chichester’s playmaker in midfield, drove forward and having exchanged passes twice with Mike Atkinson eventually rolled in the right winger for an open goal. This was a superb counterattack goal which made it 3-1 to Epsom at half time.
The second half started with more Epsom pressure as they sought a fourth goal. However, it would not come and Chichester then enjoyed a bright period of their own, following up a spell of pressure with a deserved second goal to make it 3-2. The game was now becoming very open, and Epsom struck back with a clinical fourth goal, Harris finding Scott Barton in the circle who swivelled and fired home a smart finish for 4-2. With just 10 minutes to go, Epsom retreated in defence of their lead, and they looked to be doing enough until Chichester scored a third goal with just 5 minutes to go to make it 4-3 and set nerves jangling. However, Mike Atkinson was re-summoned from the bench and showed great skills to wind down the clock in the corner for almost the whole of the last 5 minutes.
The win lifted Epsom up to joint third in the table, ahead of a trip to league leaders Old Cranleighans this Saturday.