Epsom: 5 (Turnbull 2, W.Hunt 3)
Reigate Priory: 2
A brilliant hat-trick from Will Hunt helped Epsom to a 5-2 win over Reigate Priory on a sunny spring afternoon at Old Schools Lane. Epsom have a poor recent record in this fixture, but they took an early lead when Steve Turnbull was played through, rounded the ‘keeper and slammed home. Soon after, a hopeful through-ball from James Midmer was chased down by Will Hunt who rounded the keeper and then fired home from an almost impossible angle on the reverse, 2-0. Reigate struck back immediately by converting a well-worked short corner for 2-1 and the game was very even in the run-up to half time. The second half was action-packed. Straight from the restart Jack Marfleet brilliantly jinked through almost half the Reigate side to play in Steve Turnbull, whose scuffed finish crept in for 3-1. Soon after, all Johnny Oliver’s dreams came true as Epsom actually switched an attack from left to right and James Hunt’s cross shot was crashed home by Will Hunt on the volley. More skilful work from Marfleet then teed up Will Hunt who was denied by a brilliant save from Reigate’s keeper. Reigate struck back with a short corner which was fired home via a straight strike 4-2. Will Hunt continued to terrorise the Reigate defence, turning the ball over on the half-way line and sprinting the half the length of the field, only to be denied by another strong save from Reigate’s keeper. But soon after, Hunt stole the ball again, sprinted clear and this time slotted home for 5-2. It was no exaggeration to say the Epsom forward could have had five goals on a day when his energy, awareness and finishing was all top class. Epsom have four games left and will be hoping for another good performance away at Haslemere this Saturday.