Reigate: 0
Epsom: 4 (Midmer, P.Atkinson, Murrell, McNamee)
Epsom made the short trip over to Reigate to open their 2013/14 Surrey Hampshire 1 league campaign. This had looked an awkward assignment on paper but Epsom opened up in confident fashion and were soon bossing possession and territory. They eventually broke the deadlock after 20 minutes as a swift move down the left saw Scott Barton play in James Midmer who fired home past the onrushing keeper. Epsom continued to apply pressure throughout the first half but Reigate got numbers behind the ball and defended well, with a few swift counterattacks showing they retained a threat as half time came with Epsom 1-0 up.
The second half saw Epsom again set up camp in the Reigate half and after a few near misses the dam finally cracked on 50 minutes with Paul Atkinson clinically converting a short corner to make it 2-0. Just a few minutes later another short corner saw centre half Ali Murrell fire home a screamer for 3-0 and soon after a well worked attack down the right saw Mike Atkinson cross for Andy McNamee to sweep home for 4-0, effectively ending the tie. Reigate threw men forward in the closing stages but Epsom’s defence, marshalled by Murrell and Tom Tredwell looked solid all afternoon. Epsom could well have added to their tally on the break in the closing stages, but Scott Barton saw two efforts well saved and it stayed 4-0. Epsom next take on Fareham 2s, who also opened with a strong win, at Therfield School on Saturday.