v Epsom Eagles 21/10/07 Lost 1-0

Today we travelled to the leafy suburbs of Epsom to play the Eagles who had beaten us in the final of the Kingstonian’s tournament back in June. This is a team who I expect to challenge Hayes for the League title this season. Although we were narrowly beaten 1-0 this was our best performance of the season and even right up to the final whistle I was confident that we could get an equaliser.

  Turnell returned to the squad this morning for his first game of the season and took his place on the bench. With Leon partnering Matt in the centre of defence we lined up 4-5-1 as I expected us to be under heavy pressure. However we soon reverted back to 4-4-2 as we enjoyed a lot of possession and had the Eagles penned back at times. Epsom took the lead half way through the half when we switched off from a corner and left an unmarked player to turn the ball home. The Whites slightly shaded the first period and created three good chances with John Jo and Lee going close and the home keeper made a triple save as Lee tried to round him with the ball. Ryan also produced a top class save in the first half to thwart the home side.

  The second period was extremely close although we rode our luck at times when the Eagles hit the wood work and had a goal ruled out for offside but we were always in the game as we tried to get Lee and Turnell through. We could not quite break the home defence down and the Eagles held on for a 1-0 victory.

  This was an excellent performance today and I cannot praise the boys high enough for their commitment. Epsom had won their previous two games scoring 11 goals and will be right up there at the end of the season. This is a consolidation season for us and we are improving with every game as the boys get used to each other and playing in new positions. Our goalkeeper Ryan and the defence of Anis, Lewis, Daniel, Ben and Matt were excellent today and hopefully all the work we have put in on the training field is paying off. The midfield of Charlie , Nathan , Paulo , Leon , Jack and John Jo worked their socks off all game chasing and closing down and we must now work on keeping the ball so that the opposition can do that to us. Lee , Turnell and Anthony worked hard all game and were unlucky not to get anything out of the game.

  Next week we face an away trip to Egham to face Manorcroft in an early relegation scrap and we must take todays level of performance to that game.

  Thank you to the parents for your support as ever today and to Bill for running the line. Thanks to Jim and the Eagles for a top class game played in a good spirit we look forward to entertaining you in the return game in a fortnight.

Squad – Ryan , Lewis , Ben , Leon , Charlie , John Jo , Matt , Lee , Anthony , Anis , Nathan , Daniel , Jack , Paulo , Turnell