This game, between two of the highest scoring teams in the division, promised and delivered excitement and goals.  With both sides committed to attack, defences were often outnumbered generating chances at both ends, but Horsley’s greater composure and tidier finishing just sneaked the victory.

From the start Horsley showed good movement and pace in attack, applying sustained pressure.  But Brockham settled and counter-attacked effectively.  Felix Saro-Wiwa’s dangerous runs and Cameron Boychuk’s astute positioning generated good shooting opportunities.

A goal was inevitable and, after nineteen minutes, Saro-Wiwa beat two defenders and struck the ball well from ten yards, easily beating the keeper. In Brockham’s best spell of the game, Saro-Wiwa passed to Sam Lloyd who shot under the keeper, only for the ball to be cleared off the line.  After once again beating three defenders, Saro-Wiwa struck another fierce shot to make the score 2–0.

At half-time Horsley changed tactics to tighten up the midfield, enjoying immediate benefits. Saro-Wiwa was denied space and attempts by Brockham to move the ball through the midfield were often denied by Horsley’s greater tenacity and movement.  Brockham still pushed up, but this put their defence under great pressure.  After only two minutes in the second half, Horsley hit the post, and only timely covering by Chris Walton and good tackles by Tom Charman kept Horsley out.

It took the best goal of the game for Horsley to start their fight back.  A strike from the edge of the penalty area was unstoppable and immediately changed the tone of the match.  Brockham lost some of their composure and shape and Horsley always seemed to have men free as they created many chances. 

Good Brockham counter-attacks initiated by Chris Walton to Sam Lloyd and Luke Brightman were not enough to cause Horsley trouble.  Instead, within two minutes Horsley took the lead with two goals against a stretched defence.

Brockham fought on.  A dramatic goal line stop by Walton and excellent saves by James Rabbetts kept the score down.  At the other end there were several good chances, but when Boychuk hit the post in the last minute it looked as if fate had decreed the outcome.

So it proved.  But Brockham were within a whisker of taking a point off the best team in the division.  With a full squad, and back at the Big Field, it may well be another story.

Squad: James Rabbetts (c), Chris Walton, Tom Charman, Luke Brightman, Sam Lloyd, Cameron Boychuk, Felix Saro-Wiwa

Epsom & Ewell gained possession, strung some passes together and got into the game. Their first attack on the Badgers' goal saw Cameron Wallis make a great double save and some good defending from the whole team ensured nothing was conceded.

Brockham matched their opponents. George Gomes linked up well with Ali Masson and then played a through ball to Luc Jhugroo, whose shot was parried away by the keeper. A great corner by Ali Masson met George Gomes' late run to the front post, but his attempt went just wide.

However, Epsom & Ewell caught Badgers on the break and won a corner, from which they scored. Although a goal down, Brockham continued to battle hard and created several openings, but were unable to capitalise on them. In the dying moments of the first half Badgers won a free kick. Ashley Marshall's shot went over the wall and hit a defender's arm, but the ref did not have a clear view.

Badgers continued to play good attacking football after half-time. Only minutes into the second half, Ashley Marshall hit a shot from Brockham's half and scored a great goal. (Got to be goal of the season!) Now Badgers were level, it inspired them to push further forward. A George Fenwick pass allowed Archie Knight to launch a fierce shot which hit the post and spun on the goal line. However, Ali Masson slid in to make sure it was a goal.

Although down, Epsom & Ewell made a couple of changes, which had a positive effect and levelled the score. This clearly took the wind out of Brockham and they retreated, which allowed Epsom & Ewell to build confidence and they scored two further goals in quick succession to snatch victory.

Squad: Cameron Wallis, George Gomes, Nathan Hughes, Archie Knight, Luc Jhugroo, Lewis Wood, Ashley Marshall (c), Alistair Masson, George Fenwick

Player of the Week: The whole team - great team effort and spirit!