COWHC Men's 3s vs Epsom Men's 5s - 07th Oct 2017

Saturday saw us play against Epsom at "home" in Monks Hill the sandy slow pitch that is it. We knew from last season they are a solid defensive team and that we would need to take our chances in front of goal.

A short trip to Monks Hill and a good solid warm up with two new players Akira and Lewis, Croydon were ready and raring to be let of the leash to sow chaos on the pitch.

Almost identical to last week, we started strong and within minutes managed to get a ball played across goal into space and past the keeper. Having learned from last week, we had a player there ready and waiting to sweep the ball into the back of the net. Mulley swept, the ball didn't change direction! Mulley had somehow missed his chance to put the ball away for an early goal. "Oh God, please don't let this be a repeat of last week" ran through my mind, but equally "we still have 68 minutes left to go and this was our first shot".

For the next 30 something odd minutes Croydon hounded and tested Epsom's defence and keeper repeatedly. Dominating the possession once again shouts from the Epsom of "I have nothing on!" "Don't go that way, it hasn't worked the last 10 times!" "Stop giving the damn ball away!" were being regularly shouted to their teammates as they tried to get out of their half. However much they tried, they didn't once get near our 23 in the first half with Woj putting in an outstanding display of defensive interceptions and his Croydon ability to pilfer just about anything from anyone at any time.

Towards the end of the first half, magic happened, a lovely build up of play, some brilliant linking passes and more importantly, Ben Burke breaking through the last few players, found himself free in the box to shoot. The backboard reverberated with the sound of a goal and Croydon enter half time 1-0 up. Ben Burke 2 goals in 2 matches!

Half time talk of, keep up the work rate they will tire, and finish the open chances, were the theme.

Second half started and I don't know what Epsom put in their half time drinks, but we were playing a different side. Croydon found themselves on the receiving end of some brilliant play from them but again they were unable to penetrate our 23. Time and again they won the ball back in their half, time and again the stalwart defence kept them from getting any shots at goal but we found ourselves on the back foot as Epsom realise a smash and grab raid on the points is possible.

Confusion ran through the midfield as substitution timings (my apologies) were not ideal allowing Epsom to build momentum. Despite these mistakes and momentum we still held our own and were still just as dangerous going forward. Another few open goal misses, another few brilliant saves and last gasp tackles kept Croydon from putting this game to bed.

After 20 minutes Epsom managed to win a short corner after a bit of a melee in the D that had two Epsom players contest for a free ball, Hutch trying to get through to the ball found himself initially shielded from it as he tried to make an intercepting tackle. Ball is lifted up his stick and into his face. Short corner! First one is blocked nicely, but wasn't convincingly cleared, its put back in and onto a defenders foot. Short Corner. Second attempt, the injection was cleaner and the strike crisp. It fizzes just millimeters past Harv's stick and cracks into the backboard. Disaster 1-1.

Rallying call goes out, Croydon compose and settle, we get back into the swing of the game but this time a little more evenly contested. Another few opportunities, open goals, near misses, and saves by the keeper frustrate Croydon for the last 10 minutes.

Final whistle blows 1-1. Epsom come of grinning like Cheshire Cats who have taken the cream knowing they have stolen a point this day with only two shots at goal. It was an outstanding second half display by Epsom, well done. Croydon were left to rue our missed chances.

Goals: Ben Burke
PoM: Woj - for an outstanding game and keeping the Epsom players in his pocket all game.
DoD: Mulley - missed open goal, and second missed open goal by controlling the ball onto his foot. (to be fair, Mulley did have a brilliant game despite these two mistakes)

Thank you to Ewan for umpiring us.