Epsom: 4 (Harris, Midmer 2, M.Atkinson)
Fareham 2s: 3
Following a 4-0 opening win away at Reigate, Epsom again took three points at home to Fareham 2s although found it much harder work this time out. Fareham had also won their first fixture and they started confidently as their centre back slung a raking early aerial through to their key forward Nick Cook, who first won and then converted a penalty stroke. Epsom soon rallied and equalised after 10 minutes when James Harris smashed home a short corner rebound to make it 1-1. Epsom subsequently started to engineer a number of chances and James Midmer converted Patrick Persaud’s cross to make it 2-1. Scott Barton then saw two strong shots saved as Epsom continued to fly forward, but two yellow cards disrupted momentum close to half time and meant Epsom were happy to go in 2-1 up.
The second half saw Epsom slowly but surely regain the initiative and a barrage of pressure eventually saw Steve Turnbull’s jinking run set up Midmer to make it 3-1 from close range. The match then quietened down for a while, with Epsom content to soak up pressure and counterattack, but with ten minutes to go Fareham’s captain Ben Connor smashed home a short corner and it was game on again. Epsom responded almost immediately as Mike Atkinson fired home a short corner to make it 4-2, and Scott Barton then slung a dragflick against the post which would surely have sealed the tie. Fareham took advantage of this let off and Connor fired home another set piece with four minutes on the clock to set up a nervy finish. Fourtunately for Epsom they managed to hold on to the ball up to the close and it ended as a 4-3 win. Epsom now travel to Hamble on Saturday for their third game of the season.